How to Help a Senior Dog Gain Weight: 22 Golden Tips

Are you struggling with an older dog that has lost weight, and you can’t seem to put it back on?

In this post, I will share 22 tips to help a senior dog gain weight, from changes in how you’re feeding to new foods to introduce into your dog’s diet for weight again.

But before we get started, you need to know why the weight is lost…

Last Updated: Sept 4, 2023

Disclosure: Some of the links in this article are affiliate links (Amazon Associate or other programs we participate in). As an affiliate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.

What Does It Mean if a Dog Is Losing Weight?

If you already know, feel free to skip to the appropriate section. But if you don’t, keep reading.

It’s not uncommon for an old dog to drop a bit of weight because his appetize changed. It’s also common for an old dog to gain because their activity level has dropped, but not their food type or intake.

Assuming nothing has changed regarding the type of food and amount, weight loss is a concern and warrants a vet visit.

Dogs can lose weight for 6 reasons:

1. They’re not eating/not eating well
2. Eating normally but still losing weight
3. Came from an abusive home where food was denied
4. Lost or stray and had to fend for themselves
5. Depression – over the loss of an animal friend for example
6. You have been unintentionally underfeeding

Do any of these explanations sound familiar? Let’s look at each possible cause of weight loss in a little more detail.

If Your Dog Is Not Eating or Eating Very Little, Possible Causes Are:

• You changed their food and they don’t like it
• Dental problems causing pain
• Diabetes
• Cancer
• Kidney disease
• Cushing’s disease
• Liver disease
• Heart failure
• Pancreatitis
• Recovering from surgery
• Has become a picky eater – possibly due to dementia
• UTI
• Nausea (as a result of some of the conditions above)
• Pain (as a result of some of the conditions above)
• You’ve moved recently, and they aren’t used to the new environment
• Another dog in your home has become aggressive or is bothering them
• Changes within the home are causing them anxiety

If Your Dog Is Eating Normally, but Still Losing Weight Possible Causes Are:

• Parasites
• Hormonal imbalance
• Difficulty breaking down food/trouble absorbing nutrients
• Underlying medical issues like those mentioned above
• Not eating a complete diet
• Not eating enough food

If Your Dog Is Malnourished Because They Were a Stray or Came From an Abusive Home:

If you got the dog from a shelter or rescue group, I assume a vet will have seen the dog.

If they haven’t had a checkup, you must first have them seen urgently. They could be suffering from some severe health issues that require professional care.

If Your Dog Is Not Eating Because of Depression:

Dogs can get depressed just like humans , so it’s up to us to help get them through.

For helpful tips to get your dog feeling better and eating, read this ⇒ “10 Effective Ways to Treat Dog Depression.

If Your Dog Is Losing Weight Due to Being Underfed:

You may have switched brands, and although you’re feeding your dog the same amount or what’s recommended on the package, it’s not enough.

Weight loss can happen gradually, so you may not have realized it until it was obvious.

Please don’t beat yourself up. It can be fixed.

Check with your vet about whether this is really the best food. Also, ask if adding some human food from the lengthy list below will help.

What to Expect at Your Veterinary Appointment

To make your appointment as productive as possible, make a list, in advance, of things you’ve been noticing and bring it with you.

Helpful information to provide your vet includes the following:

• How long ago did you realize your dog was losing weight?
• When you realized it, what did you do? Did you make any changes, like adding an extra meal? What was the outcome of those changes?
• Has your dog’s appetite changed? If yes, when and in what way?
• Have there been any other behavior changes? Aggression, anxiety, whining…
• Has your dog been drinking more?
• Has your dog been peeing more?

During the appointment you’ll discuss your list, and your vet will weigh your dog.

They will want to compare the current weight to previous numbers. It’s likely they will also recommend blood and urine tests.

Once the test results come back, the vet will explain what they found. They will draw up a treatment plan if necessary with the best way to put weight on a dog given what they know about your dog’s situation.

If weight loss is a result of an underlying health condition, getting that condition under control will often resolve the problem.

Since I have no idea what diagnosis your dog will receive, the rest of this post will focus on sharing broad tips and tricks to answer the question of how to help an old dog gain weight.

They won’t all be right for your particular situation, so always consult your vet before trying something new.

22 Ways to Help a Senior Dog Gain Weight

If you have come to this post, there is a good chance you found it searching for actionable advice with a question like: “How to help my dog gain weight.”

After all, we all want to see our senior dogs happy and healthy.

I have compiled a list of 22 ways to get a dog to gain weight. I recommend reading through these options and trying one or two at a time to see if they work specifically for you and your dog.

If they don’t have the desired result, there are many more to choose from.

This is not meant to be a replacement for visiting your veterinarian. Keep an open line of communication going with your vet throughout the process.

Add an Extra Meal

If your dog only eats once a day, add a second meal. Twice daily feedings? Why not add a third!

Eating multiple small meals each day is better for digestion.

When trying to help a senior dog gain weight, don’t feel restricted by your dog’s normal daily calorie intake – this is an opportunity to encourage them to eat a little extra.

Give Them Canned Food

If your dog has eaten dry kibble all their life, their may be bored or unenthused about their meal.

Adding some canned food could add interest and entice them to eat more.

Put Your Dog’s Bowl Where It’s Easier to Reach

Your dog may have trouble reaching their bowl.

One common challenge that older dogs face when eating from their bowl is joint pain, making it difficult to reach down to the food.

Elevating the bowl will make it easier to reach. But don’t elevate it too far where it requires them to stretch their neck.

Add a Food Topper

Whether it’s gravy or freeze-dried chunks of meat, adding a delicious food topper to your dog’s food can entice them to eat more.

Make Mealtime Fun

Most of us have a similar mealtime routine – We just plop the food into the bowl and put it on the floor.

What if we made it more exciting and fun?

Try putting part of your dog’s meal in an interactive toy like a Kong. It’s something new, and they might like the challenge.

You can even try freezing it after filling the toy to make the fun and food last longer.

Putting food in a puzzle toy is another way to change up mealtime.

Switch to a Higher Quality Dog Food

Helping your dog gain weight is more than shoving extra calories down their throat. You know I don’t mean that literally…right?

Scarfing down empty calories or adding too much fat to a diet can cause digestive issues, vomiting and even pancreatitis.

Check the ingredients and nutrients in your dog’s current food closely.

Quality dog food will:

• Contain protein as the first ingredient
• Contain real meat, not animal by-products
• Have a limited list of ingredients (not be a mile long)
• You will be able to understand what the ingredients are (some vitamins have confusing names but the primary ingredients will be listed out – they won’t just say “protein” or “carbs”)
• It will be backed by research, testing, and a qualified professional

Warm Your Dog’s Food

Warming the food slightly in the microwave can help to release the tempting scents and make it more palatable.

You can also try adding warm water to create a delicious-smelling gravy.

Gradually Increase Your Dog’s Exercise

It may seem counterintuitive to exercise an already too-thin dog, but I’m not referring to hiking miles for weight loss.

Taking your dog out more often is not only needed for their physical and mental well-being, but it can also increase their appetite.

Change the Bowl

Believe it or not, one of the tricks senior dog parents use to get their dogs to eat is to change the bowl.

Maybe it’s a different material or a new and interesting shape.

For some senior dogs, like those struggling with vision loss, switching to a plate or mat and eliminating the need to reach past the sides of a bowl can help.

Try a New Flavor

Dog food brands often make their foods in a variety of different flavors.

Your dog may be tired of the same one and welcome a change.

Cut Down on the Treats

Plenty of dogs will ignore their food but practically inhale treats. Cut back – Giving your dog too many treats may leave them feeling “full,” encouraging them to ignore their food.

Also, look at the quality. Many are nothing more than the doggie version of junk food.

If they must get treats, consider making them. There are tons of super easy recipes on Pinterest, and if they are getting nutritious snacks, it’s really just another version of their meal.

Hold the Bowl

The confusion that goes along with dementia often affects your dog’s eating habits. They may not be able to find the bowl, or they find it but aren’t quite sure what to do.

A dog’s sense of smell can also be affected as they age, making it more difficult to sniff out the location of their food.

Holding the bowl up to their mouth can make a big difference.

Try a New Brand of Dog Food

One of the reasons to switch dog food brands is to avoid your dog developing food allergies.

It could also help keep them interested in their meals.

Rotating your dog’s food can also provide a more well-rounded nutrient profile because one dog food may contain something another is missing.

Never just start your dog on a new food. You have to change it over time to avoid stomach upset.

Gradually add the new food, mixing it with your dog’s current food, over about a week until they have completely switched over.

Speak to your vet or find a qualified and experienced canine nutritionist who will help.

Make Homemade Meals for Your Dog

If you want more control over what goes into your dog’s food and the nutrition profile, consider preparing your dog’s meals yourself.

Ask your vet for ideas, or consult a canine nutritionist or holistic vet.

These professionals will offer the best advice about creating nutritionally balanced diets and can recommend beneficial supplements that can be added.

You can find unlimited recipes online, on Pinterest, and in Facebook groups dedicated to home cooking.

Again, you need to be sure they are nutritionally balanced, so seek professional advice before feeding your dog a new recipe.

Bake Canned Dog Food

Another trick that works well for some dogs is baking canned food.

Baking food can change the texture, which your dog may find more appealing. It can also help bring out the food’s flavor and smell.

The length of time you bake it will depend on how soft or hard you want it.

This could potentially impact the nutritional quality of the food, so I would call the company to verify first.

Feed in a Different Location

A change of scenery may make shake up your dog’s routine enough to entice them to eat more.

If you always feed your dog in the kitchen, what about the dining room?

If the weather is good, how about in the backyard or during a break from his walk in the park?

Try Feeding Your Dog by Hand

Hand feeding is another thing that has helped many senior dogs eat more of their food.

I can’t say precisely why it works. After all, it’s the same food.

It could be similar to holding the bowl up, making it easier for your dog to find their food if they are experiencing a loss of vision or smell.

Many trainers recommend hand-feeding a puppy to help build a bond with your dog. Perhaps your dog feels more connected to you and content when you hand-feed him.

The reason doesn’t really matter as long as it works!

Slice up the Salami-Style Roll Food

I have no idea what this type of dog food is called, but you’ve probably seen it in pet supply stores. They come in rolls like salami.

I do know one brand that sells food like this is Red Barn.

Cut them in pieces and feed them to your dog throughout the day.

If they like the taste, they may see it as a treat and be more inclined to eat it. If this works, you may even consider cutting up a day’s supply and feeding your dog this way.

Improve Their Digestive Health

Some old dogs may have trouble digesting their food, so they don’t fully absorb the nutrients they need from their food.

Adding things like prebiotics and probiotics can help your dog digest food better.

Ask your vet for recommendations, or ask other senior dog parents you know. Check with your vet to make sure the brand you’re considering is okay for your dog.

Stop Feeding Senior Dog Food

Most senior dog foods have a lower fat content than adult food. Because old dogs are less active, brands assume they need fewer calories to prevent obesity.

Of course, plenty of old dogs are still very active and have plenty of energy, so senior dog food could worsen your already skinny dog’s problem.

Note: A low-fat diet is needed if your dog has pancreatitis, so a low-fat senior dog food may be appropriate. Always check with your vet before switching.

Add More Protein to Your Dog’s Food

Senior diets may contain lower protein levels due to the belief too much protein can affect the kidneys.

The truth is that it’s more about the quality of the protein rather than the amount.

Here is what PetMd has to say about protein in an article called “How to Feed Older Dogs:”

“Older dogs can… have trouble maintaining their lean body (muscle) mass, and some senior dog foods contain less protein than those designed for young adults. I assume this choice is based on the misguided assumption that lower protein levels will protect an older dog’s kidneys from damage.

In fact, many dogs actually need a little more protein in their diet as they age if they are to maintain a healthy lean body mass. Avoiding excess protein is important if a dog is in kidney failure, but research has shown that feeding reduced protein foods to older dogs “just in case” is a mistake.”

Consider Some Healthy Human Food Snacks or Meal Toppers

Human food can be more nutritious and contain more calories in some cases, but you need to feed the “right” foods.

It may also encourage him to eat more and then put on weight.

So, what human foods are safe to feed your senior dog? Here’s a list of options that could help your senior dog gain weight:

Note: They may or may not be safe for your dog, depending on any health issues they are experiencing, so check with your vet first.

• Boiled chicken breast
• Cod
• Sardines or mackerel in water
• Broccoli
• Green beans
• Peas
• Quinoa
• Raw apple
• Cooked carrots
• Skyr (a type of thick yogurt)
• Cottage cheese
• Scrambled eggs (no oil), could top with a bit of cheese
• Canned pure pumpkin (not pie filling)
• Sweet potatoes
• Ground turkey

…and the list goes on because dogs can eat so many human foods.

Another thing that helps is freezing the chicken water after boiling chicken in ice cube trays, then defrosting and adding it to a meal.

How to Put Weight on a Dog Fast

When trying to put weight on your dog, you may find yourself pushing to put on the weight as quickly as possible.

But focusing on speed may hurt your efforts.

Instead, focus on slow growth over time as long as their weight is trending in the right direction. Think of it like baby steps.

Final Thoughts: How to Help a Senior Dog Gain Weight

If you notice your senior dog is losing weight, contact your veterinarian.

They will run tests to determine if it’s a medical cause. If so, addressing the cause may solve the problem entirely.

However, if your vet rules out any medical reasons, you may need to focus on boosting your dog’s daily calorie intake.

Try the tips above to encourage your dog to eat more while optimizing the nutritional value of any food and treats you give them.

Most importantly, be patient and consistent. The solution may take time, but it’s worth the effort!

Do you have any tips and tricks for how to put weight on a dog? Share your tips in the comments to help other senior dog parents overcome this challenge.