Better tasting food for a dog with arthritis

January 8, 2012 6:15 PM

Our 10-year old australian cattle dog, Zoe, has arthritis. Right now she eats Hills Prescription Diet for mobility, which her vet recommended. It helps a lot, but we'd like to switch her to another food. Is there a food you would recommend?

I know the Hills is helpful, because when we ran out of the Hill's food once, Zoe started limping because of her arthritis. Once back on the food for a couple days, her mobility returned (she normally doesn't limp at all). She's pretty active for a 10 year old dog, she loves to play fetch though she does get tired more quickly than she used to.

However, Zoe doesn't like the Hills food much. We feed her once a day (two cups - she's a healthy weight), and she isn't excited about the food and often doesn't finish it. Lately we've been mixing it 50/50 with Purina One, and she's much happier - she is more excited about food, she eats more quickly, and she usually finishes her food.

We would consider a food on the more expensive end if it helped Zoe's joints and she really liked the food, but of course cheaper is preferred.

I'm aware that there are a lot of supplements and treats out there. Are they as effective as having a food for arthritis? She will happy take anything in a pill pocket, but doesn't like the arthritis chew supplements we've tried.

So: to sum up, dog with arthritis, seeking a new food, what are our best options?

If you have other advice about caring for an older dog with arthritis, I would also be happy to hear it!

posted by insectosaurus to Pets & Animals (22 answers total)

Costco's "Natures Domain," allegedly made by Taste of The Wild. We buy the Salmon at about $35 for a 35lb bag. It is well regarded by dog people.
posted by bz at 6:36 PM on January 8, 2012

I don't know about arthritis, but my senior dog is thriving on home made food. I split it half and half with kibble. I had initially put her in a raw food diet, and that is when her coat started to shine and her energy went up, but couldn't sustain the raw food for practical reasons. I am sure there are home cooked diets that might be geared for arthritis if you look for them. Also, with cooked food it is much easier to hide supplements in them, as dogs tend to wolf it down.

Personally, with the changes I see in my dog, I will never go back to kibble.
posted by Vaike at 6:37 PM on January 8, 2012

Lots of options for food (I feed mostly raw for one of mine and home cook for the other), but go grain-free. More importantly, supplement with glucosamine and fish (salmon or sardine) oil daily. More info here. Lots more available from a good vet or looking on the web.
posted by vers at 6:53 PM on January 8, 2012

Turmeric for dogs looks to be very promising for arthritis and a host of other ailments.

Maybe this would help your dog's arthritis and the Science Diet food would not be necessary. There is a lot of interesting information on the web about turmeric. It is readily available on the spice aisle of most groceries.
posted by JujuB at 7:05 PM on January 8, 2012

Try just spiking the Hills? When my wife and I had an old bear dog who was on a Hills kidney-friendly dry feed, we'd save the carcass and trimmings from our chickens, turkeys, roasts, etc., and boil them for stock. Add a quarter-cup of stock to *anything* and he'd eat it with delirious happiness. It was quite inexpensive and everyone was better off.
posted by introp at 7:23 PM on January 8, 2012

I recall a friend discussing glucosamine for their older dog with hip displaysia but have no idea what sort of dosing amounts they used. They just bought supplements at the drugstore.
posted by phearlez at 7:31 PM on January 8, 2012

Both of my large breed dogs (black lab and golden retriever) have been on glucosamine/chondroitin and fish oil twice daily since they were puppies and it has absolutely helped fend off the encroachment of arthritis.

My other suggestion will be to go to a raw diet if you can. Raw veggies and fish/chicken and/or cattle organs are great ways to go. I think that the majority of bagged dog food is a major source of the health issues most dogs encounter.
posted by tgrundke at 7:40 PM on January 8, 2012

My mother swears by Sashas Blend for her dog when he had arthritis and he made it to 18 yo without too much pain, her current dog has a luxating patella and is on this with every meal to help, which it seems to be doing. Dogs love it and I've used it to get a dog I had going through Chemo that was uninterested in food wanting to eat again. You could mix it with the Hills to make it more palatable.

I don't have any links to the product or that site, I have just heard very good things about it.
posted by wwax at 7:53 PM on January 8, 2012

My dog eats a lot of my leftovers mixed in with her kibble. Stocks, rice, chicken skin & c. She loves it and is a happy, healthy dog with healthy skin, coat and teeth. Just be sure to avoid onions and other foods that are not healthy for dogs.
posted by kamikazegopher at 8:07 PM on January 8, 2012

Try dousing the Hills in gravy or meat-based sauce. That's how I won my dogs over on Hills Science Diet.
posted by vizsla at 8:21 PM on January 8, 2012

The folks that say to spike the Hill's with broth are on target. The reason this food helps the arthritis is because it's specially formulated to deal with that specific problem. Other foods are not set up for this. As you noticed, she's much better on the food than off of it. If she can do as well with a mix of the Hill's and another food, then you can do that as well. You can also ask your vet about glucosamine & chondroitin and see if he/she thinks that will work as well. Hill's puts a ridiculous amount of research into their foods, and we've had good, consistent health in our dogs and cats on this stuff.
posted by azpenguin at 8:46 PM on January 8, 2012

I find that our dogs (Border Collies) eat better when we add some liquid to their dry food. Usually I just top the bowl up with tap water, but occasionally use milk that's near it's best before date or leftover stock, sauce from whatever we've had for dinner.
posted by mule at 10:42 PM on January 8, 2012

I agree with spiking the current food with broth or other super delicious foods (natural peanutbutter?)

If you decide to switch brands, a good natural pet food store will give you free samples to try out the taste before committing to a whole bag.
posted by vitabellosi at 3:06 AM on January 9, 2012

My 75 lb Lab/Dal mix is 16 1/2 years old. I don't know how he does it. But he's been on Eukanuba Lamb and Rice forever. (Senior formula, but I believe it'd just the same stuff as the other Lamb and Rice, just smaller bites than the Adult and Large Breed has). He's also taking metacamp every few days, but other than that food, he doesn't get any special treatment.

Vet says he's healthy aside from the arthritis, which has got both his back legs and hips now. But he still gets around and can go outside to do his business without any help whatsoever.

We have been mixing in some wet Nature's Choice with his food, but started that more as a 'treat' given his age now.
posted by rich at 4:13 AM on January 9, 2012

The benefit in j/d is the Omega Fatty Acids (which you can add by purchasing a high quality supplement like Eicosaderm) and the glucosamine (which you can add by purchasing a high quality supplement like Dasuquin). Find a high quality diet she likes (Purina One is not really high quality), there are a ton of posts about that subject here, but basically, if cost is a concern, Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach has decent ingredients for the price. Purchase the supplements she needs separately.
posted by biscotti at 4:49 AM on January 9, 2012

Well, us crazy animal people (hi!) are going to point out that with Hill's mobility food, the number one ingredient is still corn. (Followed by "Chicken By-Product Meal"). Then we'll point out that dogs are carnivores and aren't often found munching on corn. (God, we're so annoying!)

My pet food store named Weruva food of the year. It's, you know, meat and vegetables. And with animals that need joint help, there's supplements you can give or add to meat-based natural foods.

Things to consider: with animals with medical conditions, as much actual meat as you're willing to toss them is helpful. (We often pick up a pre-roasted organic chicken from Whole Foods, and skin it for them and toss chunks in with their dinner, on the principle that I'm too lazy to actually cook for animals, because I'm not THAT far gone.) And we'll say that your dog likes the Purina One in the same way I like a Big Mac once a year, basically.

I would really encourage a visit to your local hippie pet store. They'll be like "arthritis? Throw in some blueberries with their food and this glucosamine and *whatever hippie thing is hot now*." And they'll likely be right. Try Urban Pet in LA, sounds like.
posted by RJ Reynolds at 4:51 AM on January 9, 2012

Before a major diet change, I'd take the Hills Prescription Diet and just pour some cod liver oil or salmon oil over it. It's good for coats and joints and it is fishy so it makes whatever you pour it on 100% delectable for dogs.
posted by DarlingBri at 5:23 AM on January 9, 2012

Talk to your vet? You should be careful about spiking the food with anything rich. Too much protien is not a good thing, especially in an older dog who already has creaky joints.

I have a dog that would hire people to kill me if he thought that would result in him eating more peas. He would live on peas (and cat poop and dead squirrels) if he could. Fortanately for his long-term health, he is not in charge of what he eats.

There are probably a variety of things your dog really likes and you can vary the spike-treats to make sure he's still getting (and absorbing) what he needs.

Your vet may have some recipies for foods you can make and freeze ahead - and then you can feed 3/4 Hills and 1/4 home-made.

Also, does he need to eat twice a day? Depending on his size and where you live (weather) and other factors two meals may or may not be the best way to go - and one meal is easier than two.
posted by Lesser Shrew at 8:03 AM on January 9, 2012

You don't need to keep feeding Hill's, just supplement with glucosamine/chondroitin and some omegas. That's what is helping your dog do better on the diet, there's nothing else special in the ingredients.

My arthritic dog did well with Zuke's Hip Action as a supplement (we fed her Wysong). Our dog loved them, and it really made a difference for her. If we ran out she would get ouchy in about a week, and feel better once we got more Zuke's.
posted by oneirodynia at 10:39 AM on January 9, 2012

When our Aussie Cattle Dog and our Heeler went off their feed we mixed a little cream of chicken soup into the kibble and they scarfed it right up. It seems to be just the right favor enhancer and extra special scent to light up an otherwise dull palate. Just a tablespoon is all you need.
posted by Old Geezer at 10:42 AM on January 9, 2012

The benefit in j/d is the Omega Fatty Acids (which you can add by purchasing a high quality supplement like Eicosaderm) and the glucosamine (which you can add by purchasing a high quality supplement like Dasuquin).

I have to agree with Biscotti with this statement. When you really look at the ingredients of Hills you will scratch your head trying to figure out why you’re paying so much for corn fillers and poor quality supplements that you can simply add separately. I am always astounded that vets recommend Hills and not just the specific ingredients that you’re in need of. Rumor has it that Hills gives big bucks to vet schools, and it’s in turn sold exclusively and promoted by vets. This isn’t something I have confirmed with my vet, but honestly, if you read the ingredients your going to ask yourself what is so great about this food?
Use the food your dog is currently on now, and add what people have been recommending here such as Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulfate, Omega Fatty Acids (salmon oil) , Vitamin E, Selenium, and MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane) all help in decreasing inflammation and improving the body's ability to repair and strengthen tissues. Just find the higher quality human grade supplements.

Good luck!
posted by brinkzilla at 11:41 AM on January 9, 2012

Too much protien is not a good thing, especially in an older dog who already has creaky joints.

This is no longer considered to be the case. Older dogs need lots of high quality protein, not low protein.
posted by biscotti at 2:59 PM on January 9, 2012