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My senior dog is losing weight on vet food. What food to switch?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Miniature Poodle | Female | unspayed | 17 years old

My senior poodle had diarrhea and vet placed her on w/d, she has never been overweight and now with this new food she has lost an alarming amount of weight and is very weak How can I transition her to a healthier food and which one would I buy?.

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Joy Fuhrman, DVM, MBA, CPA

Veterinarian

Published on April 13th, 2017

If Prin has had diarrhea she should be on a bland diet such as Science Diet I/D or Purina EN. If Prin is losing too much weight on this new diet, you should consider switching her to something more appropriate. I would recommend giving her a home cooked bland diet of boiled chicken (no skin or bones) and rice for the next week or so. You can then transition her slowly to a higher caloric value food such as the ones mentioned above that will not cause her to have diarrhea. Speak to your vet about the best option for Prin and to rule out any other reason he/she prescribed the w/d.

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    Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    w/d is actually a very good complete food and Prin should not lose weight while on this food. There apparently is another problem which is causing the weight loss. Looking at breed and age there is always a possibility that your dog is suffering from metabolic disease such as diabetes (which does cause serious weight loss) or cancer. Please take Prin back to your vet for a recheck. Your vet will want to do blood tests and possibly x-rays in order to get to the root of the problem.

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