10,460 answers about dogs
From a puppy’s first feeding schedule to a senior dog’s comfort care, dog owners ask it all — this page gathers the dog library of KinsLe Answers in one place. Browse by topic below, from feeding and training to health, grooming, safety and travel. Every answer is original, written by KinsLe, and tied to a real KinsLe feature.
739 answers in Senior Pets — page 8 of 31
An aging Shiba Inu often becomes even more particular, skipping a meal it judges uninteresting and eating the next with total focus, so single refusals mean less in this breed than a change in the overall pattern. Weight gain still creeps in as the once-restless Shiba patrols less, while other seniors thin as appetite…
An aging Shetland Sheepdog may eat more delicately, startling at a changed routine or leaving food when the household is unsettled, while a quieter senior can still gain weight under that abundant coat. Small dogs show change quickly: a little weight either way is a large share of a Sheltie's body, and appetite dips…
An aging Saint Bernard needs surprisingly little food for its size once growth and activity are long past, so the common change is heavy weight gain on portions that look modest for a giant dog. Appetite may stay gentle and steady, while some seniors eat slowly because standing at the bowl tires sore hips. Even a…
An aging Rottweiler commonly keeps a strong, straightforward appetite while its heavy, muscular body moves less, so weight gain is frequent and hard on already burdened joints. Some seniors eat less on days when stiffness is worst, or slow down because chewing a large, hard kibble is tiring. A Rottweiler's bulk can…
An aging Rhodesian Ridgeback typically stays dignified and self-controlled at the bowl, so obvious begging or food refusal both stand out in this breed. Weight gain comes quietly when a once far-ranging dog's walks shrink but its deep-chested frame still receives athletic portions, while other seniors thin as…
An aging Poodle may become more selective at the bowl, eating smaller amounts and turning away from foods it once accepted, while less active seniors can still gain weight if rich treats continue. Dental soreness is a frequent quiet reason a clever Poodle starts dropping kibble or eating only the soft portion of a…
An aging Pembroke Welsh Corgi often keeps a herding dog's hearty appetite while its short legs and long back pay the price for every extra pound, so gradual gain is the usual change. Some seniors eat less when back or joint stiffness makes bending to the bowl uncomfortable, or when dental wear slows chewing. Because…
An aging Golden Retriever rarely loses enthusiasm for food, so the common change is steady weight gain as walks shorten and metabolism eases, even when portions look unchanged. A smaller group of seniors eat less eagerly when joints ache on the way to the bowl or teeth are sore, and sudden increased hunger with weight…
An aging German Shorthaired Pointer often loses the relentless hunger of its field days as long runs shorten, yet some seniors gain weight quickly once exercise drops while portions stay built for an athlete. Others get leaner as muscle fades along the hindquarters and appetite dips on stiff, sore days. Note how much…
An aging French Bulldog often keeps a keen interest in food while moving far less, so weight creeps up even on unchanged portions, while other seniors eat more slowly or skip meals when teeth ache or breathing feels harder after eating. Watch the waist from above and the effort it takes to finish a bowl, and weigh…
An aging Doberman commonly loses muscle and condition along his topline and hindquarters, changes that show early because his short coat and lean build hide nothing. Appetite may stay strong while weight still slips, or fade in a way that deserves particular respect in a breed where heart health is a central senior…
An aging Dachshund typically keeps a keen, opportunistic appetite while his activity drops, so weight gain is the common senior change, and in this breed it is a back problem as much as a body problem. Every extra pound hangs on a long spine that is already the Dachshund's vulnerable point, making portion honesty a…
An aging Collie, usually the long-coated Rough Collie, often loses muscle and may lose weight gradually, but that dramatic coat conceals both loss and gain so effectively that owners are often the last to know. Appetite commonly softens into a slower, less urgent interest in meals, and a Collie who was always a light,…
An aging Chihuahua can gain or lose on amounts that barely register on a kitchen scale, and both directions matter because his tiny frame and small reserves leave little margin either way. Weight gain usually arrives through treats sized for bigger dogs and a slower, more carried-around life, while appetite often…
An aging Cavalier King Charles Spaniel tends to gain weight gently as activity softens, and keeping him lean matters more in this breed than most because extra pounds add work for a heart that is a known Cavalier concern in later life. Appetite changes deserve equal respect: a Cavalier who becomes picky, tires during…
An aging Bulldog most commonly gains weight, because his appetite stays devoted while his already modest exercise shrinks further, and every extra pound worsens his breathing, joint strain, and skin-fold care. Loss is less typical and more concerning: a Bulldog who stops finishing meals, chews reluctantly, or thins…
An aging Boxer most visibly loses muscle, because that lean, athletic frame shows wasting along the back, hips, and thighs long before the scale moves much. Appetite often becomes uneven too, with a sensitive stomach producing skipped breakfasts or enthusiasm that fades partway through a meal, while weight can drift…
An aging Boston Terrier commonly gains weight as his bursts of play shorten, and on this compact, short-faced breed even a small gain can make breathing and heat tolerance noticeably harder. His appetite usually stays bright and opportunistic, so a Boston who starts leaving meals, chewing awkwardly, or eating then…
An aging Border Collie often gains weight when the work and running that once burned every meal taper off, because his appetite and food focus usually stay sharp long after his joints need less mileage. The opposite pattern also appears: a senior Collie with too little to do may graze, fuss, or eat in restless bursts…
An aging Bichon Frise often gains weight quietly because a small dog needs only a slight daily surplus to widen, while his appetite may seem fussier as teeth, digestion, and routine sensitivity come into play. A few hundred grams is a meaningful change on a Bichon frame, so a coat that looks fluffier is not proof his…
An aging Bernese Mountain Dog commonly eats a little less keenly and loses muscle over the hips and shoulders, even when the thick coat makes the scale look deceptively steady. Because this is a giant breed that ages early, a Bernese who skips meals, struggles to rise after eating, or drops weight quickly is showing a…
An aging Beagle often keeps a strong, scent-led appetite even as walks shorten and naps lengthen, so weight gain is more common than weight loss in the early senior years. That extra weight can hide real muscle loss along the back and hind legs, and a Beagle who suddenly loses interest in food is going against breed…
In an aging Basset Hound, appetite typically does not fade at all; the famous Basset nose and food drive stay fully operational while an already unhurried dog moves even less, so steady weight gain is the most common change of the senior years. That extra load matters because it presses on a long back and short,…
In an aging Australian Shepherd, the common pattern is an appetite that stays keen, or even grows pushier, while activity falls away, so fat creeps on at the waist even as muscle quietly thins over the hips and thighs. Some older Aussies later swing the other way, eating less because of dental soreness, a duller sense…
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