The other day I mentioned in a video something about Brandi not eating her food and giving her chicken nuggets instead, and I got some comments about that.
Again, it's no secret that Brandi is our super senior (14+ years old), and sometimes once a dog reaches old age, getting them to eat regularly can become a challenge.
Really, it's no different than us as we age, and Miss Brandi can be pretty picky!
Sometimes I put two or three high-value food down in front of her and feed her from my hand to get her to eat, which can be both concerning and frustrating.
But I have a solution for that!
Enter my homemade chicken nugget snacks.
These snacks are both easy to make, and you'll find that most picky eaters will want to munch on these convenient and healthy snacks.
Heck! Sometimes when Brandi is giving me a hard time, I just break up a few of these on a plate for her, and she eats them all.
Is it a nutritionally balanced meal? No. But it's not bad for her? Not at all, because she is getting something substantial in her tummy.
Let's break down what's in it and why it will do when you are trying to get your old dog to eat something healthy if they don't eat their regular food.
First, the main ingredient is chicken which, provided your dog is not allergic to chicken, is an excellent protein source loaded with several B vitamins, including Niacin (B3), pantothenic acid (B5), B6, and B12, vitamins E, K, and A, Omega 3 & 6, and lots of minerals too.
Next up is oats. Oats are also a great source of B vitamins, fiber, and fatty acids, as well as other vitamins and minerals that help keep an older dog's coat thick and shiny as well as aid with digestion, and it also has proven immune-enhancing properties.
And let's not forget about the ground flax in this recipe. Flaxseed, which just happens to be one of our oldest crops, dating back some 5000 years ago, is a fiber and omega 3 & 6 powerhouse. Most notably, the omega-3 fatty acid in flaxseed is alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which is terrific for dogs with atopic dermatitis. Whatsmore, flaxseed also aids in keeping the immune system strong, which, as we know, can become a growing concern with our older dogs.
And last but certainly not least, the incredible, edible egg. I used to love that commercial when I was younger, and now I have a whole flock of my very own chickens pumping out fresh, organic, free-range eggs from happy chickens every single day for me, my family, and the Woody's Place residents, and boy do we use them up!
Eggs are a great source of vitamins and minerals for our older furry companions. They are high in protein, vitamins, and fatty acids that help support your dog outside and in. You can even throw in the shell if you want because that's an extra boost of calcium. Just be sure the egg is clean.
Oh, and I want to add that not all eggs are great, as I mentioned. Our eggs are fresh daily because we have a little homestead here at Woody's Place Senior German Shepherd Sanctuary. But if you are getting your eggs at the store or elsewhere and want to know if they are fresh. Do a float test.
Don't know what a float test is? Fill a jar with glass and take an egg and gently drop it in the water. If it sinks, it's fresh. If it floats toward the middle, it's old. If it floats toward the top, trash it.
Pro Tip: When mixing the ingredients, mix two eggs and see if you can form a nugget or ball. If the ingredients are too dry, add a third egg.
If you have an older dog who is not eating like he used to, know that you are not alone. It is common for our older fur friends not to want to eat every meal every day like they did when they were younger.
That being said, it is still essential to visit your vet regularly to make sure the cause of his lack of appetite doesn't have a medical basis. If everything checks out medically, it could just mean he needs something different regarding food and snacks, like homemade chicken nuggets. :)
Have fun with this, and remember, your fur friend isn't going to be here forever, so make the most of it now.
To see how to make my Chicken Nuggets for dogs homemade recipe, check out our YouTube channel:
Disclaimer: Not recommended for dogs with known chicken allergies.
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