Old Robo - food ideas

[barley]

I don't know how old Joey is, but I've had him two years now and he was from the PAH adoption section, so wasn't a baby when I got him.

Over the past month or so, I've noticed him getting quite skinny looking.

He still eats his mix, but perhaps not enough. He still chews on Whimzees so I don't think there is a dental issue.

I have been giving him soft foods with a drop of the Johnsons vitamin liquid on - scrambled egg, porridge, mashed sweet potato, tinned pumpkin, canned dog food, cottage cheese, soft pasta etc - not all at once obviously but making a little "dinner" every evening. I've tried the Science Selective pellets soaked too but he didn't like those, I still offer then dry (crushed up a bit) and he eats some of those.

I don't know how much food like this I should actually be giving him though? Or whether there is something else / something better I should give him?

Like I say, I don't think there's a dental issue but he's happier eating soft things than his mix.

[cypher]

I don't think there is much else you can offer him barley, it sounds as though you're giving all the things you can.
I'm not sure how much soft food they can have tbh, I think once they really begin to age it's pretty much a case of letting them eat what they want although if they do eat mostly soft food then you do need to keep an eye on their teeth as dental issues might arise just from that but if he's still chewing things like whimzees then that shouldn't be a problem.
I also think it's important to try to maintain a good level of fibre as a lack of that could cause problems too but really all you can do is offer both soft food & dry mix & let them enjoy what they want to eat really.
You could try adding some little bits of chopped nuts, say walnuts & brazils to build him up a bit or at least help maintain weight, provide some extra vits & minerals as well as some fibre.
I wouldn't give too much of the higher protein foods like dog food or cottage cheese as too much protein at that kind of age can be problematic & put a strain on the kidneys.

He's doing really well for his age bless him!

[Pebbles82]

What Cypher said What a little trooper he is. I think it is normal for them to lose a bit of weight when they get older. As long as he seems to be enjoying doing hamstery things then he is just soldiering on xxx If he chews whimzees then maybe you could give him something tasty and crunchy now and then so his teeth keep trim - a bit of dry toast maybe? A cornflake or two? Cereals aren't that healthy really as they have sugar in, but at his age a little of what he enjoys is fine. Charlie used to love cornflakes.

[barley]

Thanks guys, that's really helpful. I'll keep up what I'm doing then, keeping an eye on protein and fibre, and continue offering his mix too.

I forgot to say he likes tiny seeds like a canary mix and chia seeds so I'll keep on giving those and add some finely chopped nuts too and little pieces of cereal too. Oh and he's quite partial to a little piece of multigrain bread too, so I'll try it toasted.

He's never been handable but he's a real little sweetie and it's sad to see him getting old and doddery. He still runs in his wheel but not with quite the same zest he used to! He seems to like making extra cosy nests these day so I add a few pieces of shredded loo roll to his cages every few days which he likes adding to his super comfy bed!

Tonight I had stir fry for tea so put a little piece of red pepper and a bit of a green bean to one side and a piece of noodle before any sauce/garlic/onion was added, and gave him those with a little drop of the Johnsons vits on. He ate the lot so I feel happy knowing he's got something good inside him and then he can pick on his mix as much/little as he wants.

[cypher]

It is always sad to see them age but it sounds as though he's still doing really well & eating a good range of healthy foods, he's a little star

[Pebbles82]

He might like hemp seeds if he likes seeds - they are supposed to contain every vitamin and mineral there is so it will help his condition if he doesn't get all his nutrients from his mix xxx

[Thin Lizzy]

It's always hard for us when our little ones start aging and lose some weight, I found that with Archie so he got a variety of veggie baby foods, scrambled egg and I would sometimes mash his steamed veggies.
Sounds like Joey is still doing good apart from that. What a sweetheart.

[barley]

Hemp seeds sound like a good idea - any idea where I could get those?

Steamed mashed veggies is a good suggestion too!

Tonight Joey had porridge with cooked peas and a tiny piece of cucumber. All eaten and he's nibbling on his mix now too, so it's a happy me today.

[AprilPearl]

I get hemp seeds from Holland & Barret

[barley]

Thanks April!