When Your Senior Raw Fed Dog Is Refusing to Eat

• Posted on 8 November 2025
• By Heidi Hammer
• Posted in Bowl Boost, Pet Nutrition, Senior Dog
• 0

When your previously enthusiastic raw fed senior dog starts losing their zest for food. Here we present strategies and tips to help...

There is nothing more worrisome to dog owners as when their number one friend decides to balk at food, the very thing they love and live for!  Today we present tips and strategies to bring that zest for food back and when to head to the vet for further testing. 

As always, please fully research appropriate proteins/strategies for your senior dog!  Every dog is different!  These tips are specific to raw fed dogs. 

Ways to Put Weight Back On - Try More Frequent, Smaller Meals

  1.) Increase fat intake

1/2 teaspoon per 10# of body weight: any history of pancreatitis, SKIP pork fat, duck fat and chicken skin

2.) Increase Bioavailable Protein

Aim for 1/4 - 1/3 of the bowl from meat/tripe combo

3.) Add Metabolic Support (foods that help the body use calories)

If unexpected weight loss for no reason check the following:

 If digestion seems off: apple cider vinegar 1/2 teaspoon mixed into food 4X per week

Toppers for fast gain + little digestive upset:

(Most senior dogs will bounce back on 1-2 of these per day)

Behavior Cues to Watch
If a senior dog eats raw enthusiastically but walks away before finishing, that often signals:

Try these suggestions: 

Scent First Strategy:
Warm the food slightly on the stove for 5-10 seconds (not microwave). Raw should stay cold but SMELL STRONGER - that’s the trick!

Add a HIGH DRIVE TRIGGER:

“Sit and Hand Start:”
(for many seniors)

Switch Textures not brands:

For 24-72 Hours:

If nothing works, this can be a medical “red siren”
A raw fed dog completely refusing food is one of the most reliable signs of:

Other clues:

Get Bloodwork Immediately (CBC + Chem + SDMA + Full Thyroid panel - NOT just T4 only)

A raw fed dog refusing food is not a behavior problem - it’s information. Either: