Expert: Jannie Balliett - 3/24/2009

Question
Hi,
My German male boxer Tuff is all of a sudden loosing weight. He eats well, is STILL energetic, no hair lose but is looking thinner than he used to.The vet I take him too says this is just a sign of getting older but I am still concerned.I had a female boxer who lived to be 17 and she did not do this. He has a mate a 9 yr old Great Dane and they are both my babies that are house dogs. Any help

Answer
Lisa, you have been exceptional fortunate to have Boxers live that long.
The average life span is 10 years.

Since he is older, weight loss is not unusual but I would be concerned too.

Dry a different diet. Make sure he is eating a high caloric diet for senors.

Also, add a cup of plain unflavored yogurt to his food each time, 4 times a day. If he isn't on a self-fed eating method- put him on that. Let him eat whenever he wants to.

In addition to adding the plain yogurt to his food, try adding a raw egg mixed in.

You can blend the egg and yogurt in a mixer and then pour it on his food and mix.

Add supplement to his daily routine: bone and joint supplements, vitamins, the like.

Make sure he has comfortable sleeping area, maybe a special orthopedic bed for dogs that are older and that are arthritic.

His diet will help his weight and fatten him up if fed often-- as much as he wants.