December 14th, 2009 
admin he refuses to eat. I have tried all kinds of food and have made foods. He needs to be on a low protien diet, because his kidney’s are deteriating. I found two healthy ceresls (made for humans) which he is eating. He seems to feel a little better and has a little more energy. He is even gaining back a little weight.
My husband worries that this isn’t good for him.
I love this dog so much and he is so happy to get his food now. I think, since he is dying and this makes him happy, and seems to help him, I should give it to him.
What is your opinion?.
To everyone except Diva, PeggyC, Ginbark & anyone else who may answer this question while I am writing this reply. I adopted my dog from the pound when he was 9 years old. I love and would NEVER allow him to suffer or live in pain. He still gets excited for his short walks. He is such a happy dog and is in less pain than I am and they won’t put me down. I am not the selfish person you think I am. When he reaches the point where he is in pain and our bond is so great that I will know when this is, I will have him put down, but he is not ready to go to doggy heaven yet.
I know you mean well, but your answers were very upsetting to me. You haven’t even seen this dog and evaluated his condition. My vet is very good and he will tell me when it is time, because he also knows and loves my dog.
Tina B
He is about fourteen now. He is a Schnoodle .
Yes, he is on medication. I roll his little pill in a little cheese, put it down, he sniffs it and looks at me. I say p l e a s e and he eats it. He smiles at me. It’s a game he likes to play, making me beg. He is so smart. I’m on oxygen24/7 and he puts his paws on my leash (tube) to try to keep me from going anywhere.
*******************************************
I wish I could choose all seven of the answers that had positive ideas, but I can only choose one. I kept reading them over and over again, after blocking out the ones that meant well , but were not helpful. Please know how much I appreciated the love that poured out for my dog
PM
I wish I had gotten him sooner in his life, but he was nine when I got him from the pound.
Thanks for your kind comments.
Dobiegang
I have tried everything you named, except tuna. Thanks for your underatanding and compassion. Best wishes to you and your dog.
**********************************************
********************************************** I wasn’t allowed to pick earlier and now with more great answers, it is even more difficult. Please do not be hurt if you are not picked. I wish I could pick more than one. Thank you! Thank You!Thank You!
You don’t say how old the dog is. You also don’t say if it’s on meds or if the vet has prescried a prescription diet. There are many foods that treat heart disease and kidney disease. Both kidney and heat disease are the normal course of deterioration for dogs as they get older, so don’t think that you have done anyting. wrong. As far as feeding him cereal, if he’s eating it and gaining weight, go for it. If it’s making him happy, then enjoy it. You don’t know how much longer you’re going to have him for and your memories should be happy ones. There’s very little that we eat that a dog can’t eat. Before we started feeding "dog food", and before dogs were domesticated, they ate what they killed or they foraged and ate vegetation. They instinctively knew what to eat and what not to eat. They also healed themselves. I’m not saying that’s what’s happening here. There’s an ingredient or ingredients in that cereal that the dog wants or needs and by eating it he’s getting it.
As far as him being in pain. Take a picture and look at him. If he’s in pain you’ll see it in the picture. If he’s not in pain it’s my oppinion that he should be left alone and allowed to pass at home. Good luck
Related posts:
Posted in 
I guess I wonder what benefits this dog to be misreable and sick. You should say goodbye to your friend and let him go to doggie heaven where there is no more pain and suffering.
Feed him a big old steak and some gravy and let him live a little.
References :
My opinion is that no animal should be allowed to ’slowly die’. This is something that humans have to suffer, but animals don’t need to go through it.
In your honest opinion, does your dog still have quality of life left? How does his current lifestyle compare to how it was when he was healthy? At this stage I don’t think it’s going to make too much of a difference what you feed him, although generally speaking, a cereal diet is not great for a dog.
I know you love your dog so I hope that you will not cling on to him for your own sake if he is suffering. I also hope you know that the injection for euthanasia is the best way to go – painless, and they just fall asleep. Death from organ failure is slow and extremely unpleasant.
Chalice
References :
vet nurse
I had an elderly Yorkshire Terrier who died a week ago and I also pampered him. Congestive heart failure was his problem as well. His vet had him on Lasix, which caused the lack of appetite. Give him whatever he wants, he may only have weeks to go. Sadly the lasix stopped the coughing but left him with no energy or appetite.
I am sorry for you and your baby.
References :
Ur position seems to be very very sad.I know ur feelings,since i am also a dog-lover like u.U can continue whatever u r giving.There’s no wrong in giving human food.It does not affect the health of ur dog.I am sure.Be confident.Ur dog will be safe.Dont worry.Please email me when he is ok.I will also pray for ur dog.
References :
You say you love your dog then teh truly best thing for him is to put him to sleep.
I kow this can be hard but is it really loving him by allowing him to dye like this. I’m sure he has spent his life making you happy so why would you wnat to put him through this. Just so you can keep him longer whil;e he suffers so.
If you truly love him PLEASE let him go it’s the best for both of you. By feeding him what he likes but isn’t good for him you are only killing him faster I don’t mean for this to be in judging you but think about it. If this isn’t good for him it’s only ging to make his problems worse and in the long run make him continue to suffer.
there is a saying if you truly love them let them go. This is when you need to take heed of this.
Good Luck to you making the right decission and good Luck to your dog.
References :
You must think of the QUALITY of his life not how long he will live. If eating ceral makes him happy so be it. I fed my dying dog Ravioli to get him to eat. Dying from malnutrition takes awhile so feed him what he wants while he is here.
References :
Why are you forcing the poor thing to die SLOWLY????
How selfish can you be?
PUT IT DOWN!
References :
I am surprise that a vet didn’t tell you that this poor little baby needed to be put to sleep and you loving this dog as you say you do didn’t agree with him, but rather brought your dog home to watch it suffer. Anyone that can set there and watch a love one suffer like this doe not love their pet. I don’t care who they are. Trust me your dog is suffering. and no human being would ever let a dog suffer like that. We are in a place now that we don’t have to let our beloved pets suffer..I just can’t think how anyone can watch this. Please put your little one to sleep. Let him have peace .
PS
I have to add this for the sake of the earlier answers here that are getting so many thumbs down..We base our answer on the question that was stated before the Additional Details. All we went by is that her dog was dieing and suffering. If I would have seen the additional Details before I answer this question they I would have answer this question differently I think Chalice did a might fine job on her answer and she gets five thumbs down. Remember she added the additional details after the fact. So easy on the thumbs down alright.
References :
Breeder of Shih Tzu’s
My heart goes out to you, I’ve been where you are with my spitz and had to finally do what was necessary when the time came and the vet was awesome. There are some special foods for renal problems that can be found online or at specialty dog food store. We have one called the Cared for Canine here in Southern Pines, if you call them they can give you the name of the best foods that are the most palatable.
References :
You don’t say how old the dog is. You also don’t say if it’s on meds or if the vet has prescried a prescription diet. There are many foods that treat heart disease and kidney disease. Both kidney and heat disease are the normal course of deterioration for dogs as they get older, so don’t think that you have done anyting. wrong. As far as feeding him cereal, if he’s eating it and gaining weight, go for it. If it’s making him happy, then enjoy it. You don’t know how much longer you’re going to have him for and your memories should be happy ones. There’s very little that we eat that a dog can’t eat. Before we started feeding "dog food", and before dogs were domesticated, they ate what they killed or they foraged and ate vegetation. They instinctively knew what to eat and what not to eat. They also healed themselves. I’m not saying that’s what’s happening here. There’s an ingredient or ingredients in that cereal that the dog wants or needs and by eating it he’s getting it.
As far as him being in pain. Take a picture and look at him. If he’s in pain you’ll see it in the picture. If he’s not in pain it’s my oppinion that he should be left alone and allowed to pass at home. Good luck
References :
GO for it malnutrition is not a factor here, keep him happy while you can. If it make you more secure there are actuall scientific papers that with things that can be recovered from, letting the convlesent have anything (within reason) that can coax the appitite even junk food speeds recovery. Keep him happy while you can …
References :
Hi, Feed him what ever he will eat. The cereal is not the best idea but it’s something and in my opinion better then dog food. At least you know you are not giving him a bunch of toxic crap in a bag. You can also offer him all of your left overs (use common sense… no chili or other spicey foods).
Check into a raw diet. He might be willing to eat some raw meaty bones and organs. Beef liver will be good for him. If you can’t do raw, there are plenty of sites on cooked diets for dogs. Raw is easier though since you don’t have to add supplements.
Given his disease and age.. I say feed him whatever he will eat and if you can get him to eat raw food… this will be very beneficial to his well being. Good Luck!
http://www.rawlearning.com
http://www.rawfed.com/myths/
PS. Contrary to popular belief… a raw diet is NOT any higher in protein then kibbles when you feed a good ratio of bone too. Many people think a raw diet is all protien and it isn’t. Do some research and don’t believe everything you hear on negatives. The only people who bash raw feeding are the ones who have never done it and never researched it.
References :
Raw feeder for 4+ years and very anti kibble!
Your friend may be seriously ill but obviously has the joy of life in him because he still likes his daily walks as well as your company. He will let you know when the time has come, and you will be ready to let him go peacefully then at the vet and hold him and tell him what a good boy he has always been. After all, the two of you have been partners in everything for 14 wonderful years!
References :
Do WHATEVER makes you and your dog happy!!! Enjoy him while he’s still here, and allow yourself time to grieve him when he’s gone. Remember you WILL see him again. Bless you!!
References :
He is eating and gaining his weight back – that is very good. Did you speak to your vet about the food, if it is not good he will tell you. My dog has kidney failure and on medication for the rest of his life. They just like to let us humans beg for them to eat their meat or cheese with the pill in. Good luck with your dog. And yes you will know when it is time to let go. But for know enjoy your dog as much as he is enjoying your company. I know when my dog was diagnosed he did not want to eat – so I gave him rice and chicken (no bones) and my dog was getting his weight back again.
References :
there is a prescription food called k/d, it is made for dogs who have kidney disease. it comes canned or dry.
References :
Hi, First of all I want to say I am sorry your dog is ill & also sorry for the pain you must endure out of the love you have for him.I know exactly how you’re feeling since I too have a dog that has Cardiomyopathy (heart problems) along with Wobblers Disease.She started showing signs of going down hill almost four weeks ago, but still has more good days than bad. She still wags her tail, gives kisses, plays with the other dogs on real good days, but her appetite is poor. I have been cooking white rice and mixing it with either cooked (deboned)chicken or hamburger. She loves it & does eat it. Try cooking him that, I’m pretty sure he’ll love it. I know her days are limited so I have already contacted my vet on the subject of euthanazia, and she has agreed to come to my home when I feel the time is the right time. I also buy baby food (meat or meat & veggies mixed), and canned tuna. I will feed her whatever I can get her to eat. Again I feel your pain & I wish you many more days with your beloved friend!!!!
References :