Food transition for 13 year old dog

[DebbieZ]

My 13 year old female 29 pound Goldendoodle, Belle, was eating the Honest Kitchen grain free beef kibble for the past 3 years or so. Over the past two years, she started having high liver enzymes and protein in her urine and gaining weight (22 pounds to 29 pounds). A couple months ago she started sleeping restless and lightly at night and sleeping very deeply during the day and also whining in the evening for what I thought was more food, but it didn't seem to be that.

I have switched her to the Honest Kitchen Wholemade Grain Free Beef (this is their dehydrated food) and she seems to be doing better on this. She also eats banana and kale and spinach. I started her on some sardines at dinner, and today added sweet potato in the afternoon. She is sleeping better at night and more awake during the day.

I am guessing the goal is to get her off the Honest Kitchen food? I am vegan so I am not sure about doing raw beef for her, it makes me nervous handling it. Can sardines or salmon serve as Belle's protein source? I am also not sure how much to feed her. It also looks like I would need to add a calcium supplement as well?

BEAM - she sleeps a lot of the day, but seems to be sleeping better at night now and awake more during the day, now that I have changed her food from kibble to dehydrated and also added sardines. Her appetite is good, but she is now so excited at these new foods that she is too vocal (barking) about wanting food every time I go in the kitchen to make my own food, and she never used to do this and I don't know what to do about it. She is a friendly dog and likes other dogs and people and likes to be pet. She sometimes has accidents in the house, especially when I leave.

Health concerns - high liver enzymes, protein in urine, weight gain over last 2 years, panting at night, increased hunger in afternoon/evening. She was tested for Cushings by a conventional vet about 1.5 years ago and it was negative. Recent urine testing showed cortisol level of 31.

Past treatment - two months ago the recent urine test showed cortisol of 31 so the vet thought she would get cushings and started her on Melatonin and Lignans and I only gave one night because it kept her up the entire night and that is what started the sleep issue she was having of sleeping lightly/up a lot at night and sleeping deeply all day.

Current treatment - none

Recent lab work is attached from the holistic vet.

Vaccine history - she was vaccinated annually until about 5 years ago and then I realized vaccines were not good and I stopped, but she did receive the required rabies vaccine 3 years ago. I am not planning to get anymore vaccines for her.

@Dr. Jeff
@Dr. Christina
@Dr. Jean Hofve

 

[HA! Support]

@Dr. Jeff @Dr. Christina @Dr. Jean Hofve

 

[Dr. Jeff]

Hi Debbie-

Thanks for making your first post about Belle.

I am guessing the goal is to get her off the Honest Kitchen food?

Ideally, yes. Onto a fresh (not ultra processed) food.

Can sardines or salmon serve as Belle's protein source?

Yes! Whatever works best for you and her.

Perhaps crock pot (low and slow cooking) meals based on sardines or salmon (which are "coincidentally" the foods my own kitty is eating today).

How about Small Batch sliders? It's an easy to find good, frsh food.There's no preparation need except for defrosting.

awake more during the day, now that I have changed her food from kibble to dehydrated and also added sardines

Excellent! That tells us that her Vitality (and mitochondrial function) is just waiting for more fresh food.

BTW-Her lab results loook great. The mildly elevated ALT and ALP are not a problem. They are just another indicator (along with her BEAM) that she could use some energetic re-balancing.

Out of curiosity, I added your post to Sage (our AI concierge available to VIP members) to see what she would say. Here's what she wrote:
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Thank you for sharing such a clear picture of Belle—great job moving her from kibble to higher‑moisture food and adding sardines; her improved night sleep and daytime alertness are encouraging BEAM shifts.

Big-picture goals based on our nutrition guidance

• Move up the Food Vitality Scale as far as you comfortably can: raw is most vital, then gently cooked fresh food, then freeze‑dried/dehydrated, then canned, with kibble last.
• Balance over time with variety, moisture, and appropriate calcium if you are not feeding bone-in meals.

If you prefer not to handle raw

• A gently cooked, home‑prepared diet can deliver most of the same benefits as raw when varied and properly supplemented.
• Commercial fresh or lightly cooked complete diets are good “bridge” options.

About using fish as the main protein

• Sardines/salmon are excellent toppers but not ideal as the sole, long‑term protein due to imbalanced fatty acids, mineral load, and thiaminase concerns (in some fish).
• Aim for rotation of proteins (e.g., turkey, chicken, beef, lamb, pork, eggs, and low‑mercury fish like sardines). If you’d like to stay fish‑forward, keep fish to ~10–20% of weekly calories and rotate other land proteins.

Simple, vegan‑friendly handling tips

• Choose human‑grade, pre‑portioned, lightly cooked/frozen complete diets to minimize handling.
• If preparing at home, you can cook meats thoroughly; nutrition remains strong when the rest of the diet is fresh and varied.

Calcium and balancing

• If you feed muscle meat and organs without edible bone, add calcium. Options we recommend: finely ground eggshell powder or seaweed‑based calcium. Dose per product directions (typical ballpark: about 900–1,000 mg elemental calcium per pound of boneless meat).
• If using complete commercial raw/fresh foods with ground bone, you usually don’t add extra calcium.

Portion guidance and weight

• For a 29 lb senior who gained on kibble, start around 2–2.5% of current body weight per day in fresh food (about 9–12 oz total/day), then adjust every 1–2 weeks based on body condition and BEAM.
• Split into 2 meals; add warm water/broth to each meal for moisture and satiety.
• Use low‑calorie, high‑vitality add‑ins for volume if she acts hungry: steamed/cooked non‑starchy veggies (zucchini, green beans, broccoli, leafy greens). Keep starches (sweet potato) modest while trimming weight.

Liver enzymes, proteinuria, panting, evening hunger

• Diet upgrade and fish‑based omega‑3s (sardine/anchovy oil) are supportive. Consider CoQ10 and a high‑quality antioxidant blend (Vitamin C++ style) from reputable brands noted in our resources.
• Calm-evening routine: earlier dinner, then a small, moisture‑rich “mini meal” later if needed (mostly lean protein + veggies) rather than extra starch.
• Keep a daily journal of BEAM, thirst/urination, panting timing, and any accidents; these clues help your holistic vet fine‑tune care.

Easy starting plan (cook-friendly)

• Base: rotate complete, gently cooked/fresh commercial diets (beef, turkey, chicken) without fillers; or home-cook simple batches (meat + 5–10% organ + 20–30% veggies) and add calcium supplement.
• Fish: sardines in water 2–4 times/week as a topper; add a small daily omega‑3 if not using fish that day.
• Veggies: continue kale/spinach in small amounts; rotate in zucchini, green beans, broccoli. Lightly cook and mince.
• Treats: lean meat bits, crunchy veggies; avoid high-calorie biscuits.
• Probiotics/enzymes: add a reputable probiotic and digestive enzymes during the transition; rotate probiotics over time.

About barking for food

• Predictable schedule and calm structure help. Prep her meals out of sight; cue a settle behavior (mat or bed), reward quiet with low‑cal treats or affection after a short wait, gradually lengthen the quiet interval. Consistency reduces “kitchen excitement.”

Monitoring and next steps

• Recheck weight monthly; aim for slow loss toward her prior leaner weight.
• Share stool quality, thirst, nighttime panting, and urine protein trends with your holistic vet. If you move beyond dehydrated to gently cooked/fresh, you may see further gains in energy, coat, and digestion.

If you’d like, I can suggest 2–3 specific complete cooked/fresh brands and a one‑week menu with amounts tailored to 29 lb and weight‑reduction goals. You’re on a great path—each fresh, varied, moisture‑rich step can help Belle feel brighter and more balanced."

 

[Dr. Jean Hofve]

Hi Debbie! I'm not the dog expert here, but I have a couple of thoughts coming from a little bit different angle.

The liver enzymes are mildly elevated, which is a real thing, but not alarmingly so. The urine protein is odd given that her kidney values are normal.

Honest Kitchen is a very reputable company and they make good quality products--one of the very few truly human grade foods out there. It is not highly processed. It isn't exactly raw, but it's dehydrated at low temperature. While I agree that ultimately a fresher diet is ideal, you don't *have* to rush to switch off of it. Since you just changed her food, maybe wait a week or two to see how she does with that before making more big changes. Dr. Jeff's suggestions are the way to go when you're ready.

I will say that Honest Kitchen diets are quite high in carbs, and you are adding even more carbs with the veggies/sweet potato. Maybe ease up on that a bit. Sardines are great, the Omega-3s are fabulous but she's not a big dog so go moderate on the fat.

While she's still on the HK, maybe add a little more meat and less plant foods, especially banana, which is high in fructose (hard on the liver). Meat doesn't have to be raw if you are not comfortable with that, lightly cooked or even deli meat like chicken breast or turkey slices would be a great start.

I wonder, since she seems hungry so much, is she maintaining her weight? Maybe she just needs a bit more to eat, as long as she doesn't gain weight (with adding protein only that would be unlikely). Older dogs don't digest as well, so maybe she's just not getting the nutrients she needs from what she's consuming. Have you tried adding digestive enzymes to help her get more of the goodies from her meals?

 

[DebbieZ]

Hi Debbie-

Thanks for making your first post about Belle.

Ideally, yes. Onto a fresh (not ultra processed) food.


Yes! Whatever works best for you and her.

Perhaps crock pot (low and slow cooking) meals based on sardines or salmon (which are "coincidentally" the foods my own kitty is eating today).

How about Small Batch sliders? It's an easy to find good, frsh food.There's no preparation need except for defrosting.

Excellent! That tells us that her Vitality (and mitochondrial function) is just waiting for more fresh food.

BTW-Her lab results loook great. The mildly elevated ALT and ALP are not a problem. They are just another indicator (along with her BEAM) that she could use some energetic re-balancing.

Out of curiosity, I added your post to Sage (our AI concierge available to VIP members) to see what she would say. Here's what she wrote:
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Thank you for sharing such a clear picture of Belle—great job moving her from kibble to higher‑moisture food and adding sardines; her improved night sleep and daytime alertness are encouraging BEAM shifts.

Big-picture goals based on our nutrition guidance

• Move up the Food Vitality Scale as far as you comfortably can: raw is most vital, then gently cooked fresh food, then freeze‑dried/dehydrated, then canned, with kibble last.
• Balance over time with variety, moisture, and appropriate calcium if you are not feeding bone-in meals.

If you prefer not to handle raw

• A gently cooked, home‑prepared diet can deliver most of the same benefits as raw when varied and properly supplemented.
• Commercial fresh or lightly cooked complete diets are good “bridge” options.

About using fish as the main protein

• Sardines/salmon are excellent toppers but not ideal as the sole, long‑term protein due to imbalanced fatty acids, mineral load, and thiaminase concerns (in some fish).
• Aim for rotation of proteins (e.g., turkey, chicken, beef, lamb, pork, eggs, and low‑mercury fish like sardines). If you’d like to stay fish‑forward, keep fish to ~10–20% of weekly calories and rotate other land proteins.

Simple, vegan‑friendly handling tips

• Choose human‑grade, pre‑portioned, lightly cooked/frozen complete diets to minimize handling.
• If preparing at home, you can cook meats thoroughly; nutrition remains strong when the rest of the diet is fresh and varied.

Calcium and balancing

• If you feed muscle meat and organs without edible bone, add calcium. Options we recommend: finely ground eggshell powder or seaweed‑based calcium. Dose per product directions (typical ballpark: about 900–1,000 mg elemental calcium per pound of boneless meat).
• If using complete commercial raw/fresh foods with ground bone, you usually don’t add extra calcium.

Portion guidance and weight

• For a 29 lb senior who gained on kibble, start around 2–2.5% of current body weight per day in fresh food (about 9–12 oz total/day), then adjust every 1–2 weeks based on body condition and BEAM.
• Split into 2 meals; add warm water/broth to each meal for moisture and satiety.
• Use low‑calorie, high‑vitality add‑ins for volume if she acts hungry: steamed/cooked non‑starchy veggies (zucchini, green beans, broccoli, leafy greens). Keep starches (sweet potato) modest while trimming weight.

Liver enzymes, proteinuria, panting, evening hunger

• Diet upgrade and fish‑based omega‑3s (sardine/anchovy oil) are supportive. Consider CoQ10 and a high‑quality antioxidant blend (Vitamin C++ style) from reputable brands noted in our resources.
• Calm-evening routine: earlier dinner, then a small, moisture‑rich “mini meal” later if needed (mostly lean protein + veggies) rather than extra starch.
• Keep a daily journal of BEAM, thirst/urination, panting timing, and any accidents; these clues help your holistic vet fine‑tune care.

Easy starting plan (cook-friendly)

• Base: rotate complete, gently cooked/fresh commercial diets (beef, turkey, chicken) without fillers; or home-cook simple batches (meat + 5–10% organ + 20–30% veggies) and add calcium supplement.
• Fish: sardines in water 2–4 times/week as a topper; add a small daily omega‑3 if not using fish that day.
• Veggies: continue kale/spinach in small amounts; rotate in zucchini, green beans, broccoli. Lightly cook and mince.
• Treats: lean meat bits, crunchy veggies; avoid high-calorie biscuits.
• Probiotics/enzymes: add a reputable probiotic and digestive enzymes during the transition; rotate probiotics over time.

About barking for food

• Predictable schedule and calm structure help. Prep her meals out of sight; cue a settle behavior (mat or bed), reward quiet with low‑cal treats or affection after a short wait, gradually lengthen the quiet interval. Consistency reduces “kitchen excitement.”

Monitoring and next steps

• Recheck weight monthly; aim for slow loss toward her prior leaner weight.
• Share stool quality, thirst, nighttime panting, and urine protein trends with your holistic vet. If you move beyond dehydrated to gently cooked/fresh, you may see further gains in energy, coat, and digestion.

If you’d like, I can suggest 2–3 specific complete cooked/fresh brands and a one‑week menu with amounts tailored to 29 lb and weight‑reduction goals. You’re on a great path—each fresh, varied, moisture‑rich step can help Belle feel brighter and more balanced."

Thank you so much @Dr. Jeff for all of this very helpful information and for the AI information, I really appreciate it!

You mentioned that sardines and salmon are fine as the only protein if I get her off the Honest Kitchen, but the AI said it was not okay, so I am confused. The AI also says to just give sardines 2-4 times a week, but I have been giving her a little each night (1/3 of the 4.4 ounce can per night), is that okay?

I did forget to mention that she has never been able to have chicken without getting a lot of diarrhea, since she was a small puppy even, so I have also never given her turkey. So her life she has only had beef or fish.

I looked at the Small Batch sliders, I see they have frozen raw and fresh lightly cooked and freeze dried raw. Are all these options better than the Honest Kitchen dehydrated one I started giving her? I am a bit nervous since they contain wheatgrass and I have celiac so my house is completely gluten free here.

I am happy to hear that her lab results are not a problem and that energetic rebalancing can solve the liver enzymes.

 

[DebbieZ]

Hi Debbie! I'm not the dog expert here, but I have a couple of thoughts coming from a little bit different angle.

The liver enzymes are mildly elevated, which is a real thing, but not alarmingly so. The urine protein is odd given that her kidney values are normal.

Honest Kitchen is a very reputable company and they make good quality products--one of the very few truly human grade foods out there. It is not highly processed. It isn't exactly raw, but it's dehydrated at low temperature. While I agree that ultimately a fresher diet is ideal, you don't *have* to rush to switch off of it. Since you just changed her food, maybe wait a week or two to see how she does with that before making more big changes. Dr. Jeff's suggestions are the way to go when you're ready.

I will say that Honest Kitchen diets are quite high in carbs, and you are adding even more carbs with the veggies/sweet potato. Maybe ease up on that a bit. Sardines are great, the Omega-3s are fabulous but she's not a big dog so go moderate on the fat.

While she's still on the HK, maybe add a little more meat and less plant foods, especially banana, which is high in fructose (hard on the liver). Meat doesn't have to be raw if you are not comfortable with that, lightly cooked or even deli meat like chicken breast or turkey slices would be a great start.

I wonder, since she seems hungry so much, is she maintaining her weight? Maybe she just needs a bit more to eat, as long as she doesn't gain weight (with adding protein only that would be unlikely). Older dogs don't digest as well, so maybe she's just not getting the nutrients she needs from what she's consuming. Have you tried adding digestive enzymes to help her get more of the goodies from her meals?

Thank you so much for all of this very helpful information @Dr. Jean Hofve , I really appreciate it!

I am glad to hear I do not have to rush off the Honest Kitchen and that it is a good quality. It is very good to know it is high in carbs though so that I need to be careful about the sweet potatoes and bananas (which she loves both).

Would you think that 1/3 of a 4.4 ounces can of sardines per day right now while she is still on Honest Kitchen is okay?

I did forget to mention that she has never been able to have chicken without getting a lot of diarrhea, since she was a small puppy even, so I have also never given her turkey. So her life she has only had beef or fish.

 

[Dr. Jeff]

but the AI said it was not okay, so I am confused.

Good catch! That's because Sage knows to give you the most conservative way to start with any diet transition.

Every home-prepared diet needs to be balanced. That is, if you are only using one recipe for long periods of time, e.g meat/poultry/fish + veggies in a slow cooker. Here's one example:

https://fourleafrover.com/products/meat-mixer-homemade-dog-food-base-mix

Are all these options better than the Honest Kitchen dehydrated one I started giving her?

Regarding the amount of vitamin V, yes. Vitality is highest in fresh food. Even compared to HK or freeze dried "raw" foods.



However, use whatever works best for you and Belle an individuals.

 

[DebbieZ]

Thank you @Dr. Jeff Since Dr. Hofve said that HK is heavy in the carbohydrates, perhaps during the transition I should give Belle less of it - like just at breakfast. Then at dinner give the fresh sweet potatoes and other vegetables and increase sardines to 1/2 can.

 

[NancyK]

I have a couple thoughts to consider.

If you starting feeding large amounts of sardines or canned salmon with bones (vs as a topper), these are both very high calcium because they contain bones which are a natural source of calcium. This means you may have to reduce or eliminate the calcium supplement on days you feed them as the main protein source. They can also be very high sodium if canned which may not matter as much as a topper but will if fed in larger amounts. They do have canned sardines and salmon in water without salt but these are sometimes harder to find. If stools become dry or crumbly this could indicate te too much calcium.

Egg yolks or whole egg are great additions but go easy to avoid loose stools. My dogs are small and get some yolk as a topper on their morning meal.

Another great calcium source is Better Bones from Four Leaf Rover or Natural Bone Calcium from Pet Health and Nutrition Center. These are essentially freeze dried bone which have a nutrient profile that matches more closely bone which is how nature inteneded dogs to get calcium. They also contain hydroxyapatite vs calcium carbonate for calcium. Calcium carbonate has somewhat of an antacid affect which could be a problem for dogs with low stomach acid. I know seaweed calcium is highly recommended by many, however my dogs do not do well on it so throwing this out there as an option. The only negative with the freeze dried bone is that it may be too high in phosphorus for a dog with kidney disease.

Many dogs who cannot tolerate chicken in pet food can eat fresh chicken. Also, many dogs who cannot eat chicken do well on turkey. And sometimes the problem is that they cannot tolerate the high fat in the skin but are fine with the meat.

Nancy

 

[DebbieZ]

I have a couple thoughts to consider.

If you starting feeding large amounts of sardines or canned salmon with bones (vs as a topper), these are both very high calcium because they contain bones which are a natural source of calcium. This means you may have to reduce or eliminate the calcium supplement on days you feed them as the main protein source. They can also be very high sodium if canned which may not matter as much as a topper but will if fed in larger amounts. They do have canned sardines and salmon in water without salt but these are sometimes harder to find. If stools become dry or crumbly this could indicate te too much calcium.

Egg yolks or whole egg are great additions but go easy to avoid loose stools. My dogs are small and get some yolk as a topper on their morning meal.

Another great calcium source is Better Bones from Four Leaf Rover or Natural Bone Calcium from Pet Health and Nutrition Center. These are essentially freeze dried bone which have a nutrient profile that matches more closely bone which is how nature inteneded dogs to get calcium. They also contain hydroxyapatite vs calcium carbonate for calcium. Calcium carbonate has somewhat of an antacid affect which could be a problem for dogs with low stomach acid. I know seaweed calcium is highly recommended by many, however my dogs do not do well on it so throwing this out there as an option. The only negative with the freeze dried bone is that it may be too high in phosphorus for a dog with kidney disease.

Many dogs who cannot tolerate chicken in pet food can eat fresh chicken. Also, many dogs who cannot eat chicken do well on turkey. And sometimes the problem is that they cannot tolerate the high fat in the skin but are fine with the meat.

Nancy

Thank you so much for all of this information, I really appreciate it!

This is great to know that the sardines and salmon do contain calcium and that I would not need a calcium supplement with them, it makes things easier. I am only purchasing the ones in water with no salt because that is the ones that Medical Medium linked on his Pet Recommendation page. I was able to order them from Iherb.

I had not realized there were many different calcium supplements and that some could be problematic for dogs, so this is very helpful.

I have never tried turkey, mainly because I was concerned it was too similar to chicken. She does react to fresh chicken too because I once had a vet years ago who did not believe me to not give her chicken and when she was sick and staying overnight there he gave her fresh chicken and she got sick. She has always tolerated beef and fish well so all these years I just stuck with those. She also gets diarrhea from any type of dairy. She definitely has a sensitive stomach.

 

[NancyK]

Thank you so much for all of this information, I really appreciate it!

This is great to know that the sardines and salmon do contain calcium and that I would not need a calcium supplement with them, it makes things easier. I am only purchasing the ones in water with no salt because that is the ones that Medical Medium linked on his Pet Recommendation page. I was able to order them from Iherb.

I had not realized there were many different calcium supplements and that some could be problematic for dogs, so this is very helpful.

I have never tried turkey, mainly because I was concerned it was too similar to chicken. She does react to fresh chicken too because I once had a vet years ago who did not believe me to not give her chicken and when she was sick and staying overnight there he gave her fresh chicken and she got sick. She has always tolerated beef and fish well so all these years I just stuck with those. She also gets diarrhea from any type of dairy. She definitely has a sensitive stomach.

I feed sardines and salmon as a topper a few times a week. The concern with excessive calcium comes into play if you decide to feed it in large amounts as the main protein source. I just wanted to clarify that.

I know a few people who have dogs that are sensitive to chicken but they tolerate turkey very well.

Good luck!
Nancy