Senior, skinny dogs

I wish I could give her a cookie!!!! 

I know this is going to sound stupid but did you check the calories on the food?  Maybe she needs more-you did swtich right-usually they need MORE of homecooked type foods to maintain weight.  Also, I've read that raw digests very quickly and so that could be why she's hungrier. 

I'll give her a cookie on your behalf :)

I did switch to Keen and wondering if the calories are less... off to google!

She's small right? 3 pounds is a lot for a little dog. I'd up her feed and make sure she's getting plenty of carbs from grain, oats, corn, etc. Cottage Cheese and Eggs are good too, they can really help keep weight on. Sometimes I give our senior dogs more supplements (salmon oil, vitamins, gluc/chon.) and it seems to be almost an instant improvement. 12 is not "old, old" for a little dog so there's likely a cause for this... not enought food or health (see if the vet recommends checking the thyroid). Good luck!

She is typically 24 lbs (she is big for a bichon) and has dropped to 21lbs.

I upped her food today and will see how that does for her. Otherwise, yes, thyroid and a good check up for her next month.

Just wanted to say with the increase in food (protein) she didn't spend much time begging for food today, will see how she progresses now.

One minute I'm worried Willow is too skinny-the next she needs to loose 3-5lbs.  I swear it seems like she doesn't finish a meal and I can see a difference.  How ridiculous am I?

I would worry that the mix you are feeding may not be the right combo of nutrients for the different needs of an older dog.  For the time being, you could supplement with a high caloric supplement like Dyne and get a nutrition consultation.  If you don't have a canine nutritionist near you, I can refer you if you msg me.

What I ended up doing was adding extra raw meat to her THK Keen and the begging for food has stopped. I am guessing since Keen is their "economy" food, it is low in protein and she wasn't getting enough.  Once Keen is all used up, I'll try something else higher protein.

I consulted with our holistic vet and she suggested 1/2 orijen senior, 1/2 raw (halshan or similar) which I can do. 

Having the thyroid checked is your first best place to start.  But sometimes "old dogs" just plain process their food differently. 

I know I'm in the minority on here, but I have way way too many years of having very *old* dogs (thank Heavens) and also I've had way too much experience with dogs with kidney issues.  I am just plain not at all convinced this "high protein" trend is at all sensible.  I have had **many** senior dogs and I have honestly never had one do extremely well on a high protein food.  They tend to need more carbs -- even some grain carbs.  It's a different type of energy for them. 

Do as your heart tells you to do -- but simply watch what she does well on.  I found a good answer in high antioxidant veg like sweet potato rather than grains (altho I use some grains sometimes).  With me a lot of it is also my assessment of how great this dog is at risk for cancer -- if that risk is high I try to use the veggies rather than much grain.