Satin Balls

 I wouldn't recommend this recipe for dogs with arthritis, unless you take all the grains out (and then you almost wouldn't have Satin Balls, but something else).

The really intense calorie density of this food comes from the grains and sugars and a little from the fats.  Probably, a better choice to build muscle would be to offer up to 25% of any muscle meat, along with a whole egg complete with shell (whirled in the blender) for every pound of meat you end up feeding (figure it out over a week if needed).

If you still are not seeing the results you want, substitute thoroughly cooked white rice for any of the grains in SB - there's wheat germ, total, and rolled oats so you are talking about a big batch of rice!  That at least is better in terms of inflammatory values and the caloric values are actually higher cup per cup. 

But for an arthritic dog, you want slow weight gain, not rapid.  Be patient, offer lots of opportunities for low impact muscle building exercises, and watch for signs of inflammation that can set you back.

Oh, also, creatine is a good supplement for dogs who need to build muscle.  It's naturally in (or its precursors are in) raw foods so most of the time I don't supplement it any more - but when I rehabbed underconditioned dogs on kibble it helped a lot.  It's in some joint supplements or you can purchase it seperately.

The issue is that he's 12 1/2 and, in addition to the arthritis, he has Cognitive Dysfuntion Syndrome, so any exercise at all is pretty limited. Just wandering the yard or a lap of the house is usually pretty tiring.

brookcove

 Probably, a better choice to build muscle would be to offer up to 25% of any muscle meat, along with a whole egg complete with shell (whirled in the blender) for every pound of meat you end up feeding (figure it out over a week if needed).

I have seen reference to eggs with shells before. Can you please explain the benefits to me? I am learning a lot from you! Thanks 

grab01

The issue is that he's 12 1/2 and, in addition to the arthritis, he has Cognitive Dysfuntion Syndrome, so any exercise at all is pretty limited. Just wandering the yard or a lap of the house is usually pretty tiring.

I have to be honest at his age I understand you are hoping to replace his lost weight "in case" he has another problem and as he is now he has no extra pounds he can afford to lose.  I agree.

While Brookcove is correct grains and sugars do promote inflammation in arthritic dogs there are ways to compromise allowing Legend to have a wonderful treat without pushing his joints into overdrive decline.  PM me and I will share a private recipe that I use in my Kennel. I bake these for my dogs and for friend's dogs they are loaded with supplements that boost the immune system and protect the dog's joints. I do not feed my dogs grains. If you opt to do the satin balls I would go the oatmeal route as Oats, Barley and Potatoes are all cool carbs.   Rice, Wheat, Soy and Corn are hot carbs and promote the growth of tumors and cancers.   Add the sugar and I think they are time bombs for older dogs.

The Bwana Bars or Bwana Balls that I bake ( my friends named them... and it is a hoot to get a call from two of them one is "cheating on her vet's old fashioned advice and the other just has a great sense of humor so when they call they all but whisper like they are buying drugs !!)  Anywho let me know if you would like to talk about the options I have speant the past 5 years researching and combining.  I have a bake day coming up ... the bars will go to 4 different cities in 3 states. 

Bonita of Bwana

Bwana Balls

I just got the silliest thoughts!  Bad brain, no cookie for you . . .

Eggshells are just an easy way to add enough calcium to balance out Ph in boneless meat.  It's about a 1/4 tsp of pulverized shell (dried, whirled in food processor until powdery) - or about the amount that's in a large egg, as it happens - per pound of meat.  But you have to pulverize it or it will come out the other end pretty much the way it went in.  No harm done, the dog just doesn't get the benefit of it.  When you process or pulverize, you increase the surface area that is availble for the digestive system to work on.

That's the main reason you mush up or process veggies too. 

grab01, try adding lecithin granules to whatever you decide to use.  It provides choline, which is a nutrient which has undergone peer-reviewed studies and has been shown to improve cognitive dysfunction in dogs.  Also, try adding B-complex.  Many years ago a friend put me on to this as she was a nurse in a Alzheimer's care facility.  B-complex has been shown to improve many symptoms of dementia in humans.  Ben's been on both of these for years after being diagnosed with CCD, and he's still mentally alert and capable of quite a day's activities!  That's Ben in most of the pictures kpwlee posted of Bugsy's day here.

Look for "B-50" which provides the complex at reasonable but therapeutic levels.  B is safe to give every day.  It tastes icky so you'll have to hide it - but you are planning to make up this nice yummy something or other anyway.    I use NOW non-GMO lecithin granules - Ben's allergic to soy protein so I use a quality product that is less likely to be contaminated with leftover proteins.  Ben gets 1/4 cup of this a week mixed in his supplement batch - so whatever one-seventh of that would be per day.  lol

Thanks!  Is the lecithin in the vitamin aisle? I know where to find the B-complex

 If you want the pure stuff (NOW seems to be the most popular brand) - you'll have to browse around the natural food/health stores.  I get the best price online - I get a few other things to make the shipping worthwhile since I go through them anyway (fish oil capsules for me and hubby, other vitamins, etc).