By restyourpaws | July 27, 2025

Warm Food: Enhancing “Meal Appeal” for Your Senior Pet

Submitted by Dr. Kathy Mepstead, Rest Your Paws Facebook, Rest Your Paws Instagram
person's hand pushes a stainless steel dog bowl filled with dry kibble towards the nose of a large, cream-coloured Labrador Retriever. The dog, with a slight look of disdain, has a speech bubble above its head that says "I'D LIKE TO SPEAK TO THE MANAGER," humorously conveying a picky eater's disinterest in the food.

As pets age, a common challenge many owners observe is a reduced sense of smell, which can unfortunately lessen their interest in food and significantly impact appetite. For older pets, a diminished sense of aroma directly translates to decreased appeal at mealtime, sometimes leading to inadequate nutrition.

A simple yet highly effective strategy to counteract this is to gently warm their meals to just above room temperature. This subtle adjustment works wonders by enhancing both the aroma and flavour of the food, making mealtime far more appealing and enticing for your senior dog or senior cat. The increased scent can actively stimulate their olfactory senses, drawing them back to their bowl.

This straightforward change encourages even the pickiest eaters or pets with generally diminished enthusiasm for food to eat more readily and consistently. By making their meals more palatable and fragrant, you directly support their nutrition and ensure they receive the vital calories and nutrients needed for sustained health as they age.

Paying attention to these small, thoughtful details goes a long way in managing your senior pet’s appetite. It helps ensure they get the nourishment they need, contributing significantly to their overall health, vitality, and ultimately, a better quality of life throughout their retirement.

Categories: Diet or Supplement, General Advice
Share on
[Sassy_Social_Share]

We are here for you 7 days a week

call now