A college student has gone viral on Reddit after sharing that she now has to meal prep every meal for her senior dog—likely for the rest of the dog’s life.
The Reddit user, u/Equivalent_Sail_8888, posted about the situation in the subreddit “well that sucks,” where it quickly gained over 11,000 upvotes.
“She is used to some pretty expensive food but nothing compared to this (she is also on expensive medicine). I am in college full time and working full time. somehow managing to find two hours in my busy week to make her food still. may she live for many more,” she wrote.
The dog, a 14-year-old mini dachshund, developed a severe gastrointestinal (GI) infection that left her with long-term digestive issues.
The meal preparation shows a big bowl of what looks like a big bowl of rice with different elements such as vegetables and meat.
Gastrointestinal disorders affect a dog’s stomach and intestines, disrupting digestion, nutrient absorption and waste elimination, according to Hill’s Pet. Causes can range from infections and food intolerances to stress and parasites. Symptoms often include diarrhea, vomiting, loss of appetite and weight loss.
For dogs with chronic GI problems, veterinarians often recommend specialized diets. PetMD advises a bland, easy-to-digest diet made up of lean proteins such as chicken or turkey, simple carbohydrates like rice or potatoes, and low fat content. Fiber or hypoallergenic diets may also be used depending on the dog’s condition.
The post resonated with other pet owners, who flooded the comments with their own experiences caring for aging pets.
“I feel you, I’m not quite to meal prepping yet but my 14 yo cat needs meds twice a day for the rest of her life,” said one user.
“Same! My 18-year-old cat needs meds twice a day too! I used to have to open her mouth and put them down her throat. But now I can hide them in pill pockets. I could NEVER do that before. She was always aware,” added Kayleigh.
“My 12 yo dog has pills 4x a day for the rest of her life. Not to take away from your sweet cat, just to add that this club does in fact suck. But, how lucky our pets are to live where they are so loved that we will meal prep and plan our schedules around their pill time,” wrote another.
Newsweek reached out to u/Equivalent_Sail_8888 for comment via Reddit. We could not verify the details of the case.
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