Raw food for senior Jack Russell with poor appetite

A 14-year-old Jack Russell losing interest in food is genuinely worrying, and I understand why you're looking for something more tempting. Raw feeding done well can be excellent — but done badly it creates nutritional gaps that cause real harm over time, and the difference is balance and sourcing. Before I point you anywhere specific: has your vet ruled out an underlying cause for the appetite loss — dental pain, kidney changes, anything like that? And is he still eating some food, or has he gone almost completely off it?

That's actually reassuring — 'good shape but fading interest' is a very different situation from one where appetite loss signals illness. Kibble is often the culprit at this stage. The smell is mild and the texture doesn't excite an older dog the way it once did. Raw has a much stronger scent and a softer, moist texture, both of which tend to cut through that senior indifference. How much does he weigh, and have you handled raw food for dogs before, or would this be your first time?

Your instinct is exactly right — a 14-year-old dog has less margin for nutritional error than a young adult, so this is not the moment to start building your own DIY raw mix. You want a complete, balanced product where the work is already done for you. Given his size, his age, and the fact you're primarily trying to reignite appetite rather than overhaul his whole diet, I'd point you toward Natures Menu Country Hunter Raw Nuggets. They're a frozen complete raw food, nutritionally balanced to FEDIAF standards, and they come in small nugget form which is perfect for a 6.5kg dog — you just thaw what you need. The ingredient quality is high, the smell is strong enough to genuinely interest a dog who's gone off dry food, and the soft texture is much easier on older teeth and gums. You could start by offering a few nuggets alongside his kibble to transition gently, which also protects his gut from a sudden change.

For a senior with a delicate appetite, I'd start with the chicken variety — it's the mildest, easiest to digest, and least likely to cause any stomach upset during the transition. Once he's eating well and you've confirmed his gut is happy with raw, you can try the duck or turkey variants which have a slightly richer smell and often prove even more tempting. Rabbit is another good option if he turns his nose up at chicken — seniors who've eaten poultry their whole lives sometimes respond better to something novel. But chicken first, keep it simple, and give it five to seven days before you judge whether it's working.

Good plan. One practical note: thaw overnight in the fridge rather than on the counter, and serve at room temperature rather than straight from the fridge — the scent hits harder when it's not cold, which matters when you're trying to tempt a picky senior. At 6.5kg he'll need roughly 100–130g per day as a complete diet, but since you're transitioning, start with 30–40g alongside his kibble and build up over a week. I hope he surprises you — it's genuinely satisfying when an old dog rediscovers their appetite.