Is There A Change In A Senior Dog Diet?

You have heard all of the hype about the new dog diets for elder dogs. Is there actually a difference between dog food for mature dogs and kibble suggested particularly for seniors? How do you discern when to switch your pet to a different diet?

The top resource for information about dog diet is your pet's veterinarian. Only you and your vet recognize the specific requirements of your pet the best. Discuss with your vet your concerns and questions. He or she will be able to advise you on what adjustments, if any, need to be made to your dog's diet.

If your older dog does not have any health troubles and maintains a healthy weight, there is no need to adjust your dog's diet from adult to senior dog food. On the other hand, if your dog has trouble keeping the weight off or digestive issues, you may have to switch. If weight is the only issue, contemplate slightly lowering the quantity of dog food you give to your pet. This might be all the change your dog's diet requires.

A senior dog is classified as a dog in the last third of their life span. Larger dogs, for instance a Great Dane, live to be around 9 years old. Around the sixth year of life, you might want to consider a senior dog's diet. A poodle, on the other hand wouldn't get to senior status until nearly age ten because of the longer life expectancy. Primarily, the choice to alter your dog's diet should be based on health condition more than actual age in years. Your vet will help you to figure out when the right time is to adjust your dog's diet.

Dog food principally prepared for senior dogs characteristically has less calories. This helps to tackle any weight problems. The senior dog food also contains more fiber for the special requirements in your dog's diet. As dogs age, they might suffer from constipation. This extra fiber will help resolve this issue.

Renal failure can be another medical difficulty for senior dogs. How can your dog's diet help this problem? Reducing the amount of protein in your dog's diet will reduce the work load for the kidneys. For this reason, senior dog food often has lower protein content than standard adult formulas.

Whenever possible, let your dog to eat dry dog food to encourage excellent dental health. The dry kibble helps to decrease plaque and tartar buildup. If your older pet refuses to eat the food dry, you may need to dampen it with water or buy moist, canned varieties.

If your vet recommends, supplements may be helpful as part of your senior dog's diet. Some pets are not able to eat properly due to oral issues. Other older pets are not able to assimilate all of the nutrients from their food for a range of health reasons. Supplements such as daily vitamins and glucosamine can be advantageous to maintaining a healthy diet for your dog.

Glucosamine helps to encourage joint health. For senior dogs, glucosamine can battle arthritis and hip displasia.

Vitamins C, A, and E may prevent the natural aging process and encourage superior health for senior dogs. Talk to your vet about adding such supplements to your dog's diet.

You wish for what is best for your pet. Your senior dog needs to have a diet that meets their individual nutritional requirements. You and your vet can work jointly to decide what is the appropriate diet for your senior dog. Your dog's diet absolutely affects his or her health. Take care of your pet by monitoring your dog's diet closely with the of your veterinarian.