As your pooch ages, you may notice various changes in its body, behavior and personality. They may also eat and digest more slowly than before. Also, their immune system may not work like it did before. To help them combat the challenges associated with old age, it’s crucial to carefully curate senior dog diet plan to ensure their good health and well-being in their golden years. To make your work easy, we’ve come up with this blog, where we will walk you through everything you need to know to tailor an appropriate diet for your senior canine baby. Read on to find out more.
When is a Dog Considered Senior?
A dog is usually considered senior at 7 years of age. However, this is not always a thumb rule and varies according to the size of the dog’s breed. While smaller breeds become senior around 10 – 12 years, large or giant breeds attain seniority by 6 – 7 years of age. The senior life stage of a dog is determined by the dog’s breed, size and genetics.
Key Nutritional Needs for Senior Dog Diet
As dogs age, their nutritional requirements significantly change. Serving them an appropriate diet helps them stay healthy and active even during their senior years.
Here is a glance at the key dietary requirements of senior dogs.
- Balanced Calories
As ageing dogs tend to get less active, their calorie requirement significantly decreases, making balanced calorie intake highly important. Controlling their calorie intake helps prevent obesity, osteoarthritis, cancer, kidney disease, and immune disorders.
- High-Quality Proteins
High-quality proteins are very important for senior dogs as their protein requirement increases with age. High-quality proteins help them in multiple ways, including muscle maintenance, good health and longevity, great kidney health, and enhanced digestibility.
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are crucial for senior canines, especially those that face age-related challenges due to numerous reasons. It helps reduce inflammation, supports joint health, enhances cognitive functioning, promotes cardiovascular health, improves skin and coat, boosts immune health, and improves eye health.
- Glucosamine, Chondroitin, MSM & Hydrolyzed Collagen
These nutrients are immensely helpful for senior dogs as they help support joint health. They combine to slow down joint degeneration, reduce arthritis-related pain, and improve mobility. These nutrients help protect and rebuild cartilages and alleviate inflammation, thus enhancing the quality of life of ageing canines.
- Vitamins & Antioxidants
Vitamins and antioxidants help promote the good health and well-being of senior dogs in multiple ways. They help support senior canines’ immune system, cognitive health, strong bones and muscles, enhanced skin and coat health, increased energy, healthy metabolism and cellular repair and longevity.
- Moderate Fat Content
As senior dogs generally experience slower metabolism due to lower activity levels, moderate fat intake works well to ensure their well-being. A moderate amount of fat offers essential energy without causing weight gain. It also supports cell health and delivers essential fatty acids that help reduce inflammation, ensure a healthy skin and coat, and support healthy joints.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do senior dogs need special food?
Yes, senior dogs need special food, different from that of younger ones. They need fewer calories, higher-quality proteins, more fibre, joint support nutrients like glucosamine, and antioxidants to prevent age-related health issues.
- What are popular senior dog supplements?
The following supplements work excellently for senior dogs:
- PAW Hepatoadvanced
- Essential 6
- SeaFlex Joint Skin & Vitality
- How important is fiber for senior dogs?
Fiber helps maintain digestive health, supports the gut microbiome, and ensures regular bowel movements.
- How often should I feed my senior dog?
Smaller and frequent meals work well for senior dogs. It helps with improved digestion and nutrient absorption. Also, provide fresh water at all times to prevent dehydration.
Wrapping Up
A well-balanced senior dog diet plan is highly important to ensure their healthy and active life. Serving them specialized diets and focusing on their nutritional requirements helps manage age-related conditions and obesity. Modifying feeding schedules, controlling their food portions, and including easily digestible ingredients help cater to their old age and support longevity.
At Discount Pet Care, we carry a wide range of supplements for ageing dogs at the best prices. Check out our online store to get your hands on your preferred products from the comfort of your home.