Elderly dogs are no exception to the rule regarding nutritional requirements. Your dog’s changing dietary needs can be even tougher to grasp as it ages. This typically leaves pet owners with a bunch of unanswered questions.
Valuable Tips When Providing Food for Your Senior Dog
You might anticipate your dog to undergo several changes as they age. You can’t stop time, so why not embrace it? There is good news: the proper nutrients can help your aging dog stay healthy and happy for as long as possible. With numerous variables to think about when choosing senior dog food, there is no such thing as a “one-size-fits-all” option.
Depending on the breed and size, a dog can be called senior at a younger or older age. With your dog’s specific requirements and choices in mind, it’s best to see a veterinarian before modifying their diet. The following are necessary factors to consider to bear in mind when providing a senior dog’s food.
Give Them More Protein
Many individuals think that elderly dogs should consume less protein. Muscle growth in older adults demands raising protein intake, not reducing it. In senior dogs, muscle mass loss is a big issue. Some seniors shed a lot of muscle mass that they can no longer walk alone. Protein requirements for older dogs are around 50% higher than younger canines.
On the other hand, adult dog maintenance diets regularly lack enough protein to satisfy these requirements. For healthy older dogs, studies suggest a protein content of 28-32% on a dry-matter basis, especially when weight loss is required. On top of that, ensure your senior dog gets a thorough physical checkup and routine wellness exam from the vet to keep an eye on their health. You can be sure your dog will live a long life in this manner.
Add Supplements
Supplements like glucosamine and chondroitin are located in some senior diets to help alleviate the symptoms of osteoarthritis. While omega-3 fatty acids aren’t necessary to a healthy diet for seniors, they may help avoid osteoarthritis and cognitive decline. For optimal health, it is advised that you feed your dog a diet that is abundant in vitamins and minerals.
A dog’s health could be negatively affected by an excess or deficit of these critical nutrients. Getting a vitamin or mineral supplement without further investigation is terrible if you’re worried that your dog’s diet is deficient in these nutrients. Before giving your dog vitamins or internal medicine, always see vet neurology.
Make Their Food Chewable
Regarding feeding your dog, there are many practical considerations to bear in mind. Chewing may be complicated or uncomfortable for older dogs due to dental concerns. If you can not treat your dog’s problem, you may want to explore alternatively moistening their food or providing them canned or soft food. A smaller kibble size might be all that is needed if you are feeding dry food.
You can get help from a vet from veterinary dentistry if your dog has dental problems to ensure they can eat their beloved foods later in their later years.
Bottom Line
Every dog’s health requirements are unique, and at this period of life, each dog’s demands will progress at a variable rate. Providing your senior dog with a top-quality diet will help them stay happy and healthy as they approach their golden years.
