What Age Senior Dog Food

What Age Should I Change My Dogs Food

When it comes to nutrition, there are three life stages which experts believe are important times in your dogs life to discuss with your veterinarian. The first is the puppy life stage. During this period a dog food rated for growth is needed because it is specifically designed for puppies and kittens according to the AAFCO . Puppies and kittens that are growing require pet foods with a higher protein level and a higher calorie countto meet their growth requirements, says Dr. Lorie Huston. If these nutritional demands are not met, your pets growth may be stunted and/or your pet may become ill. Pet foods rated for reproduction” or “gestation/lactation are also a benefit for pregnant or lactating females.

The second life stage for which you should consult your veterinarian about dietary changes is the adult life stage. Obesity is the most common nutritional disease seen in both dogs and cats today, says Dr. Huston. One reason for this is improper life stage feeding. For example, dog or cat especially one that leads a sedentary lifestyle may become overweight or even obese if fed pet food meant for puppies or kittens. Pet food labeled as “all life stage” can also deliver excessive fat and nutrients your adult pet does not require, as it is formulated for kittens and puppies. Instead you should be looking for dog food rated adult maintenance by the AAFCO.

What Should I Feed My Senior Dog

A suitable diet for older dogs should take into account dietary factors that can help manage the physical and medical changes dogs experience as they age. Consult your vet when you want to address these conditions through diet, supplements, and other lifestyle changes.

It also helps to read up on senior dog food to glean general insights. The best recipes for senior dogs in the market would contain above-average protein, moderate fat, below-average calories and no high-risk preservatives, which makes them ideal for dogs of advancing age.

If you would like to find out more on transitioning to senior dog food and nutritional needs of senior dogs with conditions, you can refer to the article Best senior dog food.

Should Senior Dogs Eat Wet Food

Canned foods are a good choice for a senior diet. It solves many of the issues presented with a kibble diet and is a great way to encourage picky eaters to eat more. Wet foods are generally more digestible than kibble, depending on the ingredients of course, and many options have very little carbohydrates or fillers.

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Dog Food For Senior Dogs: A Guide For Your Dogs Golden Years

For dog owners, the reality that our pets live such short lives means that we do everything we can to make our time together count. To ensure that their later years are as comfortable, healthy, and happy as possible, we need to make healthier decisions when choosing dog food for senior dogs.

If you have a senior pet, you might be wondering what you can do to preserve your old dogs quality of life. This article will help you understand the needs of senior dogs so that you can make the best feeding decisions for them. Here’s a quick breakdown of what we’ll cover:

What Health Problems Can Affect A Senior Dogs Diet

If your dog has medical problems in its later years, you may need help from a veterinarian or veterinary nutritionist to plan a proper diet. Older pets with specific conditions, like diabetes, kidney failure, or liver disease may require special veterinary diets to assist in the treatment of their conditions, Metzger says.

Dogs with heart disease may need lower-calorie senior dog foods to help keep weight down as well as lower-sodium formulations.

The goal of a diabetic diet is to delay absorption of a food,” Nunez says. That’s important for dogs with diabetes. When foods are absorbed slowly, blood sugar tends to rise more slowly.

Lower-fat, higher-fiber foods are best for diabetic dogs, Nunez says. Consult your veterinarian about which type of food to buy.

Some senior dogs also have trouble with constipation, so a higher-fiber diet will help them stay regular.

Many senior diets have higher-quality protein sources than standard foods. This helps to maintain body weight and muscle mass without putting too much strain on the kidneys.

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Should Older Dogs Eat Soft Food

As your dog gets older, his teeth may become more sensitive, which can make chewing kibble more difficult and even uncomfortable for him. Switching to a soft food will help to alleviate his oral discomfort when eating. Whether you choose dry food, soft food, or a mix of both, ask your vet before making any transition.

When Should I Start Feeding My Dog A Senior Dog Food

Every dog ages differently, but right around age seven, he may start to experience some internal changes, even if hes not showing any external signs of aging. Thats around the time that your dogs activity level may begin to slow down, and his metabolism may begin to decrease. His brain may also become less efficient at metabolizing glucose, which can lead to memory problems. Around age seven, you may want to think about switching him to a dog food for older dogs.

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Should I Feed My Senior Dog Wet Or Dry Food

Canned foods are a good choice for a senior diet. It solves many of the issues presented with a kibble diet and is a great way to encourage picky eaters to eat more. Wet foods are generally more digestible than kibble, depending on the ingredients of course, and many options have very little carbohydrates or fillers.

When Should You Start Feeding Your Dog Senior Food

Thats around the time that your dogs activity level may begin to slow down, and his metabolism may begin to decrease. His brain may also become less efficient at metabolizing glucose, which can lead to memory problems. Around age seven, you may want to think about switching him to a dog food for older dogs.

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Should All Older Dogs Eat Senior Dog Food

There is no one best dog food for older dogs. Evaluate your dog before making adjustments to its diet because every dog, more so an ageing one has a different nutritional strategy.

If your older dog is healthy and eating a quality, balanced diet, theres no reason to switch to a specific dog diet. For a quality diet, Petcubes’ range of dog food for senior dogs provides convenient and easy to feed food made from the best ingredients.

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Keep your dog healthy and fit with this easy peasy homemade recipe its cheaper than store-bought and chockfull of fresh veggies!

I never thought I would be one of those dog owners who made homemade human food for their pups. Not in a million years.

But when Butters recently fell sick with an upset stomach, our vet advised us to feed him a bland diet chicken and rice without any kind of seasoning. So thats what we did we poached a chicken, shredded it in a food processor, and mixed in some white rice and fed him this bland diet for 3 days.

Thats when I started to do some research on homemade dog food, and I have been so amazed as to how many different kinds of vegetables dogs can have. And with the help of Balance IT, you can create so many different recipes for your pup!

Now the best part about making homemade dog food just like making anything at home is that you know exactly what is going into the dog bowl, and not any of that questionable gelatinous gunk from the canned food.

But its important to note that dogs have different nutrient requirements than humans for their proportional body size, such as:

Now this recipe here has a balance of 50% protein, 25% veggies and 25% grains, but the ratios can easily be adjusted to suit your pups breed and/or needs.

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Always Talk To Your Vet About Diet Changes

There are so many great options when it comes to senior dog foods these days. The variability in nutrient and ingredient content makes it hard to know what is best. Choosing the right food should be a decision based on your senior dog’s specific needs, known health conditions, disease risk, and lifestyle. Your veterinarian is a key player in your dog’s health and should be consulted when considering a dietary change.

Differences Between Senior Dog Food Vs Regular

Is there a difference between senior dog food, regular adult dog food, and food labeled “all life stages” or “multi-stage”? Not necessarily. In fact, some food products might be identical and only market differently that is, only the packaging changes. According to our experts, there’s no regulation of dog foods claiming to cater to seniors, which is why there’s so much confusion on the topic.

There certainly are, however, some dietary factors that can help manage the physical and medical changes dogs experience as they age. Here are some of the ways a senior dog diet might differ from a regular adult dog diet:

• Nutrient adjustments
• Added MCTs, omega-3s, and antioxidants

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Do Senior Dogs Have Special Nutritional Needs

“Seniors and geriatrics generally need lower-calorie diets to help prevent obesity — a huge problem in seniors — and higher-fiber diets to improve gastrointestinal health, Metzger says.

Probably the most important thing for a geriatric dog is that their energy requirement gets lower, Nunez says. With a slower metabolic rate, older dogs are more likely to become overweight or obese.

Many dog food companies now offer senior dog food formulations, which Nunez recommends as an age-appropriate diet for older pets because theyre lower in calories.

If possible, owners should feed their pets foods that are suitable to their stage in life. But some owners have more than one dog and would prefer to buy just one type of food.

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In that case, foods labeled multi-stage would be acceptable for puppies, adults, and seniors. You make some compromises when you do the multi-stage diets, Nunez says. So theyre my second choice. But some people just cant separate the foods. The puppy will get into the senior diet, and the senior dog will get into the puppy food.

Metzger tells WebMD that when it comes to snacks, you should serve your senior dog healthy, low-fat, low-sodiumtreats. Although many dog owners think of bones and milk biscuits as snacks, there are alternatives. Vegetables are great, Metzger says. Most dogs like carrots and apple slices. But avoid grapes and raisins because theyre harmful to dogs.

Choosing The Right Bowls

Every dog is different and has different habits. This is especially true for eating. Take a close look at how your dog eats. If your dog is a gulper, has trouble chewing or swallowing, or is limited in mobility, their bowl might need to reflect that.

Most bowls are a pretty standard shape and size, but some variations may actually improve your pets eating habits. Check out some of the unique food bowls to help your pet eat better.

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Do Senior Dogs Eat Less

As dogs progress from old to very old, they tend to stop gaining weight and instead start losing weight, actually requiring more calories. In those cases, they often have a decreased appetite, possibly related to a decreased sense of smell or taste, and may even have difficulty chewing or swallowing.

Supplements For Senior Dogs

It is possible to find food that has everything that your old boy needs, but depending on their condition, you may need to supplement their diet to improve different aspects of their health. Even on a high-quality diet, your senior dog may need a little extra help. Check out some great supplements that can aid your pet during their senior years.

We do not recommend trying all of these supplements at once. Supplements can be rotated, used seasonally, or just as needed.

For many dogs, supplements may not even be necessary if they are on a well-balanced and appropriate diet.

If you arent sure whether or not your dog needs a health supplement, connect with your vet. Over supplementing can be harmful, and more often just a waste of money.

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Is Your Dog Seven Years Or Older It May Be Hard To Believe But He Is Approaching His Senior Years And If Hes A Large Breed He May Reach His Senior Years Even Earlier

Like humans, dogs undergo physical changes as they age, causing their nutritional needs to change as well. Thats why its important to feed your dog the right food to nourish his aging body and mind. When choosing a dog food for senior dogs, consider the following factors:

Activity Level

Older dogs are usually less physically active than younger dogs, which makes them prone to gaining weight. Dog food for older dogs often has fewer calories to help older dogs maintain a healthy weight and ideal body condition. If your older dog is not as active as he used to be, you may want to consider a senior formula that has fewer calories than his adult formula to help prevent weight gain.

Even if your dog has slowed a bit, you still want him to be strong and active. To help support mobility and strong muscles, dog food for senior dogs often has higher protein levels than adult formulas. In fact, increased dietary protein can actually help slow age-related loss of lean body mass and support a healthy immune system. Glucosamine is also added to senior formulas to help support healthy joints.

Mental Sharpness

Dogs may show less interaction with you and lower engagement in daily activities as they age. Fortunately, nutrition like Purina ONE® SmartBlend® Vibrant Maturity 7+ Formula with enhanced botanical oils naturally nourishes your senior dogs brain and helps promote mental sharpness, helping him think more like his younger self.

Appetite

Dental Health

Pregnant Or Nursing Dogs

Pregnant and nursing dogs have different nutritional requirements than other adult dogs. These dogs should be eating food that is calorie dense and high in protein. Look for foods that are at least 22 percent protein.

It may seem unusual, but feeding puppy food, like Purina Pro Plan Focus Puppy Chicken & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food, to a pregnant or nursing dog is a good way to meet these requirements. Because puppies, like pregnant and nursing dogs, also need more calories and protein than other dogs, food made for them is suitable for dogs who are moms or moms-to-be too.

And heres the good news for your pregnant or nursing dog: Unless she is overweight, you can let her have all she wants.

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Feeding Your Senior Dog

Every dog has different nutritional needs, and senior dogs are no exception. Once your beloved pup reaches his golden years, it can be even tougher to understand his shifting dietary requirements. This can often leave pet parents with a lot of questions: Is “senior dog food” necessary? What is the best senior dog food on the market? What do you do if your senior dog refuses to eat? While you’re here, check out our success story on how our fresh dog food helped to improve Bailey, a 13-year-old lab mix’s life.

Check out the answers from our pet nutrition experts to some of the most common questions we receive about senior dogs below.

Senior Dog Food Prices

Inexpensive: Most small bags of dry food cost under $20. You can also find cases of wet food in this range.

Mid-range: Spending between $20 and $40 will earn you most medium sizes of dry bagged dog food. This range may also include premium cases of wet food.

Expensive: For over $40 and up to $60, youll find large bags of dry senior dog food. Pricier options often cater to specific ailments.

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To Each Their Ownfood

It is tempting to always do whats easiest in life, and this extends to dog ownership.

It can be difficult to feed two different dogs two different kinds of food they always seem more interested in whats in the other bowl But its important that each of your dogs eats the right diet for them.

If that means feeding them separately, or monitoring feedings, so be it. While there are foods that strive to offer balanced nutrition for all, ultimately youll be short-changing everyone eating it.

Older Dogs Need Fewer Calories

One of the most important changes to a senior dog’s diet isn’t related to the type of food, but the quantity.

A dog’s metabolism slows with age. This means the body burns fewer calories and needs less food to function. Many senior dogs are also less energetic, so they burn even fewer calories.

As excess calories are converted into fat, a slower metabolism is one of the main reasons why older dogs tend to become overweight. Weight gain can reduce your dog’s expected lifespan, increase joint pain, and generally make your dog less healthy.

It’s essential that you limit your pet’s food intake to maintain a healthy weight, either by using a low-calorie senior dog food or reducing your pet’s daily meals. If you’re not sure how to adjust your dog’s diet, take a look at our guide or ask your vet for advice.

You don’t want to underfeed your dog either, though. Too few calories can cause muscle loss, which may reduce mobility and make joints unstable. For this reason, you should closely monitor your dog’s weight and adjust his diet to maintain a healthy weight.

Exercise is beyond the scope of this article, but is another important consideration. Older dogs need less intense exercise, but should still have daily walks to help support muscle condition, provide mental stimulation and maintain a healthy weight.

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