What Are The Best Dog Foods For Senior Dogs

Senior Dog Food Vs Regular Dog Food

Senior dogs require fewer calories than their younger, more active counterparts. If your older dog is relatively healthy, you may be able to get away with keeping them on the same formula and adjusting the serving size to accommodate their level of activity.

Some senior dogs will benefit from special formulas designed to help strengthen their bodies and fight against these common ailments that come with age:

• Constipation: Some senior dogs have problems with constipation for which they will need high-fiber diets.
• Joint pain: Joint pain caused by arthritis is an age-related issue for many senior dogs. A dog with joint problems or inflammation may benefit from glucosamine and chondroitin supplements, available in some special veterinary diets.
• Dental problems: Soft or wet diets are recommended for senior dogs with dental problems.

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.

When Is A Dog Considered A Senior

Not all dogs get grey hair around their muzzles. In fact, many are as playful as a puppy for their entire lives.

In fact

You may have noticed that small dogs seem to age more slowly than large dogs. Its true. A small dog can live to be as old as 20 years. But a large dog can reach maturity much sooner.

So, how do you know when your dog has entered her golden years?

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association2

small dogs are generally considered senior at 7 years of age. Larger breed dogs tend to have shorter life spans and are often considered senior when they are 5 to 6 years of age.

Of course, all dogs are different. A healthy diet, regular exercise and good dental care can help extend your dogs middle age phase.

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To Grain Or Not To Grain: Do Dogs Need Grain

No dog needs grain-free food unless they have a particular sensitivity to gluten. In this case, the gluten could potentially upset your canines stomach and cause skin allergies, which we are trying to avoid.;

Most dogs are NOT allergic to gluten. Allergies like chicken and beef are equally as likely. If your dog is allergic to grain, go for grain-free dog food. Otherwise, its better to go with grain-inclusive food when possible.

Grain-free food often doesnt include more protein or meat, as most people think it does. Instead, the companies usually use inexpensive veggies in place of the grains they would normally add.

These vegetables include things like peas, potatoes, and lentils.

The FDA is currently investigating these veggies for a connection to certain heart problems in dogs.;

Peas, in particular, are troublesome, likely because they contain a large amount of protein. Some companies specifically use pea protein in their dog food.

When peas are used, it makes the dog food appear to contain more protein.

However, this protein is not complete and doesnt contain all the amino acids that whole meat does. This can lead to potential issues, which the FDA is currently investigating.;

For this reason, its usually best to choose a grain-inclusive food since these potentially troublesome veggies are not often used in these formulas.;

The Best Senior Dog Foods In 2021

Senior dog foods are made for the older dogs, especially those who are in the borderline of their average lifespan. They contain all the essential nutrients needed for your pet dog to survive aging and fight against age-related illnesses and diseases. That said, choosing the best senior dog food should be grounded on the qualities that should help you and your dog gain all the best perks in a dog food product.

When choosing the best dog food for senior dogs, you can rest assured that your dog will live that happy and healthy life no matter how old he can be. However, you must first check whether your dogs breed can handle the senior dog food formulation.

Read Also: What Type Of Dog Food Is Best For Puppies

Senior Dog Food Ingredients To Avoid

Regardless of age, dogs should avoid eating certain types of human foods. A diet rich in quality protein, vegetables and fruits provides a cornucopia of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and phytonutrients, but certain ingredients can poison dogs and lead to stomach upset or toxic reactions that could be fatal, says Dr. Lenox.

Because senior dogs have pickier appetites, some people will try human foods to entice their dogs to eat, she says. But these foods that are toxic to dogs, which are typically human foods, should be avoided.

The;ASPCAs Animal Poison Control Center will have a more extensive list and should be contacted if a pet has consumed any of these foods,;Dr. Lenox says. If your pet has ingested something thats making them sick, call the ASPCAs Animal Poison Control Center at 888-426-4435 for assistance.

Taking Care Of Your Senior Dogs Skin And Coat

The skin of your elderly dogs doesnt produce as many natural oils as it used to in order to be supple, hydrated, and supports a shiny fur. Try to use a delicate, hydrating shampoo and brush your dogs coat as often as possible to stimulate oil secretion. You can also use special skincare products to better hydrate the pets skin.

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Best Senior Dog Food Reviews Consumer Reports

Feeding your furry dog can be one of the most complicated tasks you have ever done. Your senior dogs have their special nutrition needs. As they age, their energy levels decrease, and they become more vulnerable to diseases like heart, joints, and stomach. The best senior dog foods keep your senior furry friends healthy as they are specially made for older dog families. They help those who are at the borderline of their lifespan and feel less energetic and active. Typically, a dogs breed plays a very important role in deciding your dogs age but it is seen that usually dogs 7 years old and older are considered seniors.

As your hound gets older its your responsibility to consider their body changes and change their diet accordingly. Its you who should make sure that they should not be eating the same kibbles you have been giving to them since their childhood. Now the question is what is the best thing to do? You just need to take some preventative measures and shift them to Best Senior Dog foods.

Quick Paw

• Calorie scale: 359 Kcal
• Health Analysis: Protein 36%, Fat 13%, Carbs 43%
• Top ingredients: Deboned turkey, chicken meal, dried ground potatoes, peas, turkey meal
• Type: ;Grain-Free

• Calorie scale: 414 Kcal
• Health Analysis: Protein 43%, Fat 17%, Carbs 32%
• Top ingredients: Deboned chicken, deboned turkey, Atlantic ounder, cage-free eggs, whole Atlantic mackerel
• Type: ;Grain-Free

Best Wet Foods For Senior Dogs

Your pal may like some wet dog food mixed in with the dry, or she may only want wet food. In either case, here are the top wet dog foods for senior dogs:

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How to compare wet and dry food

A note of caution: If your dog prefers wet dog food, pay extra attention to her oral hygiene, as it tends to worsen without proper care on a wet food diet.

When you see that a majority of the canned dog food is moisture, you may wonder if it contains the nutrition your senior dog needs. It is difficult to compare wet dog foods to dry dog foods with the variable moisture content.

But a simple dry matter basis calculation will allow you to easily compare to ensure that your dog is getting optimal nutrition. To calculate protein dry matter, take the percentage of protein divided by the percentage of dry matter . Then multiply by 100, and you have the dry matter protein content.

Wellness complete Health Natural, Senior Recipe

With reduced calories and plenty of fiber, this canned food features all natural ingredients that are well-balanced to fit your aging dogs needs.

Holistic Select Natural Wet Grain Free Canned dog food

If your senior dog is still active, this grain-free wet dog food, with its high protein and fat content, will keep her moving!

Nutro Ultra Wet dog Food, Senior

This low-cost option packs delicious flavors to tempt even the most picky eaters.

Blue homestyle recipe, senior

Canidae Life Stages Canned Dog food

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What Causes Dry Skin In Dogs

Some breeds are simply more prone to it than others. They may be more susceptible to specific causes of dry skin or to dry skin in general.;

Allergies are one major cause of dry skin. Typically, a sensitive dog will develop skin problems or allergic reactions after eating a specific food.

Most food allergies are not present at birth but develop after your canine eats the same food for an extended period.;

For this reason, we recommend switching a dogs food regularly. If a dog does not eat much of any particular protein type, the odds of developing an allergy to it are fairly low.;

Parasites can also cause dry skin. Usually, these parasites will need to be treated by a vet before the dry skin will fix itself. However, suitable dog food can help treat dry skin after the parasites have been cleared up.;

Infections can also cause dry skin. Sometimes, these infections are the primary problem. Other times, the infections are a secondary problem.

The skin became dry and irritated due to another reason, which allowed the disease to take hold.;

Systemic disorders and breed-specific conditions can also cause dry skin. For example, a dog with lots of skin folds may develop irritation between the folds from the skin rubbing against each other.;

What To Feed Your Senior Dog

Just as ours do, dogs bodies change as they get older. But do senior dogs need a different kind of diet than an adult dog? The answer may not be as simple as yes or no. Theres no one-size-fits-all approach to feeding an older dog, and there are also some outdated ideas about what kind of diet suits seniors. So, were running down some of the key dietary considerations for the more seasoned pup in your life.

When is my dog considered a senior?

The most common answer to this question is: seven! But aging is different for every dog.;

For most dog owners, the answer to when does my dog become a senior? is I know it when I see it. Just as you recognize the creeping effects of time on your own face, hair, and energy levels, youll start to notice your dogs muzzle gaining some dignified grey, and those early morning wake-up calls coming at a more civilized hour.;

But its actually worth understanding and keeping track of your dogs life stages so that old age doesnt appear out of nowhere. If you have a sense of your dogs real age, you can be proactive about nutrition and health, giving them the best chance at retaining their vitality as they get older.;

As a rule, smaller-breed dogs have longer life expectancies than large and giant-breed dogs. But there are a number of factors that can influence how your dog ages, including genetics, environment, and diet.;

New math for calculating age

So, a one-year-old dog is similar to a 30-year-old human.;

What to feed your senior

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Look For Senior Dog Foods That Contain Supplements To Reduce The Risk Of Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a common condition in older dogs. Therefore, many senior foods contain nutritional ingredients that are intended to help combat arthritis in aging dogs. These supplements are intended to strengthen cartilage and decrease inflammation. We have further advice here explaining dog food ingredients.

Two common ingredients included in foods to combat arthritis are glucosamine and chondroitin. These substances are normal components of healthy cartilage; their addition to the diet is thought to support healthy cartilage function. Although the evidence on the benefits of glucosamine and chondroitin is relatively weak, these supplements are widely regarded as safe and relatively risk-free to administer. Therefore, many pet food manufacturers prefer to give these supplements to older pets, because the potential benefits outweigh any minimal risk that may be associated with these supplements.;

Omega-3 fatty acids, such as EPA and DHA, are also included in many senior dog foods. These fatty acids are thought to have a number of beneficial effects in the body, including a decrease in inflammation associated with arthritis. Unlike glucosamine and chondroitin, omega-3 fatty acids do have evidence to support their use in the management of canine arthritis. By decreasing inflammation within the joints, omega-3 fatty acids can help to alleviate the clinical signs of osteoarthritis in aging dogs.;

Things To Look For When Selecting Food For Dry Skin:

First, aim to choose high-quality dog food. The best dog foods will contain high-quality protein as the first few ingredients.

Remember, ingredient lists start with the most prominent component by weight. This includes the water in the food.;

Avoid low-quality meats as well, including unnamed meat meals.

Meal isnt necessarily a problem by itself, as it is simply meat that has been cooked down. This is necessary when making dry food and leads to a more protein-packed ingredient.

Meals have more protein and nutrients in them than whole meat.;

Chicken meal is an excellent ingredient, but meat meal is not, simply because you have no idea what the meat is. It could be anything.;

Foods specifically for dry skin should contain a lot of omega fatty acids. Omega fatty acids are essential to healthy skin and a shiny coat.

Many dog foods contain at least a little bit of them, but some dogs may need a considerable amount to keep their healthy coat and skin.

Omega-6s and omega-3 fatty acids are both essential dietary fatty acids, including linoleic acid. Most dog foods for dry skin contain added fatty acids but check for them anyway.

They are usually added in the form of fish oil, flaxseed, or salmon oil, which can help with skin issues.;

Often allergies can cause dry skin, as most food allergies appear as skin problems. Dogs can only become allergic to proteins, including gluten from grains. They can be sensitive to other ingredients, which can cause problems as well.;

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Did You Make This Recipe

Tag on Instagram and hashtag it #thismessisours

Home Made Dog Food recipe for the Holidays

This 100% human grade home made dog food recipe utilizes some of the best fall produce for your dog like sweet potatoes, cranberries, rosemary, and sage. Its perfect for every day feedings and does double duty as a really delicious holiday meal for your dog!;

Pumpkin and Yogurt Bowl for Dogs Recipe;

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day for all of us, even our dogs! Get your dogs day off to a great start with a healthy dose of protein, vitamins, and minerals by feeding him/her a delicious Pumpkin and Yogurt Bowl for Dogs. These yogurt bowls are filled with good for your dog ingredients like fat free Greek yogurt, 100% pure pumpkin puree, plant based vitamin and mineral powder, and my Homemade Dog Food Seasoning which is a blend of 5 herbs that have extraordinary health benefits for your dog!;

Homemade Dog Food Seasoning Blend recipe

At What Age Are Dogs Considered Old

The age at which pooches become elderly varies by breed. As a rule, canines reach their elderly age at half their life expectancy. Larger and heavier canines age faster than smaller breeds. Smaller dogs live anywhere from 15 to 20 years, while larger breeds live from 12 to 15 years.

So, bigger pups enter their seniority at the age of six, and smaller around the age of nine. If youre interested,;calculate here how quickly dogs age compared to humane.

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How Do I Determine My Dogs Ideal Weight

Keeping your senior at ideal weight can help you significantly extend your pets life.

A 14-year landmark study found that

Dogs fed to ideal body condition lived 1.8 years longer than their overweight litter mates.

Thats nearly 2 extra years of life

Just for keeping your dog close to her ideal weight based on her Body Condition Score. This process is explained in the following short video.

Remember, every dog is different. If youre feeding the recommended amount, but your dog is not losing weight , you may need to make some adjustments.

Talk to your vet if youre unsure of your dogs ideal weight and body condition.

How Much And When Should You Feed Your Dog

This will vary from dog to dog, but a general rule of thumb is;for every 10 lbs your dog weighs they;should be fed roughly 1 cup of prepared food.

For our 80 lb Hooch, that means 2 meals a day each containing 4 cups of food. It is important to note that, dogs with kidney problems often feel better when fed;several small meals;throughout the dayrather than just one or two large meals, so you may find that you need to adjust your feeding schedule as time goes on accordingly to keep your pup comfy!;

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Hills Science Adult 7+ Small Bites Dog Food

Perfect for owners of older small breed dogs, Hills Science Adult Small Bites is a blend of high-quality ingredients packed into small, easy to eat kibble. Hills has an-house team of 220 vets, food scientists, and PhDs that specifically formulate nutritional content to match the exact needs of your pet.

Key Features:

• Note: contains a lower 16.5% protein