You hate to admit it, but your furry pal is getting a little older. You want to ensure that your pet is happy and healthy for many years to come. You have heard all of the hype about the new dog diets for older pets. Is there really a difference between dog food for adult dogs and kibble recommended specifically for seniors? How do you know when to switch your pet to a different diet?
The best resource for advice about dog diets is your pet’s vet. Only you and your trusted vet know the particular needs of your pet. Talk with your vet about any concerns and questions you may have. Your will vet help you with any changes, that is if any, need to be made to your dogs diet.
If your senior dog does not have any trouble with there health and has a healthy weight, there will be not a need to change your dogs diet from adult to senior dog food. But, if weight is the an issue, consider giving smaller portions of dog food to your pet. This may be the only change you need to make to your dogs diet requires.
A senior dog is classed as a dog in their last third of their life. Larger breeds, for example a Great Danes, live to be about 9 years old. about the sixth year of their life, you may want to consider the possibility of a senior dogs diet. A poodle, on the other hand will not reach senior status until the age ten, this is due to the longer life expectancy of this breed. Principally, the judgment to change your dogs diet should be based on health condition of your pet, rather than actual age in years. Your vet will help you to make up your mind, when the right time is to alter your dogs diet.
Dog food that is prepared for senior dogs typically would have less calories. This is a big help to combat any weight issues. The senior dog food will also contain more fiber for the different needs in your senior dogs diet. When dogs age, they tend to suffer with constipation, the extra fiber will help cure this problem.
Renal failure can be another medical problem, that often occurs to senior dogs. How can your dogs diet help this problem? By reducing the amount of protein you feed your dog in its diet, will lower the work load for the kidneys. This is the reason, that senior dog food mostly has lower protein content than regular adult formulas.
Whenever possible, allow your dog to eat dry dog food to encourage excellent dental health. The dry kibble helps to reduce plaque and tartar buildup. If your older pet refuses to eat the food dry, you may need to moisten it with water or purchase moist canned varieties.
If your vet recommends supplements may be helpful as part of your senior dogs diet. It Is because, some pets are unable to eat properly due to oral issues. Other older pets are unable to gather all of the nutrients from their food for various health reasons. Supplements such as daily vitamins and glucosamine can be beneficial to maintaining a healthy diet for your dog.
Glucosamine helps joint health. For senior dogs, glucosamine can help to fight arthritis and hip displasia.
Vitamins C, A, and E may prevent the natural aging process and encourage better health for senior dogs. Talk to your vet about adding such supplements to your dogs diet.
You want what is best for your pet. Your senior dog needs to have a diet that meets their special nutritional requirements. You and your vet can work together to decide what is the best diet for your senior dog. Your dogs diet directly affects his or her health. Take care of your pet by monitoring your dogs diet closely with the aid of your veterinarian.
