Will A Senior Dog Diet Make Your Dog Healthier?

You hate to acknowledge it, but your furry pal is getting a older. You will want to assure that your pet is happy and healthy for many more years to come. You will have heard and seen all of the hype about the new dog diets for aging pets. But is there really any difference between dog food for full grown dogs and kibble suggested specifically for seniors?

The best resource for advice about dog diets is your pets 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 older dog does not have any health problems and maintains a healthy weight, there is no need to change your dogs diet from adult to senior dog food. On the other hand, if your dog has trouble keeping the weight off or digestive issues, you may need to switch. If weight is the only issue, consider slightly lowering the amount of dog food you give to your pet. This may be all the change your dogs diet requires.

A senior dog is classified as a dog in the last third of their life span. Larger dogs, for instance a Great Danes, live to be about 9 years old. Around the sixth year of life, you may want to consider a senior dogs diet. A poodle, on the other hand wouldn’t reach senior status until about age ten due to the longer life expectancy. Primarily, the decision to change your dogs diet should be based on health condition rather than actual age in years. Your vet will help you to determine when the right time is to alter your dogs diet.

Dog food especially prepared for senior dogs typically has less calories. This helps to combat any weight issues. The senior dog food also contains more fiber for the different needs in your dogs diet. As dogs age, they tend to suffer from constipation, this extra fiber will help remedy this problem.

Renal failure can be a health problem for senior dogs. How can your dogs diet help with this problem? Cutting down the amount of protein in your dogs diet will decrease the work load of the kidneys. For the most part, this is the reason, senior dog food often has lower protein content than regular adult formulas.

Whenever possible, give your dog dry dog food to eat, this is will help with dental health. The dry kibble is a big help in reducing plaque and tartar buildup. If you have trouble getting your older dog to eat dry food, you may need to moisten it with water, or you could purchase some of the moist canned varieties that are available.

When your vet recommends supplements may be a help as part of your senior dogs diet. It Is because, some pets are unable to eat properly due to dental problems. many other older pets are not able to gain all of the nutrients from their food, this again is for various health reasons. Supplements such as, vitamins given everyday and glucosamine can be a great help to maintain a healthy diet for your dog.

Glucosamine helps to promote joint health. For senior dogs, glucosamine can help to combat 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 will want as we all want, what is best for your pet. Your senior dog needs to have a diet that meets their particular nutritional requirements. Work together with your vet, and you can both decide what is the best diet for your senior dog. Your dogs diet have a direct affect his or her health. Take care of your pet by observing your dogs diet closely, with the aid of your vet you should have a happy, health dog for many years to come.