As your dog enters their golden years, they may require certain foods to keep them healthy and meet their nutritional needs. In this post, our Milledgeville vets discuss the dietary needs of senior dogs, and share some tips on choosing the right food.
Changing Your Dog's Diet as They Age
Although we wish our dogs could stay young forever, they are going to slow down as they start to get older. As your dog enters their senior years, it's time to start thinking about making some dietary changes.
If your dog isn't as active as they once were, they won't need to be eating as many calories. Changing to a low-calorie food alternative can reduce the chances of your dog gaining unnecessary weight. This will also benefit their joint health as they won't have to carry around the extra weight.
Adding protein to their diet can help support healthy muscles and joints which is rather necessary for senior dogs. Decreased muscle mass is common in older dogs, which protein-strong diets can help counteract.
Best Dog Food for Older Dogs
Our team at Heart of Georgia Animal Care has put together a list of some of the best types of dog foods for senior dogs. Ask your vet which senior dog food is best for your pet.
Prescription Dog Food
Depending on your dog's specific circumstances and health conditions, in some cases a medical prescription dog food might be the best option for your senior pooch. In other cases, your vet may simply recommend you switch to a healthy alternative.
Low-Calorie Dog Food
Low-calorie senior dog food can benefit dogs that are at a higher risk for heart disease (or who have already been diagnosed with it), as it will help keep their weight down. Low-sodium recipes are preferred.
High-Fiber, Low-Fat Dog Food
Our veterinarians in Milledgeville recommend owners of pre-diabetic or diabetic dogs place a high priority on the slow absorption of food. Blood sugar tends to rise more slowly with special diabetic diets, reducing the risk for health complications. These diets are also exceptionally high in fiber and low in fat.
As mentioned previously since older dogs commonly struggle with constipation, the higher amount of fiber, the better. This will help to prevent constipation and keep their bowels working regularly.
Dog Food High in Protein
Many senior dog foods will also contain higher quality protein sources than standard dog food, which can help senior dogs maintain a healthy body weight without putting unnecessary strain on their aging kidneys.
Limited Ingredient Dog Foods
If your senior dog has allergies, your vet might recommend limited ingredient dog foods, which include just a single protein source (such as chicken, beef or lamb), often combined with one carbohydrate source.
This can be used to eliminate allergens that might be causing allergic reactions or symptoms. When looking for limited ingredient dog foods, it's important to check for the Association of American Feed Control's (AAFCO) seal of approval, in addition to a "complete and balanced" claim from the manufacturer.
Keep in mind, that every dog is different depending on breed, size, age, and possibly allergies. Consult your veterinarian for a more accurate description of what dietary changes will best benefit your dog's health.
Why Dry Food?
High-quality dry dog food is often considered best for older dogs. This is because as they age, they are at a higher risk for developing dental issues. Hard, crunchy foods combined with diligent dental care will aid in keeping your dog's teeth strong and healthy.
If you're using dry dog food to help with your dog's dental health (chewing hard food to clean the teeth), you may be better off with a prescription dental health dog food that can be provided by your vet. Harder food will scrape the teeth, helping reduce plaque and tartar buildup. No matter which dog food your pooch is on, they still require proper dental care and professional cleanings and examinations.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.
