Canines experience significant changes as they age. Some of these changes are more pronounced when they reach age brackets that can be conveniently categorized as seniors. Proper nutrition is important to help them fare well at this life stage. Dogs are loyal, loving, and make us happy! The fact that they become a part of our family, means we also need to take care of them.
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As your dog ages, there are many things that they can experiences, from greying hair, loss of mobility, hearing changes, vision changes, and more prone to medical issues. Though there are changes that are more noticeable, it is important that you are aware of everything that you can expect from your aging dog. There are a lot of things to keep them healthy on this stage of their lives.
Well, this article is more particular about meeting the nutritional needs of senior dogs. Senior dogs need more care, and this can help you and act as your guide to support aging pets. Read on to stay informed.
Identifying Senior Canines
How do you determine senior canines? Some people readily think of age ranges when trying to figure out which dogs can be considered seniors. Well, it is quite tricky as one dog can be 7 years old and not fit to be called a senior, while another is 6 years old and already a senior.
Well, it is mostly about the breed in question. Overall, larger breeds age a lot faster than small breeds, while medium breeds are right in the middle. You can see below to understand better:
- Large – 6 years and above
- Medium – 8 years and above
- Small – 10 years and above
All dogs age differently, but right around they reach seven years old, they may start to experience some changes internally, even if they’re not showing any external signs of aging. That’s around the time that your dog’s activity level may begin to slow down, and the metabolism may begin to decrease. Their brain may also become less efficient at glucose metabolization, which can lead to memory problems for senior dogs. Around age seven, you may want to think about switching him to a dog food for older dogs. Besides age, some other things are often indicative of an aging dog. Some of them include:
- Appearance – Particularly as a gray fur is noticed around the muzzle
- Stiffness or Slower Movement
- Decrease in Muscle Tone
- Less Interest in Physical Activities
- Decreased Energy Levels
The aforementioned and several other factors make senior dogs more vulnerable to certain health issues. This can be manifested in the following ways:
- Cognitive Decline
- Dental Issues
- Joint Pain – Most especially arthritis
- Weaker Immune System
- Slower Metabolism
- Digestive Changes
Since most of these conditions develop gradually, it can be difficult for a dog owner to see these occurring. You can work with dog experts (Veterinarians), who can help you develop an excellent plan to make sure that your senior dog is in optimal health.
A nutrition plan tailored for them prevents (or at least reduces) the chances of the above-listed happening. So, it is important to take the diet of senior dogs very seriously.
Nutritional Tips for Senior Dogs
To help make sure that your senior dog gets good nutrition, as their owner, you need to do your part by not feeding them table scraps, or too many dog treats. This can result to unwanted weight gain, and strain on their joints. Senior dogs can also benefit from mental stimulation to keep them sharp.
Nutrition is not all that there is to ensure that senior dogs live a healthier and happier life. However, it is a very important aspect and should be seen as such. Bearing this in mind, some helpful nutritional tips include:
Consumption of High-Quality Protein
Protein offers these canines a lot of nutrients that they require for healthy living. This is for reasons that include the following:
- Easy Digestion
- Overall Body Support
- Maintenance of Muscle Mass
As a result, it should make up a reasonable amount of their diet. Furthermore, the emphasis is on high-quality and not just any kind of protein. Fish, eggs, lean meats, and protein blends that are very easy to digest are options that can be considered.
Joint-Supporting Nutrients
The canine’s body naturally experiences decline over time (just like people). However, this is especially true for certain parts than others.
Against this backdrop, the joints are one such part, which is why joint-supporting nutrients are important for senior canines. Omega-3 fatty acids, chondroitin, MSM, and glucosamine are viable options that can be considered. You can click here to hear various takes on this subject.
Understand & Address Dental Sensitivities
Senior dogs simply adapt to living with discomfort such as dental disease. It is especially common in senior dogs. It progresses gradually and can easily go unnoticed. Just like us, dental issues can be very painful for dogs. Dental challenges are something else that senior dogs are susceptible to. As a result, possible dental sensitivities should be adequately understood and addressed. Some tips for ensuring this are below:
- Opt for Wet Food or Softer Foods
- Only Offer Treats that Are Dental-Friendly
- Shift to Easily Chewable Food Types (If Required)
- Consider Dental Supplements
Some senior dogs will require a more hands-on approach with the above-listed than others. Overall, it depends on the dental state and needs of the canine in question.
Enhance Digestive Health
Senior dogs have digestive systems capable of absorbing nutrients, all things being equal. However, the aging process would most likely have made the digestive system less effective. There are ways that we can make sure that our pets’ digestive health is at its best!
This is especially true in the area of nutrient absorption. Things that can be done in the spirit of enhancing the digestive system include:
- Fiber Consumption – This is particularly because of fiber’s ability to enhance bowel movement of your dog
- Consumption of Easily Digestible Foods
- Use of Prebiotics & Probiotics – The former supports the activities of beneficial bacteria for an enhanced digestive system, while the latter supports gut health and even immune function
Hydration is also a key part of improving digestive health for senior dogs. The fact that it is not just important for improving digestive but overall health is a reason it was deliberately left out of the aforementioned list. Some helpful tips for ensuring that such dogs are adequately hydrated include:
- Strategic Placement of Water Bowls and having them Filled with Water
- Encouraging Your Dog to Drink Water
- Deliberate Use of Wet Food – Particularly because of the moisture content
- Use of Water Fountain
These hydration tips and the aforementioned tips help aging canines cope with digestive changes that may set in as a result of the aging process. So, they should be implemented.
Pay Attention to Calorie Intake
Aging dogs are more likely to be obese and the reason for this is not far-fetched. It is especially down to their decrease in energy levels. Like just any other people, all other animals need a certain number of calories to maintain energy and body mass. To know a dog’s calorie intake needs, it must be calculated from the dog’s weight in kilograms, or kg.
This decrease means that fewer calories are burned; leading to the buildup of body fat. A decrease in energy levels and some other factors also result in slower metabolism. This simply means that the pace at which the body burns calories is slower. In the spirit of ensuring proper calorie intake for these canines, some helpful tips include:
- Opting for Low-Calorie but Nutrient-Dense Meals
- Offering Portions Based on the Canine’s Weight & Activity Level
- Not Serving Meals that are not Precisely Measured
- Offering Smaller Portions – Could be frequent, if need be
Weight & body conditions should also be closely monitored as this is one of the best ways to evaluate the impact of calorie intake. To this end, commit to performing weight checks regularly. Body condition scoring should even be used for more accurate data.
Conclusion
In conclusion, senior dogs are in a sensitive phase largely because of their declining body, and as a result, owners should be more focused on offering nutritional support in the best way possible, getting all the help they need.
Knowing what food to feed them helps the dogs to have a long, healthy and happy life, just like us, we age in different ways, and we are responsible for what we put in our body to ensure that we are healthy inside and out.
That being said, the various recommendations shared here should be given serious thought to guide you. Furthermore, proper transitioning is required to avoid complications and ensure the full benefits of these recommendations.
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