Does Your Dog Need A Senior Dog Diet?

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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 senior dog does not have any health troubles and keeps a healthy weight, then there will be no need to change your dogs diet from adult to senior dog food. But, on the other hand, if your dog has trouble keeping there weight down or digestive problems, you may need to switch diet. If weight is the only problem, then consider lowering the amount of dog food you give to your pet. This may be all the change your dogs diet needs.

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 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.

You should when possible, give your dog to eat dry dog food to encourage excellent dental health. Dry kibble helps to reduce plaque and any tartar buildup. If your senior pet rejects the food dry, then try moistening it with water or you could the purchase moist canned varieties.

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, help reduce the natural aging process and encourage better health for senior dogs. You should 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.