Senior Dog Diets

Today dogs in North America live longer than ever before. To help them remain healthy and active, you need to exercise them. Regular checkups help them maintain their health and vigor. You also need to provide them with a diet that suits their specific age and lifestyle.

Nutritional Demands

A senior dog usually requires a different diet than a younger adult or a puppy. Most have a lower metabolic rate. A senior citizen canine may actually require up to 40% less energy than a younger dog. As a result, your senior canine needs food with less caloric input. This usually involves a reduction in or a restriction of many of the usual nutrients found in dog food. It is 1 very good reason why you should purchase a lifestyle formulated dog food.

Reasons Why Senior Dog Food Is A Necessity

There are several good to great reasons why your dog may require senior dog food

There is the decrease in energy already mentioned previously. There is also the loss of muscle mass. This relates to a decline in the rate of activity. In other words, your dog is less active than before. While this is not true for all senior dogs, it does affect many household canines.

Another reason why you should give your dog senior food is the weight factor. A less active dog tends to gain more weight. Calorie restriction is sometimes a necessity. Senior food addresses this issue. So does feeding the animal less of the food.

Nutritional Restrictions For Senior Dog Food

Except in some instances, your senior dog should be eating senior food. Below is a list of the basic nutritional demands of a senior dog.

o Protein. Protein may increase or decrease. It depends upon the advice of your vet and the experts. Usually, your senior dog will require an increase in his or her senior years.

o Sodium. Sodium falls into the restricted category. It is a contributory factor to several health problems. The most prominent of these is heart disease. Feed your dog low-sodium products. If your dog is prone to heart disease or problems, reduce or eliminate as much sodium as possible from the diet. Talk to your vet for specifics.

o Phosphorus. This is another possible restricted nutrient. It is a contributory factor in kidney problems. If your dog has or is prone to kidney disease, do not provide an excess of phosphorus.

o Fiber. In regards to fiber, you have to walk a fine line. Additional dietary fiber is beneficial for an old dog. You must not, however, provide your canine companion with too much. This will impact negatively on his elimination process and result in overall health problems.

Conclusion

There are senior dogs who do not need senior food. If your dog is very active, it may not need to cut down or change his or her diet. If your canine is healthy and at a normal weight, you may not need to change his or her food to a senior formulation. In general, however, your dog will require a change in diet when he or she becomes a senior. Talk to your vet, your breeder and/or your dog food retailer to see what they suggest. Senior diets usually cost more but the price is worth it fi it helps your companion live longer and live well.

Content provided by Crissi Robertson of Oh My Dog Supplies, check out our awesome collection of designer dog beds online.

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