Your canine companion has been with you for many years. As it ages, it may well slow down and become less active than before. This is perfectly normal and acceptable. Understanding whether you are meeting its nutritional needs properly is important.
Having a senior dog
Older pets can often experience joint pains which can be uncomfortable for them to go through. This can make them uninterested to go out and exercise which can cause weight gain. While slowing down of activity is normal in older dogs, making sure that your pet gets the exercise it needs is a good way of taking care of it. A wonderful way is to offer it age-appropriate dog food. You may have been giving it adult dog food for years and now can be the right time to switch to food meant for senior dogs. Such food will be better able to take care of your senior dog’s nutritional requirements and help it deal with its joint pains better.
The right kind of nutrition
Older dogs will need a different set of nutrients to make sure that they enjoy optimal health and body functioning. A dog food that provides nutrients that help with extra joint support and is filled with high quality natural ingredients is your best choice. The optimal protein and fat levels is very important at this age and the right dog food will be able to provide just that. The company has excellent dog food meant for senior dogs with the right set of ingredients that will provide them nutritionally balanced meals.
When to make the switch to senior dog food
This is an important question that dog-owners need answered. The right answer is that it depends on the health and breed of the particular dog. If you own a smaller dog, you will find that they grow faster and when they reach a certain maturity the age slower. The right age to switch can be anything between 10 to 12 years for such dogs. For bigger dogs, the age of 5 or 6 is considered ‘’senior age’’. The best thing to do would be to consult a veterinarian to find out when you should be making the switch to senior dog food if the whole thing is confusing to you. Usually, the age of 7 or 8 years is considered the right age for most breeds.
Healthy and happy senior dogs
As a dog-owner, it can be important for you to have a healthy and happy senior dog. Choosing a senior dog food for such a dog can be a great idea but if your pet has any particular health concerns, switching may not be the smartest thing to do without consulting a veterinarian. If your pet has a certain health problem such as a failing kidney or likewise, the food you choose should specifically be for the condition. As the owner of a senior dog, it is obvious that you need to take it for routine examinations at your local clinic to rule out health issues.
Pointers to keep in mind when choosing the right food for your senior dog
There are certain characteristics to look for:
- It should be well-balanced and well proportioned.
- It should be lower in calories.
- It should be higher in fibre and have adequate fats and proteins.
- It should be low in calories but it should fill up the tummy. You don’t want your pet to go hungry.
- Choose dry food or wet food according to the preference of your pet. While dry food stays well for a longer time, wet food may go bad if kept unused for a long time. So choose accordingly.
- A senior dog will require less food than an adult dog.
Choose treats with care
Giving your pet treats is not a bad thing as long as you don’t overdo it. The key is in moderation. It is important that you choose the right treats for your pet and a high quality brand is your best choice. Treats are great for rewarding good behaviour and also to show love and affection.
Your senior dog requires a different set of nutrients and so it is a great thing to choose likewise.
Comments are closed.