Just How Will A Senior Dog Diet Make Your Dog Healthier?

By G D WIlliams


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 information about dog diets is your pets veterinarian. Only you and your vet know the specific needs of your pet the best. Discuss with your vet your concerns and questions. He or she will be able to advise you on what changes, 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 classified as a dog in the last third of their life span. Larger dogs, for instance a Great Danes, live to be about 9 years old. Around the sixth year of life, you may want to consider a senior dogs diet. A poodle, on the other hand wouldn't reach senior status until about age ten due to the longer life expectancy. Primarily, the decision to change your dogs diet should be based on health condition rather than actual age in years. Your vet will help you to determine when the right time is to alter your dogs diet.

Dog food that is prepared for senior dogs typically would have less calories. This is a big help to combat any weight issues. The senior dog food will also contain more fiber for the different needs in your senior dogs diet. When dogs age, they tend to suffer with constipation, the extra fiber will help cure 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.

Whenever possible, allow your dog to eat dry dog food to encourage excellent dental health. The dry kibble helps to reduce plaque and tartar buildup. If your older pet refuses to eat the food dry, you may need to moisten it with water or purchase moist canned varieties.

If your vet recommends that you need to use supplements as part of your senior dogs diet. It will be because, some pets are unable to eat properly due to oral problems. Other older pets are unable to get all of the nutrients they need from their food for different health reasons. Supplements such as daily vitamins and glucosamine can be a benefit to maintaining a healthy diet for your dog.

Glucosamine helps joint health. For senior dogs, glucosamine can help to fight arthritis and hip displasia.

Vitamins C, A, and E, are helpful in preventing the natural aging process and promote better health for senior dogs. You should always talk with your vet before adding such supplements to your dogs diet.

You want what is best for your pet. Your senior dog needs to have a diet that meets their special nutritional requirements. You and your vet can work together to decide what is the best diet for your senior dog. Your dogs diet directly affects his or her health. Take care of your pet by monitoring your dogs diet closely with the aid of your veterinarian.

About the Author:
G D Williams is an up and coming expert on pets and pet health. For more free help on dog diets, try visiting Dogs Diet Tips. A popular website that supplies advice and resources to include help Avoid Table Scraps in Your Dogs Diet.

Add to: File Insurance Business article Teen Photo Images