Looking after a senior dog requires as much care and understanding as looking after an ageing parent. Diet plays an important role in keeping your dog healthy, happy and comfortable during this time. A healthy diet consisting of nutrition-rich senior dog food can make all the difference in vitality during these sunset years as they deal with a slowing metabolism and a drop in energy. Let us tell you how!
Senior dog food vs Regular dog food
Many dog parents wonder if the calorie intake should be reduced as the metabolism slows while others contemplate whether high fiber dog food is the way to go. Or if sudden weight-drop or loss in appetite should raise an alarm. The trick is to provide them with the right kind of nutrition they will need according to their unique body type. Here’s a breakdown of what your senior dog’s diet should consist of:
Protein
Dogs lose precious body tissue as they age. In order to compensate for this, it’s important to include high-quality protein in their diet to help balance this shortfall. This is necessary for them to maintain lean muscle mass as they age.
Fibre
Senior dogs often suffer from constipation which is why they require at least 5% fibre from their diet to support and regularise healthy bowel movements.
Fatty Acids
Senior dogs experience reduced appetites which often plays into a slowing metabolism and general drop in energy. The best senior dog food accounts for these changes. A healthy dose of omega 6 fatty acids can help senior dogs maintain good vision, cognitive function and a healthy coat.
Micronutrients
A nutritional diet for senior dogs should contain antioxidants, vitamins and minerals to help support overall health. Nutrients such as Vitamin E play an important role in supporting their immune system and an optimal Ca:P ratio helps support teeth and bone health.
When it comes to feeding an ageing canine companion, the sound advice is simply to feed them a complete and balanced diet. They do well with kibble, especially if it is mixed with water, bone broth or wet food, so that it becomes even easier to chew.
Regular exercise can help your animal companion maintain a steady weight, while maintaining the same number of calories as adult dogs normally would. Hence, it’s advisable to complement steady physical activity along with a trusted diet to promote lean muscle mass in dogs. This reliable combination will help prevent bone loss and declining mobility which can occur when dogs in their senior years.