The nutritional needs of dogs vary with age. There are a lot of myths and misconceptions about feeding senior or aging dogs. While you don’t have to be a nutritionist to feed a senior dog correctly, it is better to know what to feed your senior dogs to keep them healthy and active.
This article explains everything you need to know about feeding a senior dog.
When is a Dog considered Mature or Senior?
A dog reaches maturity around the halfway point of its breed’s expected lifespan and is considered senior in the last quarter of that span. Large breeds may become seniors as early as 5-8 years, while small breeds often reach this stage at 8-10. “Geriatric” describes dogs exceeding their breed’s average lifespan, often requiring specialized care.
Senior Dog Diet Recommendation
A dog’s diet typically comprises proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and water. These nutrients are essential for various bodily functions, maintaining health, and supporting growth and energy. You need to adjust these nutrients for a senior or mature dog.
Don’t Limit Protein
Protein intake for senior dogs is widely misunderstood among pet parents. They try to limit protein intake as dogs become less active. However, this isn’t true. Senior dogs often require a higher proportion (about 50 percent more) of high-quality protein in their diet to help maintain muscle mass and support overall health, even as their total caloric intake might decrease due to less activity.
The exact amount should be tailored to the individual dog’s health status and kidney function, as some senior dogs may have reduced renal efficiency. It’s important to consult with a veterinarian to determine the appropriate protein level for a senior dog’s specific needs.
Keep a Check on Calories
As dogs age, their metabolic rate typically slows down, which means they need fewer calories to maintain their body weight and function. Overfeeding can easily lead to obesity in senior dogs, which in turn increases the risk of health problems such as diabetes, joint issues, and heart disease. On the flip side, you may need to increase the calories in a senior dog’s diet if he is underweight.
It’s crucial to monitor and adjust a senior dog’s caloric intake based on their activity level, health status, and body condition score. Regular check-ups with a veterinarian can help determine the right caloric needs and prevent weight gain.
Feeding for Organ Health
For senior dogs, supporting heart and kidney health through diet is vital. For heart health, diets low in sodium and rich in omega-3 fatty acids (from fish oils) can be beneficial, as they help manage blood pressure and reduce inflammation.
For kidney health, a diet formulated with reduced phosphorus, lower but high-quality protein, and increased omega-3 fatty acids can help manage the progression of kidney disease by reducing the workload on the kidneys. It’s important to introduce these dietary changes under veterinary supervision, as individual needs can vary greatly depending on the dog’s specific health conditions.
Add Supplements
Incorporating supplements into a senior dog’s diet can further support organ health. For heart health, supplements like taurine, L-carnitine, and Coenzyme Q10 are often recommended as they can improve heart function.
For kidney support, omega-3 supplements (from fish oil) can reduce inflammation, and antioxidants may help protect kidney tissues. Always consult a veterinarian before adding any supplements to your senior dog’s regimen to ensure they are necessary and given in the correct dosage, as well as to prevent any potential interactions with medications your dog may be taking.
Hydration
Hydration is critical for senior dogs, especially for maintaining kidney health and overall physiological functions. Adequate water intake helps flush toxins from the kidneys, supports proper digestion, and aids in nutrient absorption.
Older dogs may not feel as inclined to drink water, so ensuring easy access to fresh water is essential. Wet food can also increase hydration and may be more appealing to older dogs with decreased appetite or dental issues. Monitoring water intake is important; significant changes may indicate health issues requiring veterinary attention.
Easy to Chew and Eat
As dogs age, they may experience dental issues or a decreased jaw strength, making it harder to chew hard kibble. To accommodate this, senior dog food should be softer and easier to chew. Wet food or moistened dry food can be more palatable and digestible for them.
Additionally, smaller kibble sizes or pâté-type foods can also help. It’s important to ensure that the food is still nutritionally balanced to meet their specific needs at this stage of life. Regular dental check-ups are also crucial to address any oral health issues that might make eating difficult.
Fresh Vegetables that can help
- Sweet Potatoes and Carrots: These are high in dietary fiber and vitamins, aiding digestion and providing low-calorie nutrients to support eye health.
- Spinach: Rich in antioxidants, spinach helps combat inflammation and age-related cellular damage in senior dogs.
- Bell Pepper: Full of vitamins A, C, and E, bell peppers can boost the immune system and may help improve skin and coat health in older dogs.
- Pumpkin: Pumpkin is a great source of fiber, which can help with digestion, and its soft texture is gentle on senior dogs’ teeth.
Supplement Aids
- Coconut or Olive Oil: These oils provide healthy fats that can support a senior dog’s coat, skin health, and cognitive function.
- Turmeric: Contains curcumin, which has anti-inflammatory properties that may help alleviate symptoms of arthritis and improve joint health in senior dogs.
- Wild Fish Oil: Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, it can reduce inflammation and support joint, heart, and cognitive health in aging dogs.
- Glucosamine and Chondroitin: These supplements are often used to support joint health, helping to maintain cartilage and reduce joint pain in senior dogs.
- Probiotics: They promote a healthy digestive system, aid in nutrient absorption, and help maintain a balanced gut microbiome in senior dogs.
How much to Feed a Senior Dog?
A senior dog typically needs
- 1/4 to 1/3 cup of dry food per 10 pounds of body weight per day
- Protein: 25-30% of their diet
- Fats: Approximately 10-15% of their daily intake
- Fiber: 5-10% for digestive health
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Around 0.5-1% of total diet
- Reduced phosphorus and sodium: Amounts tailored to individual health requirements, often lower than adult levels
Health Problems That Affect a Senior Dog’s Diet
- Dental Disease: Pain or tooth loss can make chewing difficult, necessitating softer, wet foods or moistened kibble for easier consumption.
- Obesity: A slower metabolism in older dogs requires lower-calorie diets to prevent excess weight gain, which can exacerbate joint problems and lead to metabolic disorders.
- Kidney Disease: Reduced kidney function requires diets lower in phosphorus and protein to decrease kidney workload and slow disease progression.
- Arthritis: Inflammatory joint disease may benefit from diets enriched with omega-3 fatty acids and glucosamine to reduce inflammation and support joint health.
- Cognitive Dysfunction: Antioxidant-rich diets and specific nutrients like fatty acids DHA and EPA can help manage symptoms of cognitive decline in aging dogs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the right mix of protein, fat, phosphorus, and sodium for senior dogs?
The right mix of protein, fat, phosphorus, and sodium for senior dogs depends on their individual health conditions. Generally, a lower-fat diet may be appropriate for less active seniors to prevent obesity. Protein should be high-quality and adequate to maintain muscle mass without overburdening the kidneys, so often slightly reduced but of higher biological value.
Phosphorus levels often need to be lower to ease kidney strain, and reduced sodium can benefit heart health. Precise ratios should be determined by a veterinarian based on specific health assessments and may require a prescription diet tailored to the dog’s needs.
How do you choose treats and snacks for a senior dog?
When choosing treats and snacks for a senior dog, choose low-calorie, high-fiber options to avoid weight gain and support digestive health. Ensure they are soft and easy to chew if the dog has dental issues. Also, consider functional treats that include supplements beneficial for age-related conditions, such as those supporting joint health or cognitive function. Always introduce new treats gradually and in moderation, and seek those specifically formulated for senior dogs.
What health conditions can I manage through diet for my senior dog?
Health conditions that can be managed through diet for a senior dog include obesity, kidney disease, arthritis, dental issues, and cognitive dysfunction. Tailoring their diet to be lower in calories, rich in omega-3 fatty acids, with adjusted levels of specific nutrients like phosphorus and sodium, and adding supplements like glucosamine can aid in managing these conditions.
What to do if a senior dog doesn’t eat?
If a senior dog doesn’t eat, first try enhancing the palatability of their food by warming it or adding a topper they enjoy. If the lack of appetite persists, it’s important to consult a veterinarian to rule out underlying health issues and to receive tailored advice, which may include appetite stimulants or a dietary adjustment.
Can my senior dog have raw food?
Senior dogs can have raw food if it is part of a balanced diet and prepared hygienically to prevent bacterial contamination. However, it’s important to consider that some senior dogs may have compromised immune systems or digestive systems that are more sensitive, which could be negatively affected by a raw diet. It’s best to consult a veterinarian before introducing raw food to a senior dog’s diet.