A Senior Dog Diet-just When Should You Give Your Dog One?

You may not want to admit it, but your furry friend is getting older. So you will want to make sure your pet will be happy and healthy for the more years to come. You may have seen all of the promotions about the new dog diets for older pets. Are there differences between dog food for adult dogs and kibble that is recommended specifically for seniors? How will you know when to switch your pet to a different diet?

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 trouble with there health and has a healthy weight, there will be not a need to change your dogs diet from adult to senior dog food. But, if weight is the an issue, consider giving smaller portions of dog food to your pet. This may be the only change you need to make to your dogs diet requires.

A senior dog is classed as a dog in the last third of their life. Larger dogs, such as Great Danes, live to be about 9 years old. When they reach the age of 9 years old, you may want to think about a senior dogs diet. On the other hand, a Poodle will not reach senior status until about age of ten, this is due to the longer life expectancy. The decision to alter your dogs diet should be based on there health condition, rather than there actual age in years. Your vet will help you to decide when the right time is to change your dogs diet.

Dog food specially made for senior dogs has less calories. This helps any weight issues. Senior dog food also contains more fiber for the different dietary needs in your dogs diet. As dogs age, they tend to have constipation, this extra fiber will help relieve this problem.

Renal failure can be another medical problem for senior dogs. How can your dogs diet help this problem? Reducing the amount of protein in your dogs diet will decrease the work load for the kidneys. For this reason, senior dog food frequently 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.

When your vet recommends supplements may be a help as part of your senior dogs diet. It Is because, some pets are unable to eat properly due to dental problems. many other older pets are not able to gain all of the nutrients from their food, this again is for various health reasons. Supplements such as, vitamins given everyday and glucosamine can be a great help to maintain 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 will want as we all want, what is best for your pet. Your senior dog needs to have a diet that meets their particular nutritional requirements. Work together with your vet, and you can both decide what is the best diet for your senior dog. Your dogs diet have a direct affect his or her health. Take care of your pet by observing your dogs diet closely, with the aid of your vet you should have a happy, health dog for many years to come.

Technorati Tags: Dietjust, give, Senior, Should