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

[Robin Fiennes]

You hate to admit it, but your furry pal is getting a little older.
You want to ensure that your pet is happy and healthy for many years
to come. You have heard all of the hype about the new dog diets for
older pets. Is there really a difference between dog food for adult
dogs and kibble recommended specifically for seniors? How do you know
when to switch your pet to a different diet?
The best place to get help and advice about dog diets is your pets
veterinarian. Only you and your veterinarian know any of the specific
needs your pet has. Discuss with your vet your concerns and voice any
questions as well. He or she will suggest any changes, or if indeed
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 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, that often occurs to
senior dogs. How can your dogs diet help this problem? By reducing the
amount of protein you feed your dog in its diet, will lower the work
load for the kidneys. This is the reason, that senior dog food mostly
has lower protein content than regular adult formulas.
You should when possible, give your dog to eat dry dog food to
encourage excellent dental health. Dry kibble helps to reduce plaque
and any tartar buildup. If your senior pet rejects the food dry, then
try moistening it with water or you could the 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 to encourage joint health. For senior dogs,
glucosamine can combat 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.
http://groups.google.com/group/dogfoodmave/