Senior Dog Nutrition

 Choosing the best dog food for your four-legged friend is not as easy as it sounds.  In fact, in 2018, there was an estimated 630 brands of dog food to choose from!  There are many factors which should be considered when selecting a brand of dog food.  You will need to pay close attention to breed, lifestyle, size, allergies, and general health.  All those areas play a big part in the equation of finding the best dog food for your pup!  The goal of this article is to provide you with additional insight on how you should make the best decision for your senior dog.

Once a dog reaches senior status, their health, energy, and stamina tend to decline which also means their metabolism will slow down as well.  There are many dog foods on the market which cater to seniors which have lower calories, higher fiber, and additional vitamins and minerals.  Keep in mind that not all dogs need senior dog food.  It really depends on their current health condition and how active they are.

You should consult with your veterinarian if your dog loses interest in eating.  There are many reasons why this may happen.  One reason is that they may not be able to chew the food, due to gum or dental disease.  We recommend that you add wet food or water to the food to try to soften it up.  Interestingly, dogs do not rely on taste when deciding whether they like their food or not.  If it smells good, they will eat it!  So please do not assume that they are not eating their food because they do not like the taste of it.

As a rule, you will need to avoid senior dog food which contains artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.  These are not good for your dog’s health.  Focus on getting food that is low in ingredients, but higher in quality.  The best choice for dog food is high in protein (look for chicken or salmon meal).  As your dog gets older, you may need to re-evaluate their nutritional needs to determine if their food is adequate for their health.