When dogs grow older, their bodies go through several age-related changes. Their health and energy levels gradually go down several notches. Their senses, such as sight and smell, are no longer as keen as when they were young spry canines. Also, their metabolism slows down so you need to make adjustments to your furry friend’s diet and feed him dog food for old dogs. SeniorDogs.com recently wrote about dog food for senior canines and how the foods are tailored for the specific needs of an old dog.
“It is very important for senior dogs to have an appropriate diet; nevertheless, there is no such thing as the best senior dog food. Yes, you read right, there is not a top-of-the-line senior dog food in the market, and this is simply because the best food for an older dog depends on its specific health problems and nutritional needs.
The majority of senior dog food brands offer low levels of protein, sodium, and phosphorus to support their aging hearts and kidneys. Older dogs can also benefit from larger amounts of certain vitamins.
In order to give your older dog the best health care possible, give it good quality senior dog food that is right for its specific needs, and do not let your dog gain too much weight. Avoid giving it table scraps or food leftovers, instead, reinforce an appropriate diet and stick to it.
Older dogs that suffer from arthritis find it very hard and painful to move and they may need very potent drugs to alleviate the pain. For pets that have this condition, maintaining a proper weight may help a lot in improving their quality of life, so if your dog is overweight, talk to your vet and ask him or her to recommend special senior dog food, lower in calories and higher in fiber, which will make it easier for your pal to lose weight.
Moreover, as your dog gets older, your vet may pinpoint special nutritional requirements and restrictions in order to hold back the development of certain illnesses specific to its breed, or to improve particular organ function.
Today, there are many special diets available for many different dog diseases, even when these develop early on. Good vets are very knowledgeable in regards to special senior dog food needs for kidney, liver, gastrointestinal, heart, dental and skin conditions, as well as for very serious illnesses like diabetes and cancer.” Read the entire post here.
Before you decide which brand of dog food for old dogs to give to your canine companion, first seek the advice of your vet. Specifically discuss the nutrients your old dog needs that match the specific health conditions he is experiencing. Don’t just go for the dog food that’s labeled “senior” because some senior dog foods have the same ingredients as dog foods not specifically made for old dogs. So forget about the marketing hype and find the nutritional mix you’re old dog needs. Once you and your vet determine the right dog food for your old dog, order the dog food online and save money.
