Dogs have different nutritional needs at different stages of life. That's why their diet should change as they get older.
Breed matters when deciding whether a dog is a senior. In general, large breeds develop faster and can show signs of aging at 5–6 years old. Large dogs generally have shorter lifespans than small breeds. In small breeds, aging starts at 8–9 years old.
Dogs often still look very healthy when they enter their senior years, so signs of aging can be quite hard to spot.
The main signs of aging in dogs are:
- Vision problems
- Coat and skin problems
- Weight loss or excessive weight gain
- Bad breath
- Sagging skin
As dogs age, their diet needs to be adjusted. A different feeding plan should be followed than for a healthy adult dog. Keep the following in mind:
- Amount of food
- Easy digestion
- Softer texture and/or formulation for dental problems
- Added joint supplements
- MCTs, omega-3s and antioxidants
It's healthier to keep these in mind when choosing a food.
- Some senior dogs don't need any change in their food, but factors such as activity level and health problems are important reasons to change eating habits.
Senior dogs use up their protein stores faster, which can lead to loss of muscle mass. So senior dogs' protein intake should be increased. As the protein content of a food goes up, so does its phosphorus content. If your dog has kidney disease, this can be a concern. Try to avoid foods that contain too much phosphorus and sodium. To keep their internal organs healthier, make sure their food includes nutrients that support the immune system and heart health, such as taurine or L-carnitine.
Food should be chosen based on the dog's body weight. Some senior dogs lose weight while others put it on. Depending on this, your veterinarian may recommend a lower- or higher-fat food.
- High-fiber foods help support dogs' digestive systems. Dogs with digestive problems such as constipation in particular should eat high-fiber dog food. Digestive problems are among the most common issues in senior dogs.
As dogs age, changes happen in their intestines. According to research, aging itself is not the main cause of these changes, but intestinal problems that develop over time, such as colitis, show up in old age. So senior dogs should eat highly digestible foods.
If your dog has digestive problems, high-fiber dog food can be a good choice. To make the food more digestible, its fat content may also be a little higher than normal. If your dog has no digestive problems, there's no need to change the food.
- Senior dogs often have dental problems. Especially if their teeth and mouth weren't cared for regularly when they were younger, they are more likely to lose teeth later in life. So one thing to look for when choosing a senior dog food is a soft texture. For this, you can choose wet food, or you can also offer fresh and raw foods.
Senior dog foods adjusted for dental sensitivity often simply have a higher moisture content. Some also contain special ingredients to fight oral problems. These include beneficial bacteria and additives that keep minerals from sticking together.
- At this stage, our pets need foods rich in antioxidants. Vitamin C is very important for preventing loss of cognitive and sensory function, protecting the senses and slowing aging at the cellular level.
- Weight control is very important in senior dogs. Extra weight makes joint problems quite likely. To help prevent this, glucosamine, chondroitin, EPA and DHA can be given as supplements, which can help reduce joint problems. Omega-3 fatty acids are also important for reducing joint pain.
Since many dog foods don't contain glucosamine, chondroitin, EPA and DHA, they can be given separately. You can use dog vitamins for this. For the best results, ask your veterinarian.
- Memory problems are another issue seen in senior dogs. Older dogs may show a decline in their ability to learn. To help prevent this, some dog foods contain added supplements.
MCTs: A type of fat. For this supplement, look for coconut oil or palm oil in the dog food's ingredient list.
Beta-carotene: A plant-based nutrient found in some fruits and vegetables.
DHA: An omega-3 fatty acid found in high concentrations in fish and algae oil. As with MCTs, DHA can be added to a dog's diet.