Through thick and thin, our adorable fur babies are lifelong friends and companions! But as they reach their sunset years, you may notice them greying around their muzzle or having less energy than before.Ā
Of course, in our eyes, itās hard to see our dogs as anything other than the young and spunky little puppies they were! Nevertheless, thereās a lot to consider when it comes to caring for a senior pup.
CHANGES IN SENIOR DOGS
Although large dogs tend to enter their senior years earlier than their smaller counterparts, most elderly pups experience similar changes. The most common of them being a reduction in their activity level.Ā
In these cases, itās sometimes important to transition to more suitable senior dog food diets that are made specifically for elderly dogs.Ā For instance, despite their reduced activity levels, their appetite may remain somewhat similar, resulting in them gaining weight more easily. A leaner diet may be more suitable for them, in that case.
Other changes your senior dog might need in their diet:
Higher Fibre
Less fat and calories
Higher Quality protein sources
Omega Fatty Acids
Antioxidants
Some of the best dog food for senior dogs in the market can be found right here at GoodDogPeople. Take a look at our features Senior dog supplies here.
SENIOR DOG NEEDS
Another thing to note is that our pupsā needs will change. As they grow older, they tend to be more sensitive to changes in the temperature - especially when itās getting cold. This makes a nice and comfortable bed an essential for elderly dogs.
Theyāll also need more grooming sessions as their coat and skin change with time. So stock up on your grooming tool kit!
You can find out more about suitable senior dog supplies you might need and how you can care for your Senior Pup here!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Older dogs may actually need more protein than their younger counterparts to maintain their muscles. With or without exercise, older dogs are more likely to lose their muscle mass - and therefore their protein reserves.
This could adversely impact their immune system and their bodyās ability to respond to physical trauma, stress or infectious agents. Plus a loss of protein reserves also means a loss of vital amino acids that help repair tissue and facilitate energy metabolism.
As a rule of thumb, senior diets should have an increased protein-to-calorie ratio, with at least 25 percent of calories coming from protein.Ā
Because older pups tend to have lower activity levels, they also require less calories. For many pups, this means theyāll get weight more easily if theyāre not put on a more suitable diet. There are also many other different needs that senior food can address, such as the level of protein and the type of supplemental vitamins and nutrients your pup may need.Ā
Of course, general speaking, itās not always necessary. As long as your dog is consuming a healthy, high quality and well-balanced diet, there may not always be a need to switch to senior dog food. Just ensure that your pupās diet contains a higher concentration of meat-based proteins, with moderate calories.Ā
In general, you should try and consult the recommended feeding amount on the label of your dog food. If they do not have a section for elderly dogs, take their recommended adult diet and reduce it.Ā
As a rule of thumb, adult dogs are fed approximately ā cup for every 10 pounds. You can try reducing this to Ā¼ cups for your senior pup. Regardless, make sure to monitor your pupās weight closely to ensure they are consuming enough food!
