You may be thinking about special dog food for your senior four legged companion. When it comes to online shopping for dogs, you should definitely keep an eye on the food you buy for a senior dog, with or without a medical history of his/her own. Dogs are usually classified as senior when they are half as old as life expectancy figures. However, this depends on multiple factors such as the body weight and breed. The life span of smaller dogs usually ranges between 15-20 years while larger ones are expected to live for at least 12-15 years. As a result, seniority for the latter arises from 6 years onwards and the former types are considered old enough at about 9 years of age.
Senior dogs usually require special diets that are low in calories with a view towards preventing unwanted obesity in addition to diets that are high in fiber with a bid towards enhancing overall gastrointestinal health. As metabolic requirements are lower for older dogs, they are more likely to pile on the pounds. Energy requirements also scale down considerably as a result. In addition, specific ailments or diseases of senior dogs often necessitate suitable diet plans tailored to the same. In such situations, dog owners should check out options pertaining to dog food for bladder stones, special dog food for kidney stones and even dog food for allergies of various kinds.
There are several scientific formulations created by dog food organizations and companies and these are regarded as suitable for senior dogs owing to their low calorie content and other ingredients. However, some owners have more than one dog and may not want to acquire separate foods for their pets. In such circumstances, multi-stage foods would be okay for seniors and puppies alike. However, there are certain compromises in this regard. According to veterinarians and experts, it is always best to opt for the first option, namely specially formulated food for senior dogs.
Older dogs should be given snacking options that are low in fat and healthy in general. Milk biscuits and bones are not necessarily the best treats for senior dogs. A good option is to go for vegetables and some fruits too with the exception of raisins and grapes. Water balance maintenance is one function that is affected with advancing age and hence older dogs are seen to require more water than before. This is another aspect that pet owners should always keep in mind. In case of heart related diseases and ailments, it is always best to opt for lower calorie diet meals, especially those with lower sodium content.
Diabetics should be served low fat meals which are high in fiber. This also applies for dogs with constipation problems of their own. Decreasing on protein may not be the right strategy; diets with quality protein may actually help with regard to the maintenance of muscle mass and body weight. Always consult your veterinarian when it comes to choosing the best diets for senior dogs.
