Nutritional needs for older dogs

I wrote about my older cat, so I thought I would research nutrition for older dogs to assist guardians further.

What is the definition of an older dog?'

Generally consider a dog to be 'older' if he is in the last third of his normal life expectancy. For example, a large breed dog such as a Great Dane that normally lives to be 9 years old, would be considered older or a "senior dog" when he reached age 6. A Poodle that normally lives to 15 years, would be older at 10 years of age. There are many exceptions to this rule of course and if a dog is active and in good shape, he should continue to be fed and exercised as a younger dog would. There are many 11-year-old dogs that can continue to be fed and exercised like three-year-olds.

Changes as a result of aging

As dogs age, they will undergo several different changes. They may undergo behavioural changes associated with arthritis or old age cognitive dysfunction. They may not be tolerant of small children and may have restless sleep, accidents in the house (urinary incontinence). Their vision may begin to fade a little and they may have difficulty seeing in low light situations. They also may have a loss of hearing and may be easily surprised or startled. Many senior dogs will not have the muscle strength or mass that they had as young dogs. They are going to be less active and need a warm comfortable bed. Their teeth are going to be worn and be prone to dental disease. In addition, they might start to develop conditions associated with old age such as kidney failure or heart disease. For all of these reasons, special care must be given to their diet.

Tendencies to be overweight

Because of decreased activity, many older dogs will gain weight. Obesity is a common problem in the older dog, and because they do not exercise as much, weight loss can be very difficult. It is much better to not let your dog get overweight than to try to make her lose weight when she gets older. But if she is overweight, then work very hard to get the extra weight off. It is one of the single most important things you can do to increase the quality and length of life for your pet.

Characteristics of 'senior' diets

Many older dogs will need a well-balanced diet that is lower in calories, but still has adequate protein and fat, and is higher in fibre. For some older dogs, we can continue to feed their regular food, but in a smaller quantity. Specially formulated senior diets are lower in calories and help to create a feeling of fullness. Lower fat usually translates to lower calories, so many senior diets have lower fat levels than adult maintenance or growth diets. Older dogs are more prone to develop constipation, so senior diets are often higher in fibre at around 3 to 5%. Wheat bran can be added to regular dog food to increase the amount of fibre. If your dog has significantly decreased kidney function, then a diet that is lower in phosphorus will lower the workload for the kidneys.

Getting older dogs to eat

Some older dogs suffer not from obesity, but from the other extreme: lack of weight gain and disinterest in food.

If a dog normally eats dry food, he may have decreased consumption because he has a hard time chewing the large kibble. By feeding a kibble with smaller pieces or moistening the food with water, it will be easier to chew.
Adding canned food or broth to the food will make it more appealing. When looking for recipes for a broth, please consider the salt and garlic content. While studies sugest garlic is okay for dogs, I have learned from a well known vet that it does affect dogs negatively. So unless your vet has recommended it, I wouldnt particularly try it.
Some dogs prefer cat food and will eat that readily, but this is often quite high in protein and should be avoided.
Some dogs can tolerate a small amount of milk or eggs added to the food. Homemade diets of boiled rice, potatoes, vegetables, and chicken with correct vitamin and mineral supplements works well with others. Ask your veterinarian which homemade diet recipe would be best for your dog. Do not try to formulate one yourself, as the vitamin and mineral levels are critical.
All dogs benefit from eating small amounts of fruits and vegetables, particularly when they’re older and more prone to constipation. Add fibre to your dog’s diet in the form of wheat bran, steamed fresh green beans or plain pumpkin.
Your geriatric dog will appreciate familiar, comfortable routines as much or more than he did when he was younger. Keep feeding him at the times he expects, twice a day, unless your vet has advised specific changes based on his health.

Assess the Bowl

When was the last time you bought a new food bowl? Was it during puppyhood? If so, it may be time to upgrade to something more senior-friendly. For dogs with joint trouble a raised bowl would be good to reduce the need to bend, keeping mealtime as comfortable as possible.

Supplements for older dogs

Aging dogs have special nutritional needs, and some of those can be supplied in the form of supplements. Feeding a daily supplement containing glucosamine and chondroitin, may help support joints. If your dog is not eating a complete balanced diet, then a vitamin/mineral supplement is recommended to prevent any deficiencies. As mentioned earlier, a fibre product such as wheat bran may help to reduce the incidence of constipation.

* this information is only from my research. If you note changes in your dog please discuss it with your vet. Reading up about an issue before your consultation, may assist you in asking the right questions while you are there.

Maybe you would like to book for a communication to understand why your dog is not eating?

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