Older dogs have unique needs when it comes to their food and diet. You need to consider the amount of protein your dog is getting, are they getting all the critical nutrients that they need, and what is the consistency of each meal.
As dogs age, they have different food requirements to keep them healthy.
A high quality senior dog food has many components that go into it, because each dog will have different needs with their dog food.
Table of Contents
Need Of High Protein Diet
Senior dogs lose muscle mass just like senior people do as they age. High protein diets are essential for senior dogs. High protein diets provide amino acids which will counteract the loss of muscle mass.
Previously there was a misconception that greater amounts of protein in senior dog food could lead to kidney disease, so senior dog food was made with lower protein.
The truth is that higher levels of phosphorus is what can lead to kidney disease.
An older dog needs food with plenty of protein to help maintain strength and mobility.
Most older dogs don’t get the exercise that they used to, so they are in need of fewer calories. They should still get a diet that has protein and fat and more fiber to keep them healthy.
Easy Digestable Food
Older dogs have more problems with digestion. You might notice that as your dog ages, they more often have an upset stomach and may be vomiting more often after they eat their meals.
Protein is important to help maintain muscle.
Fresh foods are easier for the body to break down and pull nutrients from the food than a processed kibble. Artificial ingredients make digestion and processing of the nutrients harder as well.
Appealing Food
Senior dogs start having an inconsistent appetite. It is harder to keep them interested in their food, so it is important that you provide dog food that is appealing to your dog. Give them something that has plenty of nutrients so when their appetite fluctuates to eating or not eating, they are getting what they need for a healthy diet.
Soft Textured Dog Food
An older dog’s teeth are not what they used to be. They could be experiencing gum disease if they haven’t received regular cleaning of their teeth. Possibly they are missing some of their teeth.
Giving your dog softer food than kibbles will help them have more interest in eating their food and make it easier for them to eat.
Critical Ingredients Needed In Senior Dog Food
DHA or Docosahexaenoic Acid is a natural Omega-3 fatty acid. This is considered the “good fat.” It will help with cognitive functions as your dog ages. It is also considered an anti-inflammatory, which reduces inflammation that causes pain and reduces mobility. DHA is found in fish oil.
Your dog needs plenty of vitamins. An older dog won’t absorb nutrients as well as a younger dog. That is why additional vitamins are needed in their dog food to make sure they are getting enough.
Higher levels of antioxidants can provide some benefits in fighting senile dementia.
Upping your dog’s fatty acids and glucosamine can help relieve arthritis and joint pain.
Increasing your dog’s mixed fibers like psyllium can help general gastrointestinal support. Many older dogs can really benefit from increasing their fiber intake. They may either be constipated or experiencing diarrhea, that is why gastrointestinal support is important.
Look for dog food that has medium-chain triglycerides or MCT’s. It is a type of fat that usually comes from coconut oil or palm oil. You can also give it to your dog as a supplement if their dog food doesn’t provide it. It will help with your dog’s memory and their ability to learn as they age.
When Does Your Dog Need Senior Dog Food
All dogs age at a different speed. Larger dogs generally have a shorter life expectancy than smaller dogs, so they may be considered senior dogs by the time they are 9 years old where a small dog might not be considered a senior dog until they are 12 years old.
It is better to watch changes in your dog’s health to determine if they need an adjustment with their food than to decide it by how old they are.
Signs To Watch For With Older Dogs
- Does my dog show signs of muscle loss
- Has my dog’s appetite decreased
- Does my dog have arthritis or joint pain
- Is my dog showing signs of memory loss or behavioral changes
- Has my dog been constipated or have diarrhea
- Is my dog drinking less water
Buyer Beware
If you are looking to purchase some senior dog food, you might not be purchasing anything different from regular adult dog food. It may even be identical, only marketed differently.
There are no AAFCO guidelines or regulations of dog food requiring certain ingredients to be in senior dog food, so when you see the package stating “special benefits for older dogs” you might want to check the label against their regular adult dog food to see if there really are different ingredients.
Fresh Food For Senior Dogs
NomNomNow Dog Food is a great choice for getting a high quality senior dog food. The food is made fresh weekly and delivered to your home. There are no byproducts used, no additives and no artificial ingredients.
Make sure your older dog is getting all the nutrients that he needs.
You will receive a customized meal plan for your dog based on their age, weight, activity level and any special needs that your dog might have.
Each meal is individually packaged.
Benefits of feeding your senior dog NomNomNow
- Fresh food made from human grade food.
- Each meal is tailored for your dog.
- Individual portion sized packages – helping your to never overfeed or underfeed your dog.
- Weight management
- Food that has higher digestibility
- Softer texture
- Nutrient adjustments for what your dog would need
- Added joint supplements
- Added Omega-3’s and antioxidants
- All meals include protein, vegetables, healthy oils, vitamins and nutrient blend
- 4 fresh recipes to choose from – pork, chicken, turkey and beef
- All recipes created by U.S. leading veterinary nutritionist
- Free nutrition consultations
If you are looking for high quality senior dog food, NomNomNow is something that you should check out now. Their dog food will provide you with all the requirements that your aging dog will need. At least take a look around to see what they have to offer. I think you will be impressed.
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