Food for senior dogs: what to favor and what to avoid
Food for senior dogs is completely different from that for young dogs. As they age, our friends experience a slowdown in metabolism that could make them gain weight quickly and in an unhealthy way. How to do it? Aldog® has thought about it, with Low Fat croquettes for senior dogs!
Yes, we would like it to never happen, but even the dog at home ages – let's say around 7–10 years, depending on the breed and size. And we see it not only from the whiskers and coat that begin to turn gray, but also from some signs such as: general loss of energy, blindness and/or partial deafness, dehydration, slowing of metabolism and gastrointestinal activity, increase in fat mass, obesity.
What characteristics should senior dog food have?
As the dog gets older, it moves much less and its energy requirement drops by about 20%. At the same time, its metabolism also slows down and changes because the feed is no longer converted into muscle, but into fat. Given the premises, it will be natural for you to reduce the daily food ration…
And, in fact, to combat possible excess weight, the elderly dog's diet should include fewer calories than an adult colleague, but this does not mean giving our friend a smaller quantity of food.
In fact, food for senior dogs must be nutritious enough and include:
#1 Vitamins C, E and B
They are essential to strengthen the immune system of dogs and fight free radicals . But it doesn't end there: food for senior dogs should also contain vitamin B, which is water-soluble; vitamin A, on the other hand, being fat-soluble, requires greater effort from the liver, and it is good to be careful about it.
#2 Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids
These acids strengthen the coat, skin, and joints ; They are essential in food for senior dogs because, with age, our friends can suffer from infections and dermatitis and have dry fur.
#3 Protein
However you look at it, dogs are carnivores – and they are also big gluttons. Animal proteins, therefore, must be the main element in a ration of food for senior dogs because the body easily metabolizes them.
#4 Fibers
The action of fibers should not be underestimated: by absorbing water, in fact, they make the dog perceive the sense of satiety sooner, but not only that. The general slowing down of the metabolism also has consequences on the correct intestinal activity and that, instead, is favored by fibers.
#5 Easily digestible cereals
They are contained in almost all types of senior dog food, but they should be in much smaller proportions than meat. Above all, they should be double-cooked, a process that makes the starch much more easily digestible.
#6 Water
If you opt for a type of dry food for senior dogs, encourage your furry friend to drink a little more. At a certain age, in fact, dehydration is just around the corner. You can possibly add a spoonful of chicken broth to the bowl of water, to give a little more flavor and make sure he drinks with gusto.
Aldog® Low Fat is the perfect food for senior dogs
Do you have a senior dog over eight years of age? Then you need Aldog® Low Fat , the croquettes for senior dogs rich in vitamins, minerals and chondroitin, glucosamine and MSM .
In detail, it is a type of dry food for older dogs:
with reduced fat intake to maintain ideal weight
- free from chemical additives
- with gluten-free formula also for animals intolerant to gluten
- from traceable Italian supply chain
- easy to digest
For a dog in shape despite its age, choose Aldog® Low Fat kibble!
Is there anything to exclude from the diet of senior dogs?
When we choose food for our elderly dog we must be careful not to integrate it with foods that, in reality, are harmful at every stage of their growth, such as:
- chocolate, ice cream, sugar and sweets
- garlic and onions
- walnuts
- salty snacks
- grapes, raisins and avocado
- egg
- little bones
How often should you feed an older dog?
The amount of food needed to provide adequate nutrition to your senior dog depends on several factors, including size , breed , activity level, and health. In general, it is recommended to reduce the daily food intake by 25-30% compared to that of an adult dog.
Rations must then be studied taking into account the greater digestion difficulties of older specimens: at least 3 meals are typically recommended, to be administered throughout the day. This helps to facilitate the assimilation of the nutritional principles present in the food, for older dogs of all ages. Generally speaking, try if possible to increase the number of meals, decreasing the quantity of food for each ration.
Before deciding on your senior dog's diet once and for all, always remember to:
- Consult the information on the packaging : the nutritional tables on dog food provide various useful information, especially if it is food for senior dogs. Clearly, understanding the energy intake of individual meals is in fact fundamental;
- Contact a vet : we know that older animals are quite delicate. Contacting an expert is never a bad choice, especially if your slightly older friend already has some problems.
We have revealed all the secrets to create the perfect diet for your specimen: now it's time to make a loving choice, for you and your adventure companion!
