Best food to feed a senior dog

It is so important that we support our dogs through every life stage, from puppyhood to old age. As a dog ages and becomes "senior" we need to understand how their body is changing and how we can help them feel their best, so we asked our in-house Vet Alison to answer some questions we had about older dogs: 

When does a dog officially become a "senior"? 

You might be wondering when a dog is classified as a senior, they don't get a bus pass or go into retirement like humans, so it's not always obvious... 

Senior: A dog in the second half of its predicted life expectancy can be considered as ‘senior’. Most will still be healthy but beginning to experience signs of ageing. 

Geriatric: A dog at the older end of the ageing spectrum, perhaps from 80-90% of their life expectancy, may well be experiencing more health-related issues. 

It's important to note that different sized breeds tend to age differently. Large breeds often age faster and have shorter lifespans. 

What changes might occur in my ageing dog? 

As dog's age, they will naturally experience changes throughout their body systems. Typical changes will be seen in the following areas: 

Digestive system - as dog's age they can be more prone to conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease and colitis and therefore highly digestible natural diets are often best, to make sure they get the most out of their food. Some older dogs can be prone to constipation - so it’s important to choose a food with a good balance of quality fibre, like that from fruit & vegetables. A food with a softer consistency can be beneficial for those dogs suffering from dental pain and issues. 

Brain /nervous system - many older dogs can show signs of senile behaviour. However, antioxidants have been shown to be useful in slowing disease progression. Antioxidants have also been shown to aid in the fight against cancer - cancer being more prevalent in older dogs. 

Musculoskeletal system - with age, dogs can suffer from osteoarthritis. Arthritis is inflammation within the joints and Omega 3 fatty acids have been shown to be beneficial in reducing this inflammation and therefore pain. Supplements Glucosamine and Chondroitin also serve as building blocks to help develop and maintain cartilage health and elasticity. 

With a loss of muscle comes weakness and loss of ease of motion - so it’s important to provide adequate high-quality protein to maintain muscle mass as a dog ages - special consideration of the protein level will be needed if there is existing kidney disease and the level may need to be lowered. 

Does my dog need a special diet now that they’re older? 

Diet greatly affects health and you're never too old to make changes. Here are some tips when choosing a diet for your much-loved faithful friend: 

• Does it have good quality protein? 
• Is it easily digestible i.e. Fresh and natural and not highly processed? 
• Does it provide a balanced fibre source to support digestion? 
• Will it provide fatty acids, such as a good quality fish oil, or joint supplements to support joint health? 
• Is it a high source of natural antioxidants, vitamins and minerals? 

My dog seems fussy at an older age; how do I keep them eating? 

If a dog goes off their food, it’s important to get them to vet checked and make sure there are no medical reasons for this. If no health issues are discovered then try to get them in a good routine, feeding at set times. Feed a variety of our recipes to keep interest up, warming the food can help too. Bone broth is also great for elderly dogs as their appetite changes.  

Does my dog need the same number of calories as when they were younger? 

As dog's age, their metabolic rate will slow and this, coupled with decreased activity, results in a lower energy requirement. In older dogs we need to consider this so that we do not overfeed and create overweight or obese dogs - this would be detrimental to health and worsen conditions such as arthritis etc. 

Do I need to consider the fat content of my old dog’s food? 

Higher fat foods will be more calorie-dense - so, as above, if the older dog is tending to put weight on, it can be useful to lower the fat content of their food as well as consider portion size. As dog's age, they can be more prone to pancreatitis and these dogs will benefit from lower-fat foods. For healthy dogs with less of an appetite, a more moderate fat level can make the food more appealing and help them to maintain their condition. 

How can Different Dog help? 

Different Dog is hand-cooked using a high-quality protein that is highly digestible, with a good balance of fibre, making it a great option for the senior dog. The variety in our recipes means that there is a choice of fat levels and meat types. All of our ingredients and superfoods are of the highest quality, locally supplied and packed with essential fatty acids and antioxidants, which are beneficial for the older dog. 

Here’s a selection of our recipes that are perfect for senior dogs: 

Stay Supple Fish Supper