Senior Dog Care: Essential Nutrition and Healthcare Tips

As our furry friends gracefully age, their nutritional and caring needs undergo significant changes. Like humans, aging dogs may become less active and more susceptible to age-related conditions. In this guide, we'll explore key considerations for providing optimal nutrition and care to your senior canine companions.

Is your best friend in his golden years?
Determining when a dog reaches its senior years depends mostly on factors such as size and breed and the following can be used as guidelines: 

• Small breeds typically enjoy a longer lifespan of 15 -20 years and are considered seniors at around 11 years of age. 
• Medium-sized breeds, transition into their senior years between 9 and 10 years.
• Larger breeds, with a shorter life expectancy, may reach their senior years as early as 7-8 years.

However, these figures serve as general benchmarks. Individual health conditions can influence when your pet reaches this life stage.

Understanding aging in dogs
As dogs age, they may display behavioral, and mood shifts like humans. While senior dogs might exhibit reduced activity levels, it's crucial to encourage regular physical activity. Consider adjusting the intensity rather than eliminating it entirely. Furthermore, mental stimulation becomes vital as older dogs may experience cognitive decline. Engaging them with games and activities can help maintain cognitive function.

Common health challenges 
When they start aging dogs may start developing different age-related conditions.
For example, it is common for older pets to start losing their sight and hearing. 
Consequently, you may notice that your pet is less reactive to your commands or has difficulty in moving through his usual boundaries. 

Other conditions on the other hand are more serious and require your vet’s attention.
Here is a list of the most common conditions your pet may struggle with:

• Heart disease
• Kidney or urinary tract disease
• Liver disease
• Diabetes
• Joint or bone disease
• Overweight or obesity
• Vision or hearing impairments
• Dental and gum diseases such as increased presence of tartar

Regular consultations with your veterinarian are essential during this phase to address these potential concerns effectively.

Nutritional needs of aging dogs
As in all stages of your pet’s life, proper nutrition remains paramount for its well-being. 
As dogs age, they naturally become less active, making them more susceptible to weight gain and obesity, thereby increasing their risk of developing serious health conditions like diabetes. Additionally, the extra weight can exacerbate strain on their joints, leading to reduced mobility. 

Adjusting their diet to align with reduced activity levels and the consequent potential health concerns is crucial during these later years. It is recommended to keep elderly dogs on a strict, low energy density diet to manage their weight effectively.

Ensuring they maintain a slightly leaner weight, will help in alleviating strain on their joints and promoting better mobility. More importantly it will help break the cycle of weight gain, decreased activity and consequently obesity.

If adjusting your senior dog’s nutrition plan may seem challenging, you can count on the help of a Farmina Nutrition Consultant, who will help you identify the appropriate food options and portion sizes for your elderly pet’s specific needs.

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