A Senior Dog Health Management: rich diet, exercise, vet checkups and supplements

Like humans, your dog also ages and it is relatively earlier than the age of humans. With age, numerous health problems arise in your dog, including skin and coat deterioration, loss of muscle mass, digestive problems, obesity, arthritis, dental problems, and decreased ability to fight infection. However, large dogs experience age-related changes sooner compared to smaller dogs who live longer. This gives us the clue to estimate when it’s time to feed your canine a senior diet food based on size.

A standard guideline to follow to determine how dogs age in relation to their size is:

• Small breeds or dogs weighing less than 20 pounds – 7 years of age.

• Medium breeds and dogs from 21 to 50 pounds – 7 years of age.

• Large breeds and dogs weighing 51 to 90 pounds – 6 years of age.

• Giant breeds and dogs weighing 91 pounds or more – 5 years of age.

Say no to low protein diets

Normally, it is believed that as dogs age, they require less protein. This is far behind the actual fact. Older dogs require as much protein as they were previously taking. Studies have shown that older dogs need to be provided with the proper level of protein, and this does not open doors to the development or progression of kidney failure. It is even crucial to feed older dogs optimal levels of easily digestible protein to help retain good muscle mass.

Be sure to provide a low calorie diet

Older dogs have been recorded to achieve a greater amount of body fat despite consuming fewer calories. Due to age, this change in a body is unstoppable and can be triggered due to reduced energy expenditure or a sudden change in metabolism. Whatever the reason, it is essential to eat a low-calorie diet to avoid any possibility of weight gain and the problems associated with obesity. However, reaching the proper protein level is important to help retain muscle mass.

Talk to your vet about changing your senior dog’s diet

Aging can directly affect a dog’s intestinal functionality. It can hinder intestinal bacteria, which can manifest the symptoms of gastrointestinal infections. When selecting a diet for senior dogs, make sure it contains FOS (Fructooligosaccharides) which promote the growth of beneficial bacteria, this invariably aids proper digestion, preventing any digestive problems.

Choose foods with a high ratio of vitamin E and beta-carotene

Antioxidants like vitamin E and beta-carotene help eliminate free radicals that can greatly damage body tissues and cause signs of aging. Diets for older dogs should contain higher levels of these antioxidant compounds. A good amount of antioxidants is responsible for increasing the effectiveness of immune power in older dogs.

stick to consistency

Never be inconsistent when it comes to routine geriatric pet care. Along with a consistent daily routine, timely veterinary examinations should be involved in diagnosing the presence or progress of a chronic disease. Stressful situations and sudden changes in daily routines should be avoided. If you’re looking to make a drastic change to your older pet’s routine, remember to put it on a gradual scale.

Simply put, older dogs experience a variety of physiological changes along with psychological changes. To deal with these changes, it is advisable to follow the proper diet that is recommended for older dogs. Two things to watch out for – your weight and agility. Your senior dogs not only need a proper diet and optimal weight, but also regular health checkups at a veterinary office. Not limited to this, care should extend to adding nutritional supplements to help your physical health. Well, by taking proper care of your senior dog, you can help him happily spend his golden years.