Mary Allen
It is certainly the wish of every dog owner to have their darling at their side for as long and healthy as possible.
But at some point, our dogs also start to grow old. When a dog is considered old is completely different. Each breed of dog has a different life expectancy.
Basically, the smaller the animal, the higher the life expectancy.
If our four-legged friend is getting old, we should pay attention to a few important details, especially when it comes to nutrition. With this, we can make life and aging easier for him.
Does your senior need to watch their weight?
As your dog gets older, the internal organs are more susceptible to disturbances. Irregular feeding times or unfamiliar food can cause symptoms.
In most cases, four-legged friends become calmer with age and move much more slowly and less. As a result, older animals require far fewer calories.
The metabolism adapts. If fed the same way, this leads to obesity. Simply feeding smaller portions is not effective, however, because then there is a risk of a nutrient deficiency.
Why do old dogs lose weight?
However, some dogs get thinner and thinner with age for no apparent reason. In these cases, a declining sense of taste and smell or toothache can be the reasons.
The intestinal activity often decreases with age and the dog can no longer absorb the nutrients as well as before.
If your dog is one of those animals that is getting thinner, you can of course do without a calorie reduction.
Kidney function can decrease with age. In this case, the dog’s body only excretes small amounts of phosphorus through the kidneys. This can lead to an excess of phosphorus in the blood.
Phosphorus and calcium should be present in the body in a balanced ratio. If the phosphorus content is significantly increased, the body draws calcium from the skeleton. The bones lose minerals and become unstable.
At the same time, a compound of calcium and phosphorus is stored in the soft tissue and blood vessels. The consequences are circulatory disorders, hardening of the arteries, and a further deterioration in kidney function.
A lot of phosphorus in the blood,
little calcium in the bones
= bad for the kidneys
Phosphorus is found in many foods. Fish, bones, dairy products, nuts, and offal are the main sources of phosphorus.
Good quality senior dog food contains an adjusted amount of phosphorus. If your dog is diagnosed with an existing kidney problem, the veterinarian will suggest a therapeutic kidney diet.
Protein, easily digestible served
As the dog gets older, the protein content becomes more important. The higher the quality of the protein, the better the dog’s body can utilize it.
Muscle meat and heart are ideal for seniors. Egg, quark, and cottage cheese are ideal. These foods offer the dog, particularly high-quality protein. It can already be broken down by enzymes in the duodenum. And can therefore be digested better.
Meat that contains too much tendon or cartilage is difficult for the dog to digest and ends up in the large intestine almost undigested.
If the dog receives a lot of hard-to-digest protein, sometimes even toxic substances such as ammonia are produced, which enter the body through the intestinal mucosa. These toxins burden the internal organs and lead to bloating and diarrhea.
Which vitamins are important for old dogs?
L-carnitine and antioxidants such as vitamins C and E are important for older dogs.
- Vitamin C is mainly found in sea buckthorn, parsley, liver, and black currant.
- Vitamin E is found in coconut oil, olive oil, safflower oil, and salmon oil.
These vitamins delay the aging process and strengthen the immune system.
Water-soluble vitamins, such as the B group, can be administered in larger doses because the kidneys are usually more permeable to them. The B vitamins include thiamine, niacin, biotin and folic acid.
With fat-soluble vitamin A, however, caution is advised. Vitamin A accumulates in fatty tissue and can put a heavy strain on the liver in old age.
Therefore, avoid liver, cod liver oil, and an excessive dose of vitamin pastes.
Digestion becomes sluggish
In contrast to the kidneys, the liver is capable of regeneration. But also kidney diseases, diabetes, or cardiac insufficiency can put a heavy strain on the liver.
Does the blood count show elevated liver values, your veterinarian will prescribe an appropriate diet.
It is often observed in older dogs that they get dry fur, hair loss, or, skin irritation with itching. A targeted supply of essential fatty acids such as omega 3 fatty acids can help here.
Which diet for osteoarthritis in dogs?
Essential fatty acids are contained in fish oil and linseed oil and are of great importance for the joints. The joints have Green-lipped mussel extract, especially with a tendency to arthrosis.
You should feed fewer bones as your dog gets older. Because the intestine becomes sluggish. Therefore, constipation can occur much more quickly.
If your senior’s digestion isn’t quite working as it should, you can initially help with a light diet. Cook rice with chicken and enrich it with low-fat quark or cottage cheese.
Tips on nutrition and feeding
Feeding old dogs requires some rethinking of food. The energy requirement decreases and the need for nutrients changes. That is why we have explained the feeding rules that you should change.
The subject is complex. However, it is normal for diseases to increase in older dogs. In addition to senior food, offer plenty of water. Because drinking supports kidney function. This applies equally to dry food and wet food.
Always keep a close eye on your animal as it gets older and react quickly to changes. This will help your dog grow old healthily.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should you feed an older dog?
Senior citizens. As your dog gets old (usually 8+), their nutritional needs change a bit. Just like for adults, we recommend two meals a day for senior dogs – ideally one meal in the morning and one in the evening.
What nutrients does an old dog need?
Gourmet kitchen for old dogs
Muscle meat, heart, egg, also quark, or cottage cheese are easily digestible. High-quality protein is already broken down by the digestive enzymes in the duodenum into components that the body can work with.
Does senior dog food make sense?
The higher fiber content in senior dog food also helps to strengthen the intestinal barrier (most pathogens enter the body through the intestines) and thereby relieves the immune system.
Do dogs get more hungry as they get older?
Old age. As the dog gets older, behavioral problems or physical problems can set in. As a result of the diseases mentioned, a significant increase in appetite is often observed.
What do you have to consider with old dogs?
Aging dogs find it difficult to adapt to changes in everyday life. It is therefore important not to change routines suddenly, but – if necessary – slowly and gently. Loving care is even more important in old age. Brushing, scratching, regular checking of teeth, eyes, and ears: old dogs need a lot of care.
Why not feed the dog after 5 p.m.?
Dogs should not be fed after 5 p.m. because it reduces the quality of sleep, leads to obesity, and makes it difficult to maintain a stable routine. It also ensures that the dog has to go out at night and increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Which vitamins are important for dogs?
Your dog needs iron, vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin D, vitamin E, and vitamin K. However, since vitamins are sometimes not contained in sufficient quantities in daily food, specialized manufacturers have developed tablets and powders that provide your dog with the missing nutrients must.
Why is my dog so hungry?
The dog is always hungry: illness
Metabolic diseases such as hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid), diabetes mellitus (diabetes), or Cushing’s disease (hyperfunction of the adrenal cortex) lead to increased appetite and weight gain due to the disruption of the hormonal balance.