| What changes do you need to make to your dog | | | | When your dog's protein intake is low due to |
| feeding regime as your dog gets older? | | | | inappetance, this can be increased by heating the |
| The changes you make to your dog feeding regime, | | | | food to increase palatability and release more |
| and when you make them will vary depending on the | | | | aromas, and by feeding smaller more frequent meals |
| age of your dog, and the breed of your dog. | | | | and by supplementing with vitamins. |
| It is considered that the larger and giant breeds of | | | | Carbohydrates are mainly provided by cereals and |
| dog age earlier than the smaller and toy breeds of | | | | legumes in the diet, and these are a cheap source of |
| dog. | | | | energy. |
| Your objective in managing the nutrition of the older | | | | Care should be taken with the sugar content of |
| dog is to enhance his quality of life, delay further | | | | some of these foods |
| ageing changes, and to extend his life whilst | | | | Fats are essential in the diet to provide a vehicle for |
| maintaining his optimal weight. | | | | fat soluble vitamins, and are essential for the health |
| You are also trying to slow down the onset of | | | | of old dogs. |
| disease and improve immune function. | | | | However too much may result in obesity, so again |
| Older dogs will generally be less active than younger | | | | moderation is the rule. |
| dogs so as a rule will require a less energy dense dog | | | | Fibre has a role too in the elderly dog as many are |
| food, unless of course the dog's appetite is reduced | | | | predisposed to constipation. |
| for some reason. | | | | Adding fibre in the form of wheat bran or cooked |
| Continuing to feed a dog the same amount of food | | | | vegetables two or three times a week will help to |
| with less exercise will inevitably result in obesity, a | | | | keep your elderly dog regular! |
| problem all too common in many dogs today. | | | | Most dog foods will have more than adequate levels |
| In the old dog obesity can be a bigger problem than | | | | of calcium and phosphorus for the older dog. |
| in the young dog as there may also be concurrent | | | | There may be a case for reduced levels of |
| arthritis and organ problems which will be made | | | | phosphorus and salt in the diet. |
| worse. | | | | Some supplementation of zinc and vitamins may be |
| A keen eye is needed to assess the energy needs | | | | helpful in the older dog, particularly the vitamin B |
| of your dog as it ages, so be aware and switch | | | | complex. |
| brands if your dog's weight shows marked changes | | | | The main food types for the older dog are - dry, |
| as it ages. | | | | semi-moist or canned. |
| For the older dog a good quality animal protein based | | | | Diet changes should be made slowly to prevent |
| on meat, fish eggs, milk or cheese is better than | | | | tummy upsets and diarrhoea. |
| cereal protein. | | | | Be sure to have plenty of water available for your |
| A balance needs to be struck between providing too | | | | dog, particularly if fed a dried food, and also if kidney |
| much protein which may be a problem for dogs with | | | | and liver disease is a problem. |
| renal failure (a common problem in older dogs), and | | | | Reduced appetite in older dogs may be helped by |
| providing too little. | | | | feeding them 2 or more times per day with smaller |
| As ageing dogs tend to have less muscle and bone | | | | portions so that they get their full daily requirement. |
| they will have less of a tissue protein reserve and | | | | There are many commercial senior dog food diets |
| need a certain level of protein in their diet to avoid a | | | | now available. |
| negative nitrogen balance. | | | | It will pay you to thoroughly examine the different |
| Your veterinarian is the best person to monitor your | | | | types to increase the life span and vitality of your |
| ageing dog's renal function and advise the appropriate | | | | older dog. |
| level of protein in his diet. | | | | |