In general, dogs of seven years and older start taking life a bit easier and, as a result, their nutritional needs begin to change once more. With large breeds, this change will take place at around five years old. Senior dogs are less active and have a slower metabolism, so fewer calories and less fat are required. But high quality, easy to digest protein becomes more important than ever to help maintain a good overall body condition.
A good senior diet provides concentrated, high quality protein, is low in fat and contains easy to digest carbohydrates for energy. Key minerals support ageing joints, and vitamins C and E, along with protein, help fight infections that the body may become vulnerable to as the immune system declines.
As dogs age their senses of smell and taste can fade a little, along with their ability to chew effectively. A smaller kibble size will help your dog get the most out meals and a higher meat content helps whet the appetite.
This is why it's advisable to move older dogs onto a specially formulated senior dog food. Manufactured senior dog foods are carefully formulated to reflect these changes in nutritional requirement and feeding habits. So your dog can continue to enjoy mealtimes to the full without compromising on the essentials.
As always when changing onto a new food, you should start by mixing the new formula with what they are used to, slowly building up the proportion over a week to ten days until you are only feeding the new senior formula food.
How to feed
Feed your older dog 1-2 times a day, although seniors may start to prefer smaller portions more frequently, especially if you serve canned food. Be careful not to overfeed. Older dogs are less active and particularly prone to weight issues.
Serve food at room temperature to ensure your dog can taste and smell it properly. This is especially important for older dogs, with their diminishing sense of smell. If you are feeding canned food, warming up an opened can may take up to two hours from being taken out of the fridge. Alternatively, you might consider microwaving wet foods (out of the can) for a short time. But avoid serving food that is either too hot or too cold.
If feeding a dry complete food store it in a dry, clean environment. Re-sealable packaging or an airtight container keeps it tasty by sealing in the aroma.
Your dog should be fed in a quiet place away from interruptions and away from where you eat. It's always a good idea to feed on a surface that is easily cleaned, like a tiled floor or a mat. Larger breeds, susceptible to arthritis in old age, may find it hard to lean down, and will benefit from a bowl placed at head height.
Don't allow children to interrupt your dog when it is eating or they may mistake them as a 'predator' trying to steal food and react aggressively
How much?
Follow the feeding guide on the back of the pack, but remember the guide is only there to give you an idea. Every dog is an individual, so the most important consideration is to feed enough to maintain a lean, healthy condition. Always provide a bowl of fresh drinking water.
Weight Concerns
Less active older dogs are especially susceptible to weight gain. Obesity is a common nutritional disorder in all dogs, and needs to be monitored carefully. Overweight dogs are more likely to develop diabetes, heart and respiratory problems and arthritis. Lower calorie levels in senior foods can help control the tendency. But if weight gain is a growing concern, consider trying a specially formulated 'light' product, lower in fat while still containing all the necessary vitamins and minerals, ensuring a balanced diet despite reduced calorie intake.