Best Dog Food Senior

What kind of food does an older dog need? The aging process of a dog usually starts between the ages of 6 and 8 years. Usually small dogs become up to 16 years old and thus clearly older than its big Artgenossen. How old a dog actually is depends on the breed, stature, activity, mobility, digestion and the changes caused by the disease. Therefore each older dog must be seen and fed individually. Many manufacturers have adapted to the medical needs of an aging animal and offer basic products that can be supplemented with special feeds at any time. In view of the declining performance of the liver, kidneys and metabolism, the protein content should be moderate and of high quality instead. With increasing age of the dog also the function of the nose decreases. Therefore, the food for seniors must smell particularly intense and appealing. If the kidney values of the animal are increased, the phosphorus content of the feed must be reduced. Older dogs need easily digestible and well-tolerated food, because some suffer from intestinal sluggishness. In addition to age-appropriate food, a senior dog often needs rest breaks and likes to be stroked. In addition, dog owners should pay attention to careful dental care and extensive brushing of their four-legged friend. What should be considered when feeding sick dogs? Many older animals suffer from osteoarthritis with severe pain. This is chronic damage to the cartilage. Therefore, there are food sorts, which are enriched with New Zealand green-lipped mussel. The flesh of sea dwellers contains glucosaminoglycans, which contribute to the formation of joint cartilage. If there is already cartilage damage in the joints, a special food for osteoarthritis can no longer eliminate it. Overweight quadrupeds should lose weight with age. Obesity impairs mobility and often causes damage to the musculoskeletal system. Due to their obesity, many dogs suffer from diabetes. Liver or cardiovascular diseases, as well as immunodeficiency and cancer are not uncommon among seniors. In these cases a reduction of the fat content in the feed is recommended. The manufacturer’s specified and internationally standardized daily amount can be reduced by up to 30 percent when feeding overweight dogs. If the dog is too thin in age, the administered amount is simply adjusted to the increased need of the animal. If the senior suffers from a sensitive digestive system, often an incompatibility of grain is the basis. Manufacturers offer grain-free dog food for the sensitive gastrointestinal tract. How is an older dog fed? A dog should be undisturbed for food intake. The best place is a separate place where he can eat or drink in peace. Fresh water must be available for the dog at all times. Depending on the activity, age and temperament of the animal, the type of food should be adjusted again and again to prevent digestive problems and deficiency symptoms. Delicacies shall be taken into account in the daily quantity of the animal and omitted where appropriate. In this way, an overweight dog will not eat any hidden calories. If snacks are allowed by the vet, the aging dog should be offered chopped fruit, vegetables or cooked chicken instead of fatty treats. Problems with gums and teeth require a particularly finely cut food for seniors. If the older dog no longer tastes what it used to like to eat, then it intuitively feels that it does not get the food. If a sick dog lacks the appetite, then special food is an alternative for the build-up and the convalescence. Sometimes a meal – poured over with a low-salt chicken broth – works wonders for an ill old animal. The older a dog, the more natural the food should be. At best, it contains little carbohydrates and selected meats, lots of fruit and vegetables, probiotic bacteria and vegetable ingredients such as peppermint, dandelion, chamomile, fennel, lupine or fenugreek.