Even the most gray-muzzled canine friend can be content thanks to senior dog food. Ask Pudge, a grumpy Labrador from Pasadena, California, who is a dark-colored dog. Susanne Jeter, the mother of the 12-year-old dog, noticed changes in Pudge as he grew older: He took longer to get out of bed, he wasn’t as playful as he once was, and he started gaining weight.
“We all get old—even our dogs,” Jeter says. Pudger, who I’ve owned since he was a puppy, started displaying signs of aging at the age of 9 or 10 years old. I could tell that his joints were hurting. ”.
On the advice of her vet, Jeter changed Pudge’s diet to one designed for elderly, chubby dogs with arthritic joints. To add extra omega-3 fatty acids, she also added some fish oil.
“He’s now aging gracefully,” she says with a laugh. When it’s cold and rainy outside, he can still be grumpy, but when the sun comes out, he’ll grab his ball and request to play a game of fetch once more. I’m glad to know he’s no longer uncomfortable because I’m his dog mom!
Pudge’s behavior and quality of life improved with just a few dietary adjustments. Read on to learn everything you ever wanted to know about food for older dogs if you’re wondering what to feed an old dog.
How Much Protein Do Senior Dogs Need?
Dogs are omnivores, which means that they consume both fruits and vegetables and a lot of protein (meat) in their diet. They have consequently evolved to depend on protein at all stages of their lives.
There is a misconception that senior dogs should avoid protein.
A dog’s kidneys may become too burdened by too much protein as a result of the high phosphorus levels that it produces. But the research that gave rise to that rumor employed rats, not dogs. As a result, while consuming too much protein can be dangerous for senior rats, it is not dangerous for dogs.
Senior Dog Food vs. Regular Dog Food
In actuality, senior dogs need more protein than other dogs, and this is why. The maintenance and growth of muscle tissue is one of the functions of protein in canine bodies. Dogs need more protein in their diet to retain muscle tissue for longer because they lose muscle mass as they age.
Loss of muscle tissue impairs the dog’s immune system, increasing the animal’s susceptibility to illness. The dog also loses physical strength, which has an impact on its stamina and mobility.
Thus, by increasing the protein in your senior dog’s diet, you can help them maintain their strength for a longer period of time. Experts advise making sure that at least 25% of your senior dog’s daily caloric intake consists of protein.
Dr. Ken Tudor Holistic Veterinarian
After the age of 35, you start to lose 1% to 2% of your muscle every year. Your dog will start to lose hair after 5 to 6 years of age. 5-1% of her muscle mass yearly. Sarcopenia, or the loss of muscle, affects both humans and dogs equally. Only a higher protein diet and weightlifting can stop it or slow it down. You can do both. While your dog cannot lift weights, he can increase his protein intake as he ages.
So why is the protein content of senior dog diets lower rather than higher?
Senior Dog Diets
Commercial dog foods typically only contain 20–28% of calories from protein. To prevent kidney disease in older dogs, senior diets frequently contain 18% of their calories from protein. Why? Managing chronic kidney disease requires a lower protein diet. However, only 10% of geriatric dogs will eventually develop chronic kidney disease.
And guess what, while the amount of protein in commercial foods is still too low to help a dog with kidney disease, protein does not cause kidney disease.
It doesn’t make sense to create senior diets for the 10% of dogs with kidney disease when 100% of them will lose muscle.
Better would be to check your dog’s kidneys and run a senior blood profile on her. She can be put on a kidney-friendly diet if she does have kidney disease. If his kidneys are functioning normally, as they do in the majority of dogs, you can feed him a high-protein diet to keep his muscle tone. The Well Dog Place provides a variety of options that are all high in protein (dry, canned, frozen, refrigerated, and homemade). AuthorKen Tudor DVM.
Dr. In the fields of pet nutrition and fitness, Ken Tudor is a well-known professional and innovator. He founded a pet weight-management program and participated in the creation of the American Animal Hospital Association’s Weight Management Guidelines for Dogs and Cats task force. He also frequently appears on the radio program Pet World Insider, and his appearances on the television program Pet Ex Talks-Pet Experts Empowering Pet Parents are well-liked.
FAQ
Can older dogs have too much protein?
High protein diets have not been linked to the development of kidney disease in healthy dogs, but once kidney function is impaired, high protein diets may help the disease progress. Excessive phosphorus in a senior dog ration should be avoided as it is connected to kidney disease.
What is the best thing to feed an old dog?
- Eukanuba Senior Small Breed Dry Dog Food.
- Iams ProActive Health Healthy Aging Senior Dry Dog Food.
- Hill’s Science Diet Dry Food Food for Senior Dogs.
- Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Natural Senior Dry Dog Food.
- Royal Canin Size Health Small Aging Wet Dog Food.
- Nutro Natural Choice Senior Dry Dog Food.
Is high protein dog food good for seniors?
Many brands of senior dog food make it a point to include higher-quality protein sources than those found in standard dog food; this aids senior dogs in maintaining a healthy body weight without placing undue stress on their aging kidneys.
How do I know if my dog needs more protein?
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But the most common signs include:
- Reduced growth rate and milk production.
- Poor coat, skin and bristle hair.
- Anorexia (weight loss)
- Anemia (lack of healthy blood cells)
- Change in mood.