Feeding Senior Dogs: The Guide

Our canine companions are considered senior when they reach around ten years old but this really depends on the breed and differs when it comes down to size. A small breed dog will be considered senior once they are around eleven or twelve years old! Smaller dogs tend to have longer lived so they remain in their prime for longer.

A medium sized dog like a Border Collie will be considered a senior citizen when they’re about nine or ten years old. Larger breeds age a little faster and tend to live shorter lives. A Golden Retriever can be considered a senior and have their diet altered when they reach eight years old and giant breeds like Great Danes are seniors when they’re just seven!

It differs between different size breeds because you will notice the physical signs of age around different times for each dog.

As dogs get older, they become more at risk of health issues and need some extra support in their diet to prevent these. One of the biggest risks for older dogs is obesity. Older dogs will slow down, they won’t want to walk as much and they will slowly reduce how much they run around and play. As a result of their reduced activity, if you continue to feed an adult food they can very quickly gain weight which puts pressure on their already potentially aching joints. Keeping older dogs nice and trim with a lower calorie diet is important for their health so a senior dog diet is a vital part of looking after your elderly dog.

Owners should consider changing their diet around the age at which their breed is considered old. Your vet can always help and recommend when they think it’s time to change your beloved pet’s diet to food that will support them in their twilight years.

To help support them as they get older, switching to a different diet is a necessity but doing it too quickly can cause stomach issues. When you’re switching a diet, it should be a gradual process done over the course of about two weeks. For the first few days, only a small amount of their usual meals should be traded out for the new diet to make sure the new formula won’t cause an upset. By the one week mark, they should be on a 50/50 split of both diets and by the second week, entirely on their new food.

During this time, if any loose stools or vomiting occurs the swap should be paused or taken back a step because you’ve likely gone a little too fast for them. If you have any worries during this transition, chatting with your vet can help decide on the best course of action.

Some dogs may eat less in their old age but they don’t necessarily need to eat less, they just need fewer calories to maintain the energy they need throughout the day. This can come in the form of eating less or you can feed them a less calorically dense diet but they still get the same physical amount that they’ve always been used to having.

If an older dog starts to leave their meals and does not seem to want to eat as much in one go, you can always give them more meals throughout the day in smaller portions. Some older dogs benefit from three smaller meals spread equally throughout the day so they don’t feel so overwhelmed by their food.

The healthiest senior dog diets have extra nutrients to support and meet the needs of your older companion while making sure their calorie intake is not higher than it needs to be. Older dogs will generally need extra protein available in their diet however the source should be a pretty lean protein to keep calories low. The protein will help maintain muscle and joint health and it should be nice and easy to digest for them.

Diets like K9 Senior Chicken Tray are great for switching older dogs onto since they can be portioned easily and are made specifically for senior dogs. The K9 diet targets maintaining a healthy weight and supporting older joints to help keep senior dogs comfortable as they age. Lifestage Senior Grain Free Turkey And Potato Dog Food is similar and calorie controls meals while being highly palatable for senior dogs. The grain free formula means your older pup is far less likely to react negatively to any of the ingredients included in the food. The Lifestage Senior diet also supports their digestive system and maintains a healthy coat and skin.

James Wellbeloved Senior Turkey Pouches are an excellent option for senior dogs. Some senior dogs may find it harder to chew biscuits, especially if they’ve had to have dental work or lost any teeth. The James Wellbeloved Senior food is easy to chew and easy to digest for older dogs. It has added glucosamine to support joints and contains seaweed which is rich in iodine.

It’s a hypoallergenic food since older dogs can develop sensitivities so cutting out anything that could cause a negative reaction can be helpful to avoid any adverse effects of changing their diet.

BETA Senior with Chicken is a balanced and complete dry diet for senior dogs who still enjoy a bit of crunch in their mealtime. The BETA diet supports mobility and is specifically made to help with an older’s dogs ageing vital organs by being packed with antioxidants. Omega 3 fatty acids help with joint mobility while the balanced protein and fat content help to make sure your older companion doesn’t pack on the pounds as they get less active.

With added Vitamin E to support natural defences, BETA senior food is a diet that strives to keep your pup at peak physical health even as they get older.

Lifestage Grain Free Senior Turkey, Sweet Potato And Cranberry is a senior diet crafted specifically to support older companions. It’s made up of 50% turkey which as a single source protein diet means that much of this food is made up of a lean and low fat meat. It also contains glucosamine to support joint health and mobility as your pup gets older and their joints begin to wear and stiffen.

It’s important that a senior diet contains extra vitamins and minerals to help boost your senior pooch’s natural defences as they weaken.

To find the perfect diet for your greying four legged friends and all of your other doggy essentials, take a look at our wide range of stock in store and online to suit every pet’s needs.