Changing Food for Senior Dogs – Is it Necessary?

April 22nd 2021

 The sheer range of breeds and sizes of dogs these days means that the age that a dog is considered to be a senior dog varies considerably. Generally smaller breeds will live longer than the average dog, and giant breeds shorter. As a very rough guide you could consider 7 years old and over as senior, but individual variation should be taken into account.

Does your senior dog need different food?

If you have a fit, active older dog with an ideal body condition then changing to a senior food may not be necessary. These dogs may be able to stay on the same adult food for life. There is no rule that says you must change your dog to a senior food. However, for some dogs there may be benefits.

Weight control

Dogs, like us, tend to become less active as they get older and to avoid weight gain, they will need to consume fewer calories. You might find that adjusting the feeding amount is enough, but if you keep reducing the volume of food you offer, not only will your dog be hungry, you will also be reducing levels of important minerals and vitamins.

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Senior diets and light diets, such as Vet’s Kitchen Healthy Weight usually contain lower fat levels and fewer calories, so that you can continue to feed the recommended amount without your dog gaining weight. Additionally, some of these diets may also have higher fibre levels which can help with satiety.

The protein conundrum

Traditionally senior diets were advertised with low protein levels being of benefit. The theory was that reduced protein could help reduce the workload on the kidneys. However, there is little evidence to support the need for very low protein levels in food for healthy senior dogs, in fact some sources suggest that older dogs may need diets higher in protein to prevent muscle loss and other age related issues.

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At the moment, there is not enough research to know what the optimum protein level for a senior dog is, but lower protein levels (from high quality sources) are recommended once a dog is diagnosed with kidney failure. For these dogs, a veterinary therapeutic diet would be best, as clinical studies show they can reduce clinical signs and increase lifespan by 2-3 times compared to a normal food, however some senior diets may be suitable for very early stage kidney failure.

Stiff joints

Unfortunately, 80% of dogs aged 8 years and over have osteoarthritis. Pain relief should be the first priority for these dogs as it is a condition that causes chronic pain, for more information on this head to www.caninearthritis.co.uk

Joint supplements have not been shown to prevent osteoarthritis, but they may help reduce symptoms or slow down progression. One option is to add a supplement to your dog’s diet, however some senior foods contain added supplements and others, such as Vet’s Kitchen Protect & Care or Sensitive Care Senior contain higher levels of supplements than our standard adult dog foods.

Healthy organs

Older dogs may develop problems with their heart, liver or kidneys as they age. In the early stages of organ failure a senior diet may be useful. Senior diets, tend to contain lower amounts of meat, fish and dairy ingredients, which can naturally reduce the fat, protein, sodium and phosphorus level in the food, however the suitability of a senior diet for specific disease conditions will depend on the individual dog, the stage of condition and any concurrent health problems.

For more information on the Vet’s Kitchen range of senior diets, supplements or treats or advice on feeding your senior pet please contact our in-house nutritionist on contact@vetskitchen.co.uk or 01793 887555