There is no better greeting than the one that your dog gives you when you get home. They live to love their owner, and this sentiment should be returned by providing your dog with a diet that best meets their unique needs and circumstances. This is particularly important as your dogs enter the later stages of life, with their diet having a more significant impact on their health and well-being. If your furry friend doesn’t have the same energy they once did, it could be time to take a deep dive into what they are eating and what they should be eating in the future.
A closer look at dry dog food
For many dog owners, dry dog food appears to be a popular option, but is it the best option? It really depends on the brands you buy and active ingredients present in the dry dog food. Brands like Orijen are recommended for older dogs, made from fresh and raw meat with lean chicken, turkey, eggs and fish. These nourishing ingredients are a far cry from the supermarket dry dog food which does little for dogs energy and health. Where possible, you want to be buying dry dog food that has a mix of different proteins and nutrients so that you are introducing variety as well as a balanced nutrient mix. Premium dry dog foods will have certain minerals added to the mix (like zinc), and a great option if your older dog is carrying a little more weight than they should.
A closer look at wet dog food
There is a perception that wet dog food is superior to dry, but it really depends on which wet food you are feeding your dog. Wet dog food does contain more protein contents, and has fewer carbohydrates and fibre to its dry counterpart. That’s a positive for younger dogs, but older dogs actually need more fibre and complex carbohydrates to work through and stabilise their digestive system. Next time you choose wet canned food, read the label to learn what the ingredients are and whether it is recommended for a dog in their later stages of life.
Fruits and vegetables
Yes, you read that correctly, fruits and vegetables are key components that should be added to your dog’s diet. Senior dogs crave the nutrients and fibre that comes from certain fruits and vegetables, either fresh or canned. If you have seen your dog eating grass, they are trying to correct their bowels by seeking the fibre that comes with greens. As your dog gets older you will notice they have looser stools, and so fibre should be added to their food bowl as often as possible. Pumpkin and sweet potato are also a good option, working to improve skin, eye and digestive health. Simply mix in canned or shredded vegetables (carrots, green beans, corn etc) to their dry or wet dog food and watch them eat it with no qualms.
Treats and snacks
In addition to fruit and vegetables, there are many treats and snacks you can keep on hand to reward or spoil your dog. Given they are older, try and source something softer than the typically jerky-style treat. Bladder bites are a popular option for dog owners as they taste great to your furry friend and are packed with herbs and calming agents like chamomile, melatonin and even ginger. Dental treats are another way to get your dog interacting with healthy practices, and your dental bill at the vet will reduce considerably if you are putting steps into place to manage their aging teeth.
Just like adults, dogs never eat the same thing their whole life and so you need to be planning an appropriate diet for their age and health condition. If you still need clarity around what to feed your dog, ask your vet at the next visit.