Like humans, your pets will eventually reach their sunset years as they age. While lifespans can vary between breeds, dogs tend to have an average lifespan of 10 to 13 years, while cats have an average lifespan of 12 to 18 years, depending on whether they live indoors or outdoors.
When your pet reaches their golden years, they’re likely to experience many age-related diseases that affect their health and quality of life. Their body can also develop different nutritional needs. As such, paying attention to nutrition for aging pets is crucial.
To get the best diet for senior pets and their personal conditions, it’s best to discuss their dietary requirements with their veterinarian. However, if your pet has a chronic disease or is showing signs of age, here’s what the best diet for senior pets should look like.
Best Diet for Senior Dogs
Senior dogs have a diet that differs from most adult dogs because of their body’s nutritional needs. For instance, dry adult dog food contains up to 30% protein, while dry senior dog food has up to 23%. This adjusts a dog’s intake as older bodies need less energy.
Being overweight or obese is also a problem among older dogs, leading to many health issues. This is why senior and geriatric dog food contains fewer calories and more fiber. Since senior dogs require less energy, they have a slower metabolic rate, which can put them at higher risk of obesity and other diseases such as diabetes, kidney failure, heart disease, and more.
Sensitive Stomachs
Factors such as the cause of their sensitive stomach can vary, so the best diet for senior pets could vary. Generally, your dog should switch to a mostly wet food diet. Fresh food and wet food tend to be softer or easier to chew, making it easier to pass through the digestive system. Food rich in fiber and low in fat makes it easier for your dog to digest their food.
If your dog shows signs of digestive disruption despite a change in diet, consider seeing their veterinarian to discuss potential food allergies. Some dogs are allergic to proteins from chicken, beef, eggs, and certain fats and oils. Their veterinarian can recommend products that are healthy for senior dogs that don’t contain allergens. Otherwise, your dog may have an underlying disorder, such as inflammation or infection.
Poor Dental Health
Dogs require regular brushing, up to thrice a week to prevent plaque buildup that can lead to gum diseases, cavities, and tooth decay. Left untreated or checked by a vet, your dog may develop periodontal disease by the time they reach their senior stage. As a result, they could be losing teeth, have difficulty chewing hard food, or refuse to eat because of the pain.
If so, consider replacing your dog’s diet with softer food. You can try serving wet food or fresh food, though some dried food brands can be mixed with water to make it easier to digest. Keep in mind, though, that your senior dog may need help with their dental health, so regular brushing and cleaning are still necessary.
Arthritis in Dogs
Like humans, dogs experience joint wear and tear that becomes more prominent with age and weight gain. This makes it difficult for them to move as quickly as they did in their younger years. Senior dog foods and supplements contain nutrients such as glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, which help with joint health. Some dogs may also require supplements to help with their joints.
Best Diet for Senior Cats
Senior cats may also need dietary changes as they enter the later stages of their life. While their needs overlap with dogs in some cases, studies find that older cats have different needs depending on whether they have any chronic illness. A few of the differences in nutrition for aging pets include:
- More Protein: While senior dogs require less protein to avoid obesity, senior cats face a common problem of being underweight and need more protein. Studies also show that additional protein can slow down the risk of chronic kidney disease and renal failure.
- Water Intake: Cats tend to show their preferences towards water, with cats preferring fresh water in containers wide enough that their whiskers aren’t touching the container’s sides. Cats also prefer a diet with higher water intake, such as canned wet food.
- Temporary Decrease in Energy: Like dogs, cats have a lower energy and calorie requirement as they enter their senior years. However, this is only temporary. By the time they reach 11 years, they need more energy to digest fats and proteins.
When Is the Best Time To Switch Foods for Senior Pets?
Most cats and dogs are considered middle-aged between five to seven years old. After they’ve passed the seven-year mark, they’re deemed senior pets, and their dietary needs will start to change even if they don’t show signs of aging. However, large dog breeds over a hundred pounds tend to age faster and reach their senior life stages around six to nine years. Once most pets reach over 16 years old (or 9 years for large dog breeds), they’ve reached the geriatric stage.
However, given that cats and dogs tend to have different stages depending on their size and breed, it’s best to consult a veterinarian regarding your pet’s dietary requirements. If they have chronic illnesses or are at high risk of certain diseases, they may need to change their diet earlier.
Once you’ve found the ideal diet for your pet, consider gradually transitioning them to their new diet rather than switching immediately. This can prevent upsetting their digestive system and slowly introduce them to their new diet. It can take up to two weeks to fully transition them to their new diet. If you spot signs of digestive issues such as vomiting and diarrhea, it may be best to stop the diet and contact your veterinarian.
Peaceful and Ethical End-of-Life Care at Loving Paws Veterinary House Calls
Whether you’ve watched your pet grow from a tiny fur ball or adopted them in their later life stages, there’s no denying your love for them. While the end of the road of a pet’s life is a brutal inevitability that pet owners have to face, proper nutrition for aging pets is a good way to reduce the risks of chronic diseases.
However, if dietary changes and medical treatments aren’t working, your best option is to give your pet the best end-of-life care you can provide. At Loving Paws Veterinary House Calls, we provide in-home hospice care services to help you minimize your pet’s discomfort and improve their quality of life in their final days.
If hospice care is no longer a practical or humane option for your pet, we provide in-home euthanasia services. We will guide you through this difficult process while ensuring your pet gets the peaceful and dignified send-off they deserve as they cross the rainbow bridge in your home’s comfortable and familiar setting.
Contact Loving Paws or call (972) 201-5342 today for inquiries and appointments.
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