The dog food you feed your dog should change as your dog ages. Some pet owners realise this and plan to purchase a fortified food for their dog as they age. The common belief is that a dog s body ages seven times faster than a human, meaning that a dog is technically 70 years old when they re 10. Since the average age of most breeds is between 10 and 15 years, it s important to start planning your dog s meals better once they hit the ripe old age of seven or eight.
Changing Your Dog s Food
In order to switch over to senior dog food you will need to gradually wean your dog off their current food. A dog s system gets used to one particular type of dog food, and when you switch over to a new food they may experience side effects. It can take between 7 to 10 days for your dog s system to adjust to a new type of food. Some people recommend feeding your dog the new food gradually, rather than switching over all at once. Others recommend switching over all at once so the system can start adjusting. You should speak with your vet about making dietary changes to ensure you don t make your pet ill. Your vet will also be able to recommend the best dog food based on your dog s age and breed.
How Senior Food Is Different
The main component in most of the food manufactured for senior dogs is the amount of added vitamins. Foods are designed to help with a number of health problems, and to prevent obesity in dogs that are slowly starting to become less active and have a reduction in natural metabolism. Senior food also has reduced amounts of protein, phosphorous, and a lack of preservatives. The food is designed to help the kidneys, liver, and heart function well as it ages. With the right type of kibble, you not only prevent your aging pet from gaining weight, but you decrease the stress placed on their organs that comes with having to digest high-fat, preservative-filled food.
When Should You Switch?
Opinion differs on this, but it s based on the breed of your dog. Smaller breeds are known for living longer than larger breeds, so larger breeds will need to start a senior kibble earlier than a smaller breed. You want to start the food before your dog shows signs of aging. Typical signs of aging include gray hair around the face, a decrease in movement, longer sleeping patterns, and a more relaxed demeanor than when they were younger. Once you start noticing these signs, it s time to start thinking about switching your dog over to a more appropriate dog food.
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