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The Nutritional Needs of Your Older Dog

Just as people have different needs as they grow, so too do the dietary requirements of dogs change as they age. It is important to ensure that your elderly canine companion receives the nutrition he or she needs in order to ensure that they enjoy a happy, full life for as long as possible.

There are three aspects of a dog’s nutritional needs that are going to vary noticeably as they age. The first is their caloric intake. Calories are what give a dog or a person their energy. A puppy needs nearly twice the amount of calories of an older dog to meet their energy requirements because they, like most little children, are constantly on the move. Older dogs, on the other hand, face an increasing risk of obesity as they age due to decreased activity, primarily due to arthritis or other age related factors. Their caloric requirements are greatly decreased, and it is important when fighting against obesity that this decreased caloric intake be observed.

The other factors which must be considered when planning a diet for an older dog are protein and fat. Younger dogs require increased amount of these substances in order to help them to grow and develop properly; however, an elderly dog does not need them in such high quantities. Indeed, for an elderly dog faced with renal failure increased amounts of protein may do more harm than good, placing extra strain on the kidneys and contributing to early system failure.

There are a number of commercial dog foods on the market today designed especially for older dogs (and you thought this was just another clever way for manufacturers to take the money of unsuspecting dog owners!) A dog food for an elderly canine would ideally contain a low number of calories, as well as a protein content of 18% and a fat content of 8-10%. This information can be obtained by reading the nutritional labels on the back of each package or by contacting the manufacturer.

Malnutrition in an older dog will manifest itself in a general wasting away of the fat and muscle, as well as a general apathy and inability to eat. If you feel that your older dog is malnourished or that they are in danger of becoming obese you should contact your vet as soon as possible to formulate a diet especially for your dog. The vet will need to run other tests to ensure that it is in fact malnourishment and not another, underlying health problem that is causing your pet’s symptoms.

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