Show
Reviewed & Fact-Checked By Dr. Lorna Whittemore, MRCVS (Vet) The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research. Learn more » As your dog gradually ages, you’ll start to notice a few changes, particularly ones that indicate that they are slowing down. With this new era in your dog’s lifetime approaching, you’ll need to consider diet changes. But when is your dog officially a senior, and when should you start feeding them senior dog food? Depending on the dog’s size, they can be considered seniors sometime between 5 and 10 years old. However, there isn’t any one specific age when you should make the switch. Here, we go over the common signs that your dog is approaching their senior life stage and whether you should switch to senior dog food. When Is a Dog Considered a Senior?As a general rule, dogs are thought of as seniors when they are within the last 25% of their natural lifespan. The reason that there is such a wide age range for when a dog is considered a senior is that it depends on the size of the dog. Toy and small breeds tend to have longer lifespans than large and giant breeds. For example, most Great Danes have a lifespan of 7 to 10 years and are considered seniors by 6 years of age. On the other end of the scale, Chihuahuas have a lifespan of 14 to 16 years and might be seniors by 7 to 10 years. This all also depends on how healthy any dog is. Most (but not all) dogs are considered mature adults between 6 and 8 years and seniors once they are 8 and older. Image Credit: Stéphanie Briand, PixabayGiving your pet the highest quality nutrition is a top priority, so why not give them a food and water dish to match? The Hepper Nom Nom Bowl is our product, but it’s too good not to share. Made from food-safe stainless steel, you can ensure that your pet is consuming the best nutrition out of the finest bowls on the market. Click here to get yours. Physical Signs That a Dog Is Getting OlderWhile a common sign that a dog is aging is that they start to slow down, this can also be indicative of a health condition, such as joint pain, which is also quite common in aging dogs. So, beyond how old your dog is, there are a few typical signs that a dog is becoming a senior:
Of course, some of these signs aren’t indicative of a senior dog on their own but could be in conjunction with a few other obvious signs. They should all, however, be checked out by a vet as there may be a lot you can do to help. Image Credit: Irini Adler, PixabayBehavioral Signs That a Dog Is Getting OlderDogs can experience behavioral changes as they age. Some dogs might develop a kind of dementia, called canine cognitive dysfunction, which presents similarly as Alzheimer’s disease in humans. Symptoms can include:
Certain medications and supplements can help, as can a change in diet that includes fatty acids and glucosamine. Plenty of physical activity and teaching an old dog new tricks are also beneficial. Image Credit: Ivor Ilic, PixabayShould You Change Your Dog’s Food?Now that you’re aware that your dog is a senior, you might be wondering whether their current diet is adequate. Many people will switch their dog’s food from adult to senior because of encroaching health conditions that are partly due to the aging process. There is no magic number that tells you that it’s time to switch your dog’s food, but there are a few signs that your dog will benefit from a change in food:
If your dog has any health conditions, a change in diet could be warranted. But don’t change your dog’s food until you’ve consulted with your vet. Image Credit: 135pixels, ShutterstockChoosing Senior Dog FoodYour vet can give you direction on what food will best support your dog’s needs. Here are a few tips on transitioning your dog to new food.
Your vet can advise you on the best way to accomplish this, but basically, you’ll want to add small amounts of the new food to the old, and over the course of 2 weeks, you will slowly increase the new food until the old food is gone. Image Credit: Martin Christopher Parker, ShutterstockMaking the Food AppealingMany dogs lose their appetites as they age. Sometimes, they have issues with their teeth and gums, which makes eating uncomfortable. You should have any mouth issues looked at and treated, which can help. You might also need to get a smaller kibble or switch to canned food. Some senior dogs might have difficulty standing for long periods, so try to find bowls with a flatter rim so your dog can eat lying down. If bending over to eat is painful, invest in a raised platform that will bring the food closer to your dog’s mouth. If your dog doesn’t seem interested in eating, try warming up the food or just find whatever food your dog will actually want to eat. Despite your best efforts to ensure that your dog has a healthy diet, you might need to tempt them a little too with treats. ConclusionDon’t worry too much about immediately switching your dog to senior food the moment that they hit 7 years of age. As long as you continue to take your dog to their annual wellness exam, both you and your vet can stay on top of any potential health concerns. This will include any possible diet changes. This way, your senior dog can continue to live their best life. Featured Image Credit: EvitaS, Pixabay When should I start my dog on senior dog food?Your dog may not look or act like what you think of as a “senior” dog. But starting around age 7, and earlier if they're a large breed dog, your dog's dietary needs will start to change. This is a good time to start thinking about switching to a senior dog diet.
Do I need to switch to senior dog food?Many older dogs and cats can continue to eat a good quality commercial diet designed for adults and do not need to be changed to a different diet. Other aging dogs and cats, however, may benefit from changing to a “senior” diet.
Can non senior dogs eat Senior dog food?So, the short answer is yes; “senior” pet food can be fed to any dog over a one year old.
|