What should I feed an elderly dog?
We all know the three main categories of dog food: Puppy, Adult, and Senior. These three distinct formulas exist for a very good reason. Dogs of different ages have very different dietary requirements, and feeding them the wrong food will mean that they are getting an intake of nutrients that is either inadequate for their needs or surplus to requirements – and each of those pose their own set of problems for the dog. So how do you know when it's time to change your dog's diet from an “Adult” one to a “Senior” one?
Well, there are some sure signs of getting older in dogs, for a start. It can be difficult to notice these for yourself, since they tend to happen gradually, and as you see your dog every day the changes are likely to be too slow and subtle for you to pick up on them. Sometimes it takes a visit from someone who hasn't seen your dog for a while, who'll make a remark about something and draw your attention to it. But there are lots of things to be aware of.
As well as starting to slow down in general and developing some grey hairs (particularly around the face) and a drier, thinner coat, your dog may develop some typical “old age” defects. Hearing loss or even complete deafness can occur in elderly dogs, although this can be difficult to spot until it gets particularly bad, like if your dog has always returned to you when called and then stops doing this, simply because he doesn't hear you calling. Unfortunately, not much can be done for dogs who lose their hearing through the old age process, but your veterinarian can do some tests to set your mind at rest if you're worried that it might be a symptom of some other medical problem.
Elderly dogs can also experience a loss of bladder control, no matter how well house trained they were throughout the rest of their lives. Incontinence is almost always caused by age-related changes or an infection, so it's a pretty clear indicator. You might also notice a mild loss of muscle mass in their hind legs, or unfamiliar lumps in your dog's skin – feel free to get these checked out to set your mind at rest if you're worried, but bumps and lumps are fairly normal in older dogs.
Just like humans, dogs need to make changes in their lifestyle when they grow older. You should try to be even more careful with keeping your senior dog's routine regular and unchanging, minimizing stress for him. Don't stop giving him exercise just because he's older, although of course you're going to find that he won't walk as fast or as far any more. A couple of short strolls every day, even just ten or fifteen minutes, will help to keep him healthy in his later years. And as for food: switch to a senior formula, and help prevent his metabolism from slowing down any further by giving him two or even three smaller meals every day instead of just one large meal. You may find that he's less excited about food, and may even leave a meal untouched, which would have been unthinkable when he was younger! Feel free to try new foods (but make changes very gradually to avoid upsetting the digestion) in order to encourage him to eat with foods that smell and taste good, appeal to him, and provide him with proper nutrition.
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