As pet parents, we all wish for our fur babies to have a long and healthy life in their elder years. Pets appear to be surviving longer than ever before, thanks to increased animal medical care, enhanced meals, supplements, and treatments, and your unconditional love. Learn about switching dog food without mixing and adjusting it based on their age.
As pets age, it’s natural for their bodies to begin to weaken. Our senior pets may still act like a puppy, but his charming grey face serves as a reminder that his body is aging and that he may require some help from time to time.
Dogs’ requirements change as they get older. Paying attention to the effects of aging will assist you in making your dog more comfortable as he gets older.
What’s the best diet for older dogs?
Obesity is one of the most common health problems in older dogs, and it can lead to a variety of other disorders ranging from aggravating joint discomfort and dyspnea to heart and liver problems. Older dogs become obese for a variety of reasons, including a decline in energy and activity, as well as a shift in their overall caloric needs.
Our metabolism slows as we age, and we require less food to maintain a stable weight. Dogs are the same way. Though they may appear to be just as hungry and treat-obsessed as before, their bodies aren’t burning calories as efficiently as before, causing them to gain weight. It may be time to switch to moderate protein, lower simple carbs ( i.e rice, potatoes), and add more complex carbs like vegetables and beans. Increasing vitamin and mineral intake can be very helpful too. Senior Dog foods often are lower in protein and may cause muscle wasting. You may need to cut back on the number of snacks you give out during the day.
If your pet needs to lose weight, I propose giving them The Original CrockPET Diet. This all-natural pet food plan will aid in her weight loss while also delivering the nutrition she requires to be strong and healthy. Switching dog food without mixing may be possible but usually you can start giving it by adding this to their regular food.
If your pet is obese, feeding a simple no-carb version of the diet (KETO diet), such as no rice, will aid in weight loss. If your pet is underweight, add more coconut oil to the meal to help it stay in shape. I created Keto meals for pets with cancer and other health difficulties (high fat, extremely low carb).
Feed a Moisture-Rich Diet to Senior Pets
The most crucial ingredient in your pet’s body is water. Your pet’s organs have a tougher time working when it is dehydrated.
Unfortunately, as your pet gets older, his organs will begin to degrade and stop working as well as they once did. Increased water consumption, partly through a moisture-rich feed, is essential for your pet’s health for this reason alone.
Avoiding dry commercial pet foods in favor of an all-natural diet is the greatest approach to enhance your pet’s water intake.
The Original CrockPET Diet is a meal plan I devised to guarantee dogs are fed the healthiest and most nutritious foods available. The moisture in this diet aids digestion and leaves the body with more nutritional fluids to prevent or control other problems. It’s also a terrific method to keep tabs on the food your pet consumes.
Check out other senior pet care tips and what we can do to help them live an optimal life in their golden years.
Which supplement should I give my senior dog?
Choosing a supplement can be very confusing as there are tons of great brands and the ones that claim to be great for pets.
Holistic Total Body Support
I recommend using my own Holistic Total Body Support for Cats & Dogs but since it is currently out of stock and will be back in February 2022, here’s the best supplement I suggest or you can also check other high-quality pet vitamins. Holistic Total Body Support contains glandular products that help support the endocrine system and supplies the raw materials for the internal organs to function optimally. I’ve seen this supplement take a 14-year-old golden retriever and return it to the level of activity, comfort, and function he enjoyed at 10 years old.
“Like feeds like” therapy is the primary premise of glandular supplements. To put it another way, eating a healthy animal gland will strengthen the comparable gland (or organ in your pet). Purified organ and glandular extracts from animals are used in glandular therapy (usually cows, sheep, pigs). The pituitary, thyroid, adrenals, pancreas, liver, kidney, heart, and thymus are all common sources of these extracts.
Why should I consider glandular support for my pet?
Supplementing with glandular supplements can be an important part of a well-balanced diet. Many vital elements are not found solely in plants and meats. A high-quality gland-based multivitamin can fill in all of your pet’s nutritional gaps. Which is highly needed by our senior pets.
Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids
Omega-3s and omega-6s are fatty acids that are responsible for supporting a number of critical body systems. However, omega-6s are often consumed in higher amounts than omega-3s. Omega-3s are commonly associated with fish consumption, but modern aquaculture produces fish that are lower in omega-3s than wild fish. This has the potential to create nutritional gaps, which can be improved through supplementation.
Probiotics
Probiotics A probiotic supplement like Fidospore contains high amounts of these “good” bacteria. Fidospore is the first probiotic supplement clinically shown to support digestive health and reduce leaky gut in dogs. The supplement, combined with the bacteria already present in your pet’s body, creates a more favorable ratio and balance of those bacteria.
Probiotics A probiotic supplement like Fidospore contains high amounts of these “good” bacteria. Fidospore is the first probiotic supplement clinically shown to support digestive health and reduce leaky gut in dogs. The supplement, combined with the bacteria already present in your pet’s body, creates a more favorable ratio and balance of those bacteria.
Glucosamine
What does Glucosamine do? Well, it supports the synthesis of collagen, a key structural protein in tendons, cartilage, and ligaments. Using a joint supplement like glucosamine or chondroitin sulfate, those two components are anti-inflammatory and there are tons of different options out there. They are often chicken-based, which can be a problem for pets with chicken sensitivity.
I have a great supplement that is proven to be safe and effective for pets who needs help with arthritis. Arthri-Pawz offers ideal nutritional support for joints, providing them with the nutrition they need to rid fluid that results in swelling, repair, stay lubricated, move freely, and function at their best.
Why do I recommend this joint formula over all others? For starters, it’s hypoallergenic. Because this is based on shellfish, pets that have allergies to chicken or beef can take this. It provides the essential building blocks and nutrients for joint repair. Arthri-Pawz reduces free radicals and supports a healthy inflammatory response which may help lessen wear and tear on the joints and between spinal vertebrae. It reduces the potential for the body to attack its own joint tissue, a known cause of the second cruciate rupture in dogs.
CBD Oil
If your dog is in a lot of pain, there are new studies that point to CBD products that can also help with pain associated with arthritis.
Mushroom blend to boost immunity
In addition to my top 4 recommendations above, We have to start worrying about combatting chronic disease in our older pets. This can show up as Kidney failure, Cognitive dysfunction, liver disease, and many more.
Studies have shown that medicinal mushrooms provide a source of polysaccharides, including beta-glucans. Beta-glucans have been reported to have antioxidant properties, reduce the spread of cancer, and may support blood glucose and lipid metabolism.
My all-new Myco-Pawz has this Blend of 8 standardized mushrooms, including reishi, Chaga, lion’s mane, cordyceps, maitake, shiitake, Agaricus, and turkey tail.
Alpha-Lipoid Acid
One of the supplements that I suggest for dogs that have dementia-like symptoms or sundowner syndrome is alpha-lipoic acid. Alpha-lipoic acid has strong antioxidant properties, which may reduce inflammation and skin aging, promote healthy nerve function, lower heart disease risk factors, and slow the progression of memory loss disorders. Because alpha-lipoic acid is a powerful antioxidant, studies have examined its ability to slow the progression of disorders characterized by memory loss.
Learn more.
