The best senior dog food

As your dog ages, their metabolism slows down. Their nutritional needs change during this time and they may put on weight as a result. On the other hand, their appetite may shrink due to age-related issues or digestive or kidney disorders, making them eat less and lose weight.

In either case, you’ll have to take steps to keep your dog at a healthy weight. Depending on your dog’s eating habits, you can adjust their intake to stabilize their weight. The calorie density of their wet or dry senior dog food should reflect their changing appetite and bodily needs. Talk to your veterinarian about it.

As they get older, dogs tend to lose muscle mass. To offset that loss, it’s best to focus on the quality of the proteins in their diet versus the quantity.

Opt for complete, easy-to-absorb proteins. The products in our Senior dog food line contain these types of proteins and other nutrients your aging canine companion needs.

With a specially formulated diet, your dog will get all the amino acids essential for maintaining muscle mass without overloading their system.

Sound complicated? Ask your vet for help figuring out which of our Senior dog food products best meet your dog’s unique needs.

And be sure to encourage your mature dog to stay active! Moving around will help keep their muscles strong. Take them for walks and find ways for them to exercise—at their own pace, of course!

Feel like your dog is aging rapidly? It could be osteoarthritis. It’s a common problem in older dogs and the symptoms can mimic the signs of normal aging, such as:

• Decreased physical activity
• Difficulty going up and down stairs
• Muscle loss
• Loss of stamina
• Tremors

The best way to find out what’s ailing your senior pup is to talk to your veterinarian.

Arthritis (or osteoarthritis) is a chronic, degenerative disease that causes pain and could explain most of the symptoms listed above. There are a number of factors that determine whether or not your dog develops this condition, including:

• Age
• Obesity
• Joint deformities
• Past injuries

At home, you can care for your dog by giving them senior dog food formulated to support their overall health and their joints in particular. The best older dog food should contain supplements like:

• Fish oil (omega-3)
• Green-lipped mussels
• Glucosamine

But that’s not all! You also have to make sure the senior dog food you give them has been proven effective and contains high-quality supplements in the right amounts. Ask your veterinary team for advice. We can help you develop a senior dog nutrition plan, including serving sizes.

Not sure if your pooch is in pain? Read our blog article Savez-vous reconnaître la douleur chez votre chien ou votre chat?(only in French) to find out how to detect discomfort in your dog.

Your dog’s brain ages along with the rest of their body, which can lead to symptoms of cognitive dysfunction like:

• Slowness
• Less interaction with family members
• Altered sleep cycle
• Disorientation
• Lack of self-grooming

How do you prevent doggie dementia? Senior dog nutrition products that contain antioxidants and certain types of fats like omega-3s (especially DHA) will help your older dog stay healthy in body and mind. Ask your Globalvet team for their recommendations.

Another good way to slow the aging process is to stimulate your dog’s brain cells. Treats not only make your dog happy, you can also use them to encourage your senior dog to play, be active, and interact with you and your family.

But before offering treats, make sure they meet your dog’s needs without delivering extra calories and nutrients that could be detrimental to their health. Talk to your veterinary team to find the right treats for your pet.