The best food for senior dogs

Senior dogs require a special type of diet because, just like humans, their energy and lifestyle requirements change as they age.

The vast majority considerably reduce their physical activity, so the amount of calories they need on a daily basis is lower than when they are puppies or adults. Furthermore, They often have trouble chewing, so all those softer foods will be perfect for your diet.

Choosing the best food for senior dogs isn't easy, so in this article, we'll answer some interesting questions so you have more information when making your decision. Don't miss it!

Natural dog food: a good option

Generally speaking, there are several types of dog food, the most common options being: dry food, wet food, BARF diet and homemade food.

Depending on our dog's needs and our financial and time capabilities, we will choose one type of food or another. However, an important point to keep in mind is the food quality that we use to feed our furry friend.

At Arquivet, we recommend opting for food made with natural, high-quality ingredientsDiets based on this type of nutrition will significantly improve our dog's health, providing all the proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals they need to enjoy good health throughout their lives.

It's important to note that foods made with poor-quality ingredients can negatively affect your dog's health. Therefore, before selecting a brand of food or choosing a specific type of diet, it's best to consult a trusted veterinarian.

On a general level, the benefits of a natural diet are many:

• Strengthens the immune system
• Helps maintain healthy teeth and bones
• Improves physical condition and digestion process
• Promotes a lower risk of food allergies
• Helps keep our pet's weight under control
• Improved well-being and overall health
• Shinier coat and more cared for skin

Choosing a natural feed can help you achieve all these benefits. and provide your furry friend with good health, as well as ensuring that he or she obtains all the nutrients necessary for his or her daily life.

At what age is a dog an adult?

We could classify the age of our furry friends into 3 stages: puppy, adult and senior.

A dog is considered a puppy until approximately 12 months of age. After that, from 12 months to 7 years, it becomes an adult dog, and after 7 years, it is considered a senior dog.

Differences between adult and senior dog food

Mainly, the difference between adult and senior feed can be summarized as:

• Energy contribution: A senior dog's physical activity level is lower than that of an adult. As they age, they become more sedentary, so their calorie needs are lower. Therefore, senior dog foods typically provide fewer calories to meet their needs and thus prevent potential weight problems.
• Easy to chew: This type of food adapted to older dogs is softer and easier to chew, as they often have problems or loss of strength in their jaw.
• Easy to digest: Made with ingredients that require easier digestion.
• Low in fat: Since older dogs often have weight problems, this type of feed contains a lower amount of fat.
• High quality protein: They include high-quality proteins to help strengthen your muscles, as they deteriorate over the years.
• Tocopherols: They help reduce the effects of aging thanks to the synergistic complex of natural antioxidants.
• Sodium phosphates: reduces tartar deposits on the teeth by stabilizing the calcium present in saliva.

Diseases and problems in older dogs

Light or soft dog food for senior dogs is very helpful for these animals who are in an advanced stage of life. However, even if we provide the best possible nutrition for our pet, the effects of aging will become visible, potentially leading to certain diseases and health problems.

Some of the most common problems or diseases are:

• Vision and hearing problems
• Skin conditions
• Significant changes in weight (usually weight gain)
• Dental problems: bad breath, tartar or plaque
• Memory deficits, cognitive dysfunction
• Reduction of muscle mass
• Osteoarthritis
• Heart problems
• Cancer

In order to find the best food for senior dogs, it is best to consult a specialized veterinarian, as they will advise you on how to proceed when feeding your pet. However, if you are looking for cheap and good dog food, you should especially consider that it is Made with the highest quality ingredients possible and include all the components that older dogs need and complete their nutritional needs.