As a dog becomes older, its health and energy levels gradually deteriorate. Just as it happens with humans, the older dog body’s ability to heal itself diminishes, as well as its faculty to adapt to stress, to changes in its surroundings, and to control normal body functions.

Even more, when dogs reach seven years of age, or five years of age in the case of large breed dogs, their metabolism slows down, so older dogs need to be fed senior dog food, an option that is lower in calories. In some cases, all natural dog food or a raw dog food diet may assist with a balanced nutritional diet. Dog food for senior dogs will give your special friend a longer and happier life.

It is very important for senior dogs to have an appropriate diet; nevertheless, there is no such thing as the best senior dog food. Yes, you read right, there is not a top-of-the-line senior dog food in the market, and this is simply because the best food for an older dog depends on its specific health problems and nutritional needs.

Every dog is unique, so the best food for it is unique too; one brand that may work wonders in a breed or particular dog, may not work so well in another, simply because each breed ages differently and presents different health conditions.

The majority of senior dog food brands offer low levels of protein, sodium, and phosphorus to support their aging hearts and kidneys. Older dogs can also benefit from larger amounts of certain vitamins.

One major problem in senior dogs, and one that must be taken very seriously, is the excess of weight. Most definitely, the fatter the dog is, the shorter its life will be, and in addition, obesity may also contribute to other important health problems.

In order to give your older dog the best health care possible, give it good quality senior dog food that is right for its specific needs, and do not let your dog gain too much weight. Avoid giving it table scraps or food leftovers, instead, reinforce an appropriate diet and stick to it.

Older dogs that suffer from arthritis find it very hard and painful to move and they may need very potent drugs to alleviate the pain. For pets that have this condition, maintaining a proper weight may help a lot in improving their quality of life, so if your dog is overweight, talk to your vet and ask him or her to recommend special senior dog food, lower in calories and higher in fiber, which will make it easier for your pal to lose weight.

Moreover, as your dog gets older, your vet may pinpoint special nutritional requirements and restrictions in order to hold back the development of certain illnesses specific to its breed, or to improve particular organ function.

Today, there are many special diets available for many different dog diseases, even when these develop early on. Good vets are very knowledgeable in regards to special senior dog food needs for kidney, liver, gastrointestinal, heart, dental and skin conditions, as well as for very serious illnesses like diabetes and cancer.

Finding the right senior dog food for your pet is a crucial part of the management of its nutritional plan, and it is something you, as the owner, have full control over, so make the most out of it to ensure your senior dog eats well, and stays strong and energized.

Senior Dog Food – What is Better, Dry or Wet Dog Food?

One of the topics that are frequently evaluated in senior dog food reviews is whether dry or wet food is better for a senior dog. Even though opinions vary, many experts think canned food beats the dry kind, and in other cases they recommend a combination of both.

Here’s a list of the good and bad in each type:

WET FOOD
The good

This type of food normally has more protein, moisture, and vitamins.
The majority of dogs find wet food yummier.
Wet food is less processed.
Canned food does not have as many chemicals because it does not need to be preserved.
It is easier for senior dogs with dental problems to chew wet food.
Cans can be stored for a long time and can be bought in bulk.

The bad

After open, wet food goes rotten very fast; thus, it can’t be left in the bowl for a long time. Leftovers have to be taken out of the can, put in a sealed container, and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Canned food costs more than dry food.
If your dog gets used to wet food, it will be very hard to change him to dry food.
Some canned food is only supposed to be used as supplementary feeding, not as a complete diet.

DRY FOOD
The good

This kind of food exercises the muscles of the jaw and fulfills the dog’s natural chewing nature.
It is less expensive than wet food
Dry food lasts longer after it is opened.
It could help clean your dog’s teeth.

The bad

Dry food offers less natural nutrition because it has been baked and also because of the way it is stored.
It has more preservatives than canned food.
A bag of dry food does not last as long as a closed can.

Whether wet or dry, it is undeniable that your old pal has to be fed the food that is appropriate for his age. Some vets recommend that senior dogs eat the dry kind instead of the wet because it contains more calories; however, canned food also has many benefits for older dogs.

Make sure you research and read senior dog food reviews extensively before choosing the best kind of food for your dog.

Learn the Difference Between the Innova Senior Dog Food Option

In the mid 90’s Innova started producing the Innova Senior Classic food for senior dogs. At that time, scientific studies indicated that older dogs lived better lives if they were fed low protein and fat diets, and so, this classic has done many senior dogs along the years a lot of good and it has earned very good consumer reviews.

However, nowadays new and more accurate research has established that some senior dogs really benefit from a high protein intake like the one they received as young adults and to address this new discovery, Innova senior dog food has included two new options to make sure your old pal is covered in every scenario.

Here is the main difference between the Innova senior dog foods, all of which contain the highest levels of Vitamin E, glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate permitted. We have also included in this review two more options that may be suitable for some older dogs even if these are not specifically senior formulas:

Formula	Protein	Fat	Joint Health	Description
Innova Adult	24	14	No	This is given to normal healthy adult dogs (some very healthy senior dogs may keep eating it without problem)
Innova Senior Classic	18	8	Yes	This is the first Innova senior dog food product developed. It is a low protein and fat diet for older dogs that contains glucosamine hydrochloride and chondroitin sulfate to support joint health.
Innova Senior Plus	24	8	Yes	Some dogs tend to gain weight as they get older. They still need protein to preserve their muscles but also require food that contains fewer calories. This option is their answer, and it contains glucosamine hydrochloride and chondroitin sulfate to support joint health.
Innova Large Breed Senior	26	10	Yes	Large breed dogs, if not cared for, will gain lots of weight as they get older. These animals need protein to keep their muscles strong and less calories to stay in shape. This Innova senior dog food option offers the right amount of protein large senior dogs need, with less calories per pound of body weight than small or medium size breeds require and it also contains glucosamine hydrochloride and chondroitin sulfate to support joint health.
Innova Low Fat	18	8	No	This formula is a good choice for dogs that tend to gain weight easily and that are susceptible to higher amounts of fat.

These three Innova senior dog food options are good choices for an older dog, as they contain what your pal needs to enjoy a happy, healthy and full life. It is you who, after consulting with your vet, should select the right formula for your elderly dog.

The other two options provided here may suit your aging pal if its health is in prime condition when reaching this last stage.

Must Have Dietary Key Ingredients In Natural Senior Dog Foods

Dog owners today have a deeper understanding of the causes and effects of their pets’ diet in their quality of life. There is no question that nowadays it is easier to trust you are feeding your dog a diet full of the nutrients it needs, in the amounts these are needed.

Here we are going to help you even more by showing you four dietary key ingredients that are crucial for longevity and general health if you are thinking about giving your senior dog a natural senior dog food:

Fiber
If you want to give your old pal the best fiber possible, look for a natural food that contains fairly digestible fiber since it encourages the highest digestibility and the right quantity of stool.

One example of such a fiber is beet pulp, which is a prebiotic too. It plays an important part in the health of the large intestine because it supports and nurtures the growth of good bacteria in this body organ.

Prebiotics
These are non-digestible oligosaccharides that encourage the development of gatherings of specific bacteria in the colon. Prebiotics include by-products of fructose and glucose, and they help in the growth of bifidobacteria, modifying and enhancing the flora.

A good example of such a prebiotic is Inulin, which comes from the Chicory Root and is a natural source of soluble fermentable fiber.

Probiotics
These are live microorganisms or Direct Fed Microbials (DFM) that develop naturally and are crucial to your dog’s health and the general efficiency of its digestive system as long as there are enough of them.

It has been discovered that when you add the right levels of DFM like Lactobacillus acidophilus and Enterococcus Faecium to natural senior dog food these help your pal enjoy a healthy digestion and immune performance by restoring the balance within the intestinal flora, which toughens it up against bacterial overdevelopment of dangerous organisms.

Kelp
This ingredient contains up to 21 amino acids, 12 vitamins and 60 key and trace minerals, and highly enriches your dog’s body functioning as a whole.

5 Things You Have to Consider When Analyzing Senior Dog Food Reviews

No matter how good a senior dog food review is, the food may not be the best choice for your old pal.

Each dog is different; has unique needs, personality, and taste inclinations; so remember that the food you choose must satisfy and be good for your friend… and no one else.

Senior dog food reviews are very helpful in giving you a general picture of the best and worse brands out there; nevertheless, the final decision is made by your dog. He/she has to like it, so you will probably have to try several brands.

It may help your choice to consider these 5 aspects when reading senior dog food reviews:

1. Does it apply to your dog’s breed?

A small dog requires small bits, while bigger breeds eat bigger pieces. In the same way, some breeds may like wet food better, as it is more tasteful and softer.

2. Does it apply to your dog’s age?

When your dog reaches seniority his needs are very different than a puppy’s. Even though old dogs need the same amount of protein younger dogs need, some senior pals may need a low protein diet due to a certain health issue… so make sure you extensively check the food reviews for these kind of formulas.

3. Does it apply to your dog’s weight and energy level?

Senior dogs tend to get fat because they exercise less; thus, your pal may need a low-calorie diet. Senior dog food reviews will help you find the best dry or wet food for obese dogs.

4. Does it apply to your dog’s health condition?

Is your dog allergic? Is he diabetic? Is he showing signs of renal problems? Read dog food reviews to find the good and the bad in formulas for these kinds of health conditions.

5. Does it fit your finances?

The food you buy for your pal has to be affordable, and some brands are quite expensive. However, online companies now offer very appealing discounts and coupons on many different brands, so consider buying your dog’s food through the Internet.

Older Dogs

Our older dog section is most complete online source of information about older dogs. We even have a full list of nationally recognized senior dog food, and vitamins and supplements to help you find the best option for your senior pal; of course, we recommend you first consult with your dog’s vet about the best brand and type of food for its aging body.

Our mission is to give you all the important information you need to properly take care of aging dogs. In our website you will find articles, resources, and relevant information about crucial topics like senior dog food, senior dog arthritis, senior dog supplements, senior dog allergies, senior dog medications, senior dog rescue groups, and pet insurance, dog food for allergies, among many others.

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