How should dogs be fed when they are getting old?

Once a dog enters old age, its body functions will gradually change, its weight will change significantly, and its physical strength will be much worse than before. For the health of the dog, in addition to taking it out for exercise, the owner also needs to pay more attention to the dog's diet. The diet of elderly dogs is very different from that of adult dogs. The owner needs to understand what elderly dogs can eat and how to feed them scientifically.

What can the owner feed elderly dogs?

1. Special dog food for elderly dogs

When dogs get older, the nutritional composition required will change to a certain extent, so the dog food for adult dogs may not be suitable for elderly dogs. At the same time, the dog's joints and teeth will be easily damaged, and the digestive function and metabolism will be affected. If the food is too hard, it will cause tooth collapse and be difficult to digest. Therefore, the owner is better to choose suitable dog food for elderly dogs, which has a more reasonable nutritional composition.

2. Meat porridge

In addition to soft dog food, some meat porridge can occasionally be used as a staple food for elderly dogs. Porridge is easy for dogs to digest and absorb. But the owner should pay attention to try not to add too much seasoning when cooking porridge, so as to avoid diarrhea and other conditions in dogs.

3. Nutritional paste

Old dogs also need adequate nutrition, so the owner can give them some nutritional paste as snacks, which is also easy for dogs to digest and absorb.

4. Calcium supplement products

As dogs get older, their bones will become relatively fragile, and due to the decline in physical strength, the amount of exercise will also decrease, so the owner can feed them some calcium supplement products, such as calcium tablets and calcium powder.

5. Vegetables

Old dogs have poor digestion and are prone to constipation, so the owner can feed them some vegetables to supplement dietary fiber to help them with intestinal peristalsis. But feeding too many vegetables will also affect the dog's body, so pay attention to the amount!

6. Probiotics

The owner can feed the elderly dog ​​food containing probiotics to regulate the dog's stomach and promote digestion.

Dietary precautions for elderly dogs

1. Protein supplement

If the dog's kidneys are fine, then it will not reduce the amount of protein it needs as it ages. Without enough protein, dogs are prone to muscle loss, weight loss, and even kidney failure. When choosing food for elderly dogs, owners can choose some chicken and beef. These meats are rich in protein but not high in fat, and are easy to digest and absorb, and will not burden the dog's kidneys.

2. Replenish water

When dogs get older, they are prone to dehydration. Therefore, owners should prepare enough water at home. It is best to bring a kettle when going out for a walk to prevent the dog from losing water. Adequate water can prevent kidney disease and maintain the dog's health. If the elderly dog ​​does not drink water frequently, the owner can also feed some fruits and vegetables to replenish the dog's water, or directly soak the dog food in water for the dog to eat.

3. Limit salt and fat intake

Old dogs are not suitable for consuming too much high-sodium food, otherwise it will burden the kidneys and heart, and will also cause obesity. The owner should try to avoid foods with high salt and fat content, and can choose some unprocessed natural foods.

4. Supplement nutrients

When dogs get older, not only will their hair and skin become rough and dull, but their resistance will also slowly decrease. In order to supplement the dog's nutrients, the owner can buy some nutrients containing vitamins, calcium, and Omega-3 and add them to the dog's food. Before buying, the owner is advised to consult a veterinarian about which nutritional supplements are suitable for elderly dogs.

How to feed elderly dogs?

1. Due to the weakened digestive ability of elderly dogs, it is best for the owner to feed elderly dogs in small amounts and multiple times. It is best to feed more than twice a day. In winter, the number of daily feedings can be appropriately increased to allow the dog to fully digest and absorb the nutrients in the food.

2. If the dog food is still a little hard for the dog, the owner can soften the dog food with warm water before feeding it to the dog. At the same time, canned food can also be selected to prevent the dog's teeth from collapsing.

3. In order to prevent the dog from being uncomfortable with the sudden change in diet, the owner needs to gradually replace the dog's diet.

4. Many elderly dogs become obese due to too little exercise. Therefore, it is best for the owner to determine the amount of dog food according to the amount of exercise that day to maintain the dog's normal body shape and weight.

The dog's old age also means that it can accompany the owner less and less time, and their body will gradually become weak. The right diet can not only maintain the dog's physical health, but also prolong the dog's life. In addition to diet and exercise, the owner also needs to take the dog to the pet hospital for regular check-ups to observe changes in its body.