As your pets age it’s important to try to support them as much as possible. Diet is a vital part of this and some simple adaptations can make a huge difference.
The first thing to remember as your pet ages is that their energy levels will begin to decline. Adjusting the amount of food they consume to match their slower metabolism will help avoid excess weight gain. It’s important to maintain a healthy weight, this will ensure the joints aren’t under pressure which will affect mobility as well as increase joint pain. It will also lessen the risk of other weight related issues such as heart disease and diabetes. It’s important to ensure if you’re reducing calories that you’re not also reducing nutrition.
Type of Food
I would always advocate feeding a fresh, whole food diet which will provide quality protein sources. This would ensure your dog is consuming quality, nutritious food that is going to give them the best chance of health and longevity. However even with a fresh diet, whether that’s raw or lightly cooked, some additions may be beneficial for your oldies.
Most commercially available pet foods are ultra processed, whether they are dry or wet. This means the nutrients that are present will generally be synthetic, so are less able to be used by the body or if they are from whole food sources they will most likely be denatured by the high heat processing. The addition of some nutrient dense whole foods has been shown to be a positive move and will help prevent inflammation and provide your senior pet with extra support.
A study of more than 500 dogs over a 5 year period showed that those dogs fed a homemade diet of quality foods had a life expectancy of 32 months longer than those fed a commercial pet food diet! (1)
Foods such as eggs, small oily fish, berries and organ meats are all full of essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants for your senior pet and are all easy toppers to add to their meals.
A fresh whole food diet will also be hydrating, which is vital for cellular health and all bodily functions. Bone broth is a great addition to your dog’s diet at any age but it’s especially beneficial for seniors. It’s highly nutritious and can be added to meals to make them more palatable. You may find your previously raw fed dog may prefer to eat lightly cooked meal as they age, this is usually a tastier and more easily digestible option for them.
Supplements
Supplementation can be beneficial as pets age. There are a huge array of products on the market so it’s important to ensure you’re purchasing a quality product from a reputable supplier.
Omega 3’s are essential fatty acids, they can be found in oily fish and help reduce inflammation, maintain healthy joints as well as reduce cognitive decline. Green lipped mussel or algae oil are more sustainable alternatives.
Your pet’s microbiome, which is responsible for their immune system may change as they age and become unbalanced. This can be supported with pre or probiotics, either from food sources or through supplementation. (2)
Mushrooms, such as Lions Mane offer support for the brain and nervous system making it a really useful supplement for those pets who are suffering with cognitive decline and who may be anxious. Turkey tail mushroom can help with immune support. Blends of various useful mushroom supplements are available. (3)
We all want our pets to live long, healthy lives and hopefully with some extra nutritional support you’ll be able to enjoy each other’s company for as long as possible. ♥️
I hope you found this information useful. If you would like more nutritional advice for your pet, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Tina Clyde LCGI 💚
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