If you look at what is available on dog food shelves, you will find that there are nearly as many special dog food diet programs since there are regular diets. Special diets are typically found in dry kibble or canned foods but there can be some frozen products or semi-moist formulas available also offered. These specialized food products are often intended to be given to different age groups and stages of development, and to puppies with dietary restrictions because of allergic or health issues.
Because specialized diets work well for some dogs and not others, it might need shopping around and doing some research to find the ideal diet for any issue that you wish to work on with your dog. Make certain to read the tag, such as the ingredients and guaranteed analysis, to confirm what the label says is really inside the food and is the right ratio to your pet and you can check my blog. An animal nutritionist may recommend unique brands which may work for well your dog’s issue and may also advise you exactly what ingredients you should avoid.
Foods for Senior Dogs
Senior dogs are usually less active, have more trouble with digestion and might have improved tooth loss or dental issues that could make chewing dry kibble an issue. The age when they are deemed senior will vary with various breeds, but typically it is the last third to quarter of their normal life expectancy. Since many smaller breeds live to be about 15 years longer, senior could be considered between the ages of 10-12 years. For large and giant breeds with a shorter life expectancy, senior years may start when the dog turns six or seven decades of age.
Aged foods tend to be lower in the energy generating aspects of the Food including protein, fats and carbohydrates and high in fundamental fibber. Generally the protein content of mature foods should fall from 21% to approximately 18 percent and in dogs with kidney problems like incontinence the protein ought to be decreased to 14%. Fat content can be diminished to prevent excess weight gain for less active senior dogs. Additionally wheat germ may be used to add great, higher quality fibber to help keep the digestive system working properly.
Since dental issues like tooth breakage and loss can be a problem, you should try and maintain your senior dog on an excellent dry kibble as long as you possibly can naturally eliminate build-up in the teeth and keep the gums powerful. It might be possible to slightly moisten and soften dry kibble with a small quantity of low sodium beef or chicken stock that is added to the food a couple of minutes before feeding. Avoid allowing the kibble to become mush, just give it a minute to soften slightly.
