We must bear in mind that, like humans, older dogs can suffer from diseases related to their age, such as loss of vision and / or hearing, arthritis, cognitive dysfunction, urinary incontinence …, and that they will have less mobility with respect to younger canids.
Therefore, owners of older dogs must make changes in their diet so that it adapts to the nutritional needs that the animals demand. Thus, it is important that dogs follow a reduced fat diet. Since they move less than young dogs, they use less energy and therefore burn less fat. To avoid overweight and associated diseases , it is important to reduce the presence of fats in your food.
Instead, protein intake should be increased, since these are responsible for delaying the effects of aging, in addition to counteracting the loss of muscle mass typical of age.
Lower calories
As we have pointed out, the mobility of these canids is reduced. Therefore, it is essential that we reduce the amounts of food for older dogs . Obesity and being overweight are a major problem in older dogs, as it damages their joints, complicates other conditions they may suffer from, and further limits their movement. Hence, it is necessary to lower the amount of calories. With 20% less, they can go about their normal life without putting on extra pounds.
We must also include more fiber, since at this age they can suffer from intestinal transit problems. The presence of fiber will help you burn fat and benefit your digestion.
Supplement your diet
In addition, it is important to supplement their diet with vitamins that delay the effects that the years have on the animal. Among them, it is essential to increase the intake of vitamin C, which benefits the brain activity of the canid and reduces the chances of the animal suffering from neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s .
The supplements should also include tryptophan and phosphatidylserine. Tryptophan is an amino acid that affects the mood of the dog and helps him to be calm and sleep better. For its part, phosphatidylserine helps counteract the effects of age-related memory loss.
With these changes in the dog’s diet, we will be able to stabilize the wear and tear of old age and will make it feel agile and happy.
