TheDogDigest has all the answers about the best senior dog food on the market
If you have an older pooch, you know all too well that they can no longer have the same food that they ate in their prime. If you used to feed them kibble, it may be becoming too hard for their sensitive gums. They might have been able to devour a bowlful of tasty gravy for one meal, but now they can only eat smaller portions several times a day.
If you’re worried that your senior dog is not getting the most out of their diet, we feel you. There are so many senior dog food brands out there that the number of choices can make your head spin. As all manufacturers sing praises to their products, it’s not that easy to figure out how to choose what’s best for your aging companion.
There are many watchdog sites that review dog products and even food specifically, but most of them are full of misinformation and affiliate links that earn them a hefty profit. We understand you don’t trust these as they’re driven by money and don’t have the best interests of your pup in mind.
We’re happy to say that there is a website run by real dog parents who make enormous efforts to bring you only cold, hard facts about dogs and their nutrition—TheDogDigest. They do extensive research and write honest reviews about various dog food brands and why they’re good or bad.
The importance of proper nutrition for a senior dog
As a responsible dog parent, you should know that the life stage of your dog is an important thing to consider when buying them food. A senior dog has different dietary needs than an adult pooch or a puppy. They should be given well-balanced meals, but the definition of such a meal for an oldie is not the same as that for an adult dog.
We’re sure you love your pooch and would like to prolong their life as much as you can. Adjusting their diet as they age can help you accomplish that. We learned from TheDogDigest that older pups need more fiber and protein in their everyday meals.
They also need fewer calories. It’s like with people—as we grow older, our metabolism becomes slower, causing fewer calories to be burnt. The calories we don’t burn get stored in our bodies as fat. The same principle applies to dogs. You don’t want your pooch to get overweight, so you need to avoid carb-stuffed foods.
Be mindful of your pooch’s specific needs
Whether you have watched your furry friend grow old or you’re just getting ready to welcome a senior pooch into your family, you need to know how to feed them properly. This can alleviate many problems associated with old age, and your old pal will be grateful for that. If they suffer from arthritis, for example, they could use more calcium and omega-3 fatty acids in their diet.
If you’re feeding your senior dog kibble, you need to be extra careful about keeping them hydrated. Kibble contains a low amount of moisture, only about 10%, which means your dog needs to drink plenty of fresh water on the side. If they also have kidney problems, you should pick a food brand with less salt.
Different dog breeds might also have varying nutritional needs. Mixed breed dogs are generally healthier, but feeding them properly can be tricky as you never know what problems they might inherit from their parents. These usually become the most prominent in the pup’s old age. Many food manufacturers separate their senior dog food into that for smaller and larger breeds too.
Learn how to read the label
As you can see, there are many things to consider before you fill your pooch’s bowl. The best way to check if a specific food has all the right nutrients for your older pup is to read the label. TheDogDigest has taught us that the first few ingredients on the list are the most prominent ones.
There should be at least one named meat source there, or else you should avoid the brand entirely. Each producer is obliged to display a guaranteed analysis of the most important nutrients on the package, so you will be able to check their ratio easily.
Want to know what food brands are the best for your aging dog? Visit TheDogDigest for more info
We mentioned so many things to have in mind, and we only scratched the surface. If you want to know more about senior dog food and what some of the best brands on the market are, you should go to TheDogDigest. They offer an extensive and highly informative article on the subject with honest and unbiased reviews of various foods.
When you’re done reading about senior dog food, we suggest you explore the site further. It is a wonderful resource for dog owners, whether they’re experienced pet parents or are about to adopt their first pup.