How to Feed Older Dogs a Balanced Diet

Tailor your dog's diet to match your pet's physical changes as she ages. Here are a few things to consider.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Dental Kits (for Dogs)
• Dog Bones
• Dog Dishes
• Dog Food
• Dog Treats
• High-quality Dog Food
• Reduced-calorie Dog Food

1. Choose dog food that is specific for your older dog's physical condition (weight, activity level and size) and will help maintain proper weight and nutritional status.

2. Choose high-quality dog food in which 20 to 30 percent of total calories are from good protein. If your dog is exposed to environmental stress (cold, extreme heat), be sure the diet has at least 25 to 30 percent protein content.

3. Purchase dog food that mentions both AAFCO (Association of American Feeding Control Officials) and Animal Feeding Trials (or Animal Feeding Tests) on its label.

4. Provide fewer calories if your older dog is less active. Offer highly palatable and digestible food since older dogs also have diminished abilities to digest, smell, taste and chew.

5. Feed twice a day.

6. Consult a veterinarian before implementing a new diet or changing a diet if health problems are present.

Tips & Warnings

• A small amount of grass eating is normal and doesn't hurt dogs.
• Most high-quality commercial dog food provides recommended amounts of nutrients; therefore, commercial vitamins are not needed. In fact, excess dietary supplements cause nutritional imbalance and medical disorders, and some vitamins and minerals are toxic in high dosages.
• Dogs prone to constipation should increase fiber intake.
• Be sure dogs are given a complete medical screening for kidney disease, obesity, heart disease or any other conditions that may warrant specific dietary needs. Dogs with kidney or heart disease may need lower protein, phosphorus and sodium levels.

Who Can Help Sponsored

on 4/3/2006 Just as you don't like eating the same meal one time per week, imagine how your dog feels eating the same meals time after time. As long as your dog has no medical conditions prohibiting certain foods, add in a wee bit of what you yourself are eating. Good examples are (keep proportion in mind please) scrambled eggs, fresh vegetables, applesauce, hamburger (as long as it's low fat and not beef from cow's fed steroids), macaroni with cheese, even fresh cabbage and lettuce.

Your dog will thank you for the variety you are giving him "from your own plate" without them literally eating from your plate.

on 3/30/2006 I feed my 12-year-old dog a moist mixture of meat (e.g. ground beef, chicken, fish), minced steamed veggies and a little rice. He also gets all natural chicken jerky or beef liver treats. I switched his diet from commercial food after a lot of careful research. Since I've changed his diet, he looks years younger, his fur is shiny, soft and dandruff-free, and he is more energetic. Also, his stool is very small. His blood tests are completely normal. He also gets filtered water (our faucet has a PUR filter).

Strangers often comment how young and healthy he looks. I think he looks great. Despite what a lot of people think, it's really not a lot of work and doesn't cost that much because I shop at Costco. I make big batches once a week, portion it out and freeze the extras.

on 11/22/2005 I feed my 13 year old Yorkie a special homemade diet of fish and boiled potato. We put in two teaspoons of digestive enzymes, one teaspoon of flaxseed oil, one tablespoon of wheat grass powder, 3-4 cups of carrots, 6 boiled potatoes, and 2 pound of ground white fish meat.

on 11/22/2005 On occasion, maybe once a week I will give my old German Shepherd dog a package of Beef liver from the meat market. It is cheap and it's like giving her a blood transfusion. Seems to really help.

on 11/22/2005 If the dog is on a dry/wet diet, keep the dry food out all the time, but only feed him the wet food twice a day.