SENIOR Dog Nutrition

 As dog breeds vary widely in size, genetics and breeds there is no official way you can tell if your dog is a senior. The American Veterinary Medical Association states that "small dogs are generally considered ‘senior’ at seven years old, but we all know they’ve got plenty of life left in them at that age. Larger-breed dogs tend to have shorter lifespans compared to smaller breeds and are often considered senior when they are 5 to 6 years of age. The ‘senior’ classification is based on the fact that pets age faster than people, and veterinarians start seeing more age-related problems in these pets. Contrary to popular belief, dogs do not age at a rate of 7 human years for each year in dog years. 

Despite advice from some veterinarians, senior dogs should not be fed a reduced protein diet. Studies have revealed that this can actually be detrimental to their health and increase their mortality rate. Learn more about the importance of feeding senior dogs a diet sufficient in protein.    

Senior dogs need a balanced diet to maintain their health, however, some veterinarians advise feeding them a low-protein diet. This is based on a faulty study performed on rats, which led them to believe that too much protein damages the kidneys and reduces the workload of the organs. However, studies using dogs disproved this theory and showed that dogs that were fed lower protein levels had a higher mortality rate. 

An article published over 50 years ago revealed that switching a dog from dry dog food to a meat-based diet benefited the kidneys by improving the glomerular filtration rate.
Despite this, some pet food companies still sell low-protein prescription diets for dogs with chronic kidney disease, and dog owners who make their own food are advised to avoid feeding their dogs red meat, poultry, and other high-protein meals. However, if a dog is fed a diet deficient in protein, the body will scavenge protein from the muscle tissue, leading to a decrease in muscle mass and strength. It is important to feed senior dogs a diet sufficient in protein in order to maintain their health and vitality. 

The protein requirements of a senior dog increase by 50%. This is because older dogs require more protein than younger dogs due to age-related changes in their body composition, metabolism, and activity levels. To meet their biological needs, seniors should be fed 28-32% more calories from protein.

It is essential to use a high-quality protein source for senior dogs. The best source of protein is free-range, grass-fed animals. These animals have a complete amino acid profile, which provides the dog with the protein building blocks necessary to maintain muscle mass. A high-quality protein source also provides essential fatty acids, which are vital for a healthy immune system and healthy skin and coat.

In addition to providing adequate protein, it is important to feed a senior dog a balanced diet that includes all essential vitamins and minerals. This ensures that the dog is getting all of the necessary nutrients for optimal health. A diet rich in antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables will also help to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in the aging canine.

Protein Recommendations for Senior Dogs on A Raw Diet 

If you’re looking to increase the protein content in your senior dog’s raw diet, there are leaner meats, eggs, kefir, and yogurt. These are all excellent sources of protein, and can be easily added to a senior dog’s diet.

When adding leaner meats, it’s important to note that this could reduce the fat content of the diet, so additional calories may be needed to make sure your senior dog is getting all the nutrition they need. Protein helps maintain muscle mass, support immune function, and promote tissue repair, all of which are important for senior dogs. Eggs are a great source of protein for senior dogs, and can be added to their diet in a variety of ways. They can be boiled, scrambled, or added to other dishes. Kefir and yogurt are also great sources of protein, and can be added to your senior dog’s diet in the form of treats, or mixed in with their regular food.

Adding extra protein to your senior dog’s diet can be a simple and effective way to make sure they get all the nutrition they need, to ensure your senior dog is getting all the nutrition they need to stay healthy and active. 

Fat Content in Common Protein Sources:

Proteins with the highest fat content
Duck
Goose
Lamb
Pork
Beef

Proteins with moderate fat content
Ostrich
Domesticated turkey and rabbit
Venison
Bison
Veal

Proteins with the lowest fat content
Quail
Wild rabbit and turkey
Emu
Goat
Camel
Kangaroo