Food for Your Aging Dog

Keeping pace with the changing nutritional needs of the aging dog requires an consideration of the dog's physical changes. One of the main problems of the aging dog is that the sense of smell begins to diminish, so it's more difficult to interest your dog in food. On the other hand, because a dog slows down as it grows older, less food will be needed to keep up good health.

As some of your dog's organs age, their functions may be affected; this will determine what kinds of foods that are easy to digest, lower in total protein than during his dynamic years, and lower in salt.

Most aging dogs have an augmented need for fluids as their kidneys slow down, so soups are an outstanding choice, especially since the heady aroma of a simmering soup will arouse that deteriorating sense of smell.

To preserve your dog's weight, it's often necessary to augment the fat intake since food isn't absorbed as resourcefully as before. The elderly dog will also benefit from vitamin supplementation. My sixteen-year-old Chloe improved her mobility, regained bladder control, and was no longer plagued with bladder infections after her diet was supplemented with a large daily amount of vitamin C. The change was dramatic and swift, and she was grateful to be able to climb steps easily and to have control over her bladder for a much longer phase.

Some oldsters become downright unusual and faddish about their food, so, at their stage in life, why not humor them. Let your dog have an occasional croissant, if that's his pleasure; part with that last morsel of truffled foie gras or lobster bordelaise.