You hate to admit it, but your furry chum is getting a little older. You want to ensure that your pet is happy and healthy for many years to come. You have seen all of the hype about the new dog diets for older pets. Is there actually a difference between dog food for adult dogs and kibble recommended specifically for seniors? How do you know when to switch your pet to a different diet?

The best resource for advice about dogs diet is your pets vet. Only you and your trusted veterinary know the specific needs of your pet. Talk with your vet about any concerns and questions you may have. Your veterinary will assist you with any changes, that is if any, need to be made to your dogs diet.

If your older dog does not have any health troubles and keeps a healthy weight, there is no need to alter your dogs diet from adult to senior dog food. On the other hand, if your dog has difficulty keeping the weight off or digestive issues, you may need to alter your dogs diet. If weight is the only issue, consider somewhat lowering the amount of dog food you give to your pet. This may be all the change your dogs diet requires.

A senior dog is classed as a dog in the last third of their life span. Larger dogs, for instance a Great Dane, live to be about 9 years old. Around the sixth year of life, you may want to consider a senior dogs diet. A poodle, on the other hand would not reach senior status until about age ten due to the longer life expectancy. Primarily, the decision to change your dogs diet should be dependent on health condition rather than actual age in years. Your veterinary surgeon will help you to make up one's mind when the satisfactory time is to change your dogs diet.

Dog food especially made for senior dogs typically has less calories. This helps to combat any weight issues.  The senior dog food also contains more fiber for the different needs in your dogs diet. As dogs age, they tend to suffer from constipation. This additional fiber will help remedy this problem.

Renal failure can be another medical problem for senior dogs. How can your dogs diet help this problem? Reducing the amount of protein in your dogs diet will lessen the work load for the kidneys. For this reason, senior dog food often has lower protein content than regular adult formulas.

Whenever possible, allow your dog to eat dry dog food to encourage excellent dental health. The dry kibble helps to reduce plaque and tartar buildup. If your older pet declines to eat the food dry, you may want to moisten it with water or purchase moist canned varieties.

When your veterinary surgeon recommends supplements may be a help as part of your senior dogs diet. It Is because, some pets are unable to eat properly due to dental problems. many other older pets are not able to gain all of the nutrients from their food, this again is for varying health reasons. Supplements such as, vitamins given everyday and glucosamine can be a great help to maintain a healthy diet for your dog.

Glucosamine assists to encourage joint health. For senior dogs, glucosamine can combat arthritis and hip displasia.

Vitamins C, A, and E, help reduce the natural aging process and encourage better health for senior dogs. You should talk to your veterinary surgeon about adding such supplements to your dogs diet.

We all want what is best for our pet. Your senior dog should have a diet that meets their nutritional needs. You and your veterinary surgeon should work together to decide what is the best diet for your senior dog. Your dogs diet will directly affect their health. Take care of your pet by supervising your dogs diet closely with the help of your veterinary.

For further free information be sure to visit Free Dog Diet Tips