Senior Dog Food FAQs
Got a question about Senior Dog Food? To help you understand more about what to consider when choosing food for older dogs, we’ve put together some really useful answers from our nutrition team at Burgess, the pet care experts.
When should I start feeding my dog senior food?
Dogs are classed as ‘seniors’ when they’re around seven or eight years old, although this depends on their breed. When they reach this stage of their life, dogs can benefit from being fed a specially formulated diet for older dogs, with ingredients that help ease the effects that ageing can bring.
Changing to a senior dog diet is something that has to be done gradually, to avoid upset tummies or digestive issues in older dogs. You should plan to do this over a week or two, by gradually introducing more of the new food and reducing the old food.
What’s the best dog food for senior dogs and what are the benefits?
The best senior dog food is carefully formulated with all the essential nutrients an older dog needs. For example, to help combat digestive issues in older dogs, Burgess Sensitive Senior dog food supports:
Sensitive tummies: Instead of using many of the typical ingredients that can upset dog’s stomachs, such as dairy, maize or wheat, this recipe uses carbohydrates that are gentle on the digestion, such as rice.
- Digestive health: Added prebiotics support the good bacteria in your dog’s gut.
- Joints: Added glucosamine supports ageing joints, helping your dog stay mobile.
- Brain health: Mono Di and Tri Glycerides help to sustain brain health.
- Solid poos: Beet pulp is a great source of dietary fibre and helps to form solid poos. Firm poos are a good indicator that your dog is on a diet that suits their needs.
- Coat health: As dog’s age, their coat can become dull and lose its shine. Added zinc and linseed helps to maintain a glossy coat.
Is soft dog food for senior dogs a better choice?
All varieties of Burgess dog food consist of tasty, munchy kibbles, which are fortified with calcium to support healthy teeth and bones throughout your dog’s life. And, while you can add a little hot (not boiling) water to dry, complete healthy senior dog food to slightly soften the food, those crunchy nuggets are actually really good for your ageing dog’s dental health.
The RSPCA stresses the importance of feeding your dog the right food, stating: “Some owners favour wet foods for their dog over dry. However, dry dog food may have the added benefit of exercising their chewing muscles and provide a mild cleaning effect on the teeth.”
How much and how often should I feed my senior dog?
When feeding a complete dry food to your senior dog, you may find that instead of feeding twice a day, it could suit them better to split their daily portion into three or four small servings. Provide these throughout the day, ensuring they have plenty of fresh water too.
Remember to take treats into account when working out your dog’s portion sizes. The amount of senior dog food your dog needs depends on their size, breed and level of activity.
As a guide, feed your dog 90g of food for every 5kg of body weight. If your dog is over 32kg, feed them 70g of food for every 5kg of body weight. You’ll be able to find detailed feeding instructions on the back of food packs.
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