As dogs advance in age, you will have to pay extra attention to their changing dietary needs. It’s especially troubling if they no longer want the food they used to love. This is perfectly normal. If you’re in a rush and have no time to go to the vet or the nearest dog store, perhaps it’s time for you to look up a couple of senior dog recipes.
When cooking a dog recipe, pay attention to the special dietary needs of your dog. For instance, your senior dog might need to add more protein and calcium to their food. Here’s a video of a quick homemade dog recipe that contains some essential nutrients from turkey, chopped meat, and eggs. The entire recipe cost just $20 to $25 days, and can last for a couple of days. And if your pet friend responds well to it, perhaps you can include it in your dog’s regular diet.
It’s not difficult to make at all! Just combine, stir, and cook, and you can serve your senior dog with a healthy platter. Bon appétit, indeed!
As dogs age, it is normal for them to lose a bit of their appetite and eat less than they used to. If your dog also happened to already be a bit of a picky eater, this could really amplify the issue. If is the case for you, then you may want to consider switching to home made meals for your senior dog. This could be the perfect opportunity, since they are eating less (meaning less for you to cook) and it is even more important that they get the nutrients they need in every mouthful.
Start with selecting your meats and fish. You do not have to serve them the same kind all the time; in fact, switching between types of protein can help your dog get the different kinds of fatty acids that your dog needs.
Dogs also need their vegetables just like humans do. Introduce the veggies in small quantities with other food and then increase the proportions if they like that particular vegetable. The fiber in the veggies will also help with any constipation issues your senior dog may be experiencing.
Feeding Picky Senior Dogs
Grains
Cooked grains add vitamins, minerals and additional fiber to your dog’s diet. Oatmeal is bland and soothing, and can pair with an array of other foods. White rice is also good for dogs, yet mild enough that your picky eater shouldn’t complain. Pair oatmeal, rice and other grains with a protein source and vegetable for a rounded meal.
Tips
Before you embark on a home-cooked dogie diet, check in with your vet to ensure your older dog has no health problems. Diabetes, dental problems and kidney problems can all affect your dog’s appetite. (Full article here)
Keep your chin up! You are sure to find a combination that your pooch will love. It is worth it to try out different ingredients and different combinations as it will benefit your dog and help you in the end, too. If you have any questions or any suggestions that you would like to share, be sure to put them in the comments section below.
As your dog ages, their stomach can become a bit more sensitive and it can start to get tricky finding a good dog food that they can take and that is good for them. How in the world did people feed their dogs before ‘Kibbles N Bits’? The pioneers were not hitching up the wagon and going into town for a bag of dog food, right? So how did they feed their dogs to keep them healthy? Answer: They either fed the dogs scraps or made their own dog food.
Here is a recipe from James Wesley and his blog SurvivalBlog.com where he covers his findings on a home made dog food that is both nutritious and cheap. It is made up of ingredients that are easy on a dog’s tummy and easy on your wallet as well. There can be confusion about what you can and should feed your dog on a regular basis and senior dogs sometimes get sensitive stomachs that compound this question. Try this and let us know what you think.
“Home Made” Dog Food Helps Senior Dog’s Tummy
With a degree in Animal Science, I decided to put my education to a practical use. So after several versions of the following recipe, here is the most balanced one. My German Shepherd dogs love it… This recipe is simple and versatile and far less expensive than canned or dry food.
I call it the “Third Recipe”, because all the portions are in roughly thirds; Rice, Vegetables and Meat. Once you get into the routine, it is very easy and you’ll know what amounts you are regularly using.
Important point to remember is dogs are omnivores, not carnivores, which mean they eat all sorts of stuff, not just meat. A meat protein diet will make a dog hyper and overly aggressive plus damage their kidneys. Feeding dogs is being sold as an “exact” science now. The basics of good nutrition are covered in this formula and inexpensive to feed.
The “Third Recipe” for Dogs
White rice boiled with an optional chicken bullion cube – carbohydrates for energy, easy digestion and bullion cube for favor. You can substitute potatoes occasionally. No pasta, will ruin a dog’s teeth.
Vegetables – frozen or canned or fresh – green beans or peas/carrots or mixed vegetables – I prefer frozen over canned – and green beans are best. Easily digested and have fiber.
Meat – chicken, turkey, tuna or beef or wild game or eggs
Two half meals – morning and evening- and the cup portions depend on the size of your dog(s). All ingredients are roughly in thirds, but if you have an active dog, use more rice. (Full article here)
The rest of the article goes on to give you more information about preparation and the best places to buy your supplies as well. If your senior pooch has been having a hard time eating regular dog food, this is really a home made option you ought to try.
Give it a go and then report back here and let us know how your sweet friend liked it!
When your dog reaches the last third of his normal life expectancy, making him a ‘senior,’ you may become worried about his health being. You may start taking extra care of his eating habits and dietary needs. This may be the time when he starts moving slower, being a little less active and even showing little to no interest on eating food given to him.
As a dog owner, this may come off as a challenge to you, especially if you’re used to taking care of an active dog that used to be in good shape. To help you on that dilemma, here is the list of the best senior dog foods for your pet.
The Best Senior Dog Foods For Your Pet
Yogurt is a source of probiotics (beneficial bacteria that can help with digestive problems).
Eggs. Providing protein in its most bioavailable form, eggs are associated with a number of health benefits.
Liver. Exceptionally nutrient-dense, liver is packed with vitamins and trace minerals.
Fish provides omega-3 fatty acids that support the immune system, reduce inflammation, and contribute to skin and coat health.
Broccoli. Cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and brussels sprouts provide antioxidants and other nutrients that might help prevent cancer.
Sweet potatoes are packed with beta-carotene, also found in other yellow-orange vegetables.
Berries. The antioxidants in blueberries, raspberries, blackberries and strawberries might help prevent cancer.
Chicken. Dark meat provides more nutrition than ultra-low-fat chicken breast.
Beef. Red meat provides iron, zinc and other nutrients.
Oatmeal. Oats and other whole grains provide a variety of vitamins and minerals, including antioxidants, as well as fiber that can help some dogs with digestive issues.(Click here to read more)
Aside from regular intake of nutritious foods, your dog also needs water as he ages. This is because veterinarians say that dog’s ability to hold his water balance decreases as he grows older. That’s why it’s important to keep your dog properly hydrated.
Before you panic about the prominent changes you see in your pet, keep in mind that it’s common for older dogs to suffer from reduced appetite. But before you opt on giving him supplements, consult a medical assistance from your local veterinary first. Not only will the veterinarian give you a list of the best senior dog foods for your pet, he may even treat any possible serious disease that may have inflicted your dog.
Do you have any thoughts to share on this subject? Hit us up in the comment section below and don’t forget to LIKE us on Facebook.
It is normal for an aging dog to undergo different physiological changes. You may notice that your older dog is now getting slower than before. You may see that his appetite changes drastically. He used to love eating practically anything. But now, he seems to have lost interest in food.
These changes may give you a lot of stress. That’s why it’s important to be aware of what these changes are so it will be easier for you to tend to your pet’s needs effectively and keep up with his eating habits. Now the question is: do senior dogs have special nutritional needs?
Two veterinarians explain this here:
“Seniors and geriatrics generally need lower-calorie diets to help prevent obesity — a huge problem in seniors — and higher-fiber diets to improve gastrointestinal health,” Metzger says.
“Probably the most important thing for a geriatric dog is that their energy requirement gets lower,” Nunez says. With a slower metabolic rate, older dogs are more likely to become overweight or obese.
In that case, foods labeled “multi-stage” would be acceptable for puppies, adults, and seniors. “You make some compromises when you do the ‘multi-stage’ diets,” Nunez says. “So they’re my second choice. But some people just can’t separate the foods. The puppy will get into the senior diet, and the senior dog will get into the puppy food.”
Metzger tells WebMD that when it comes to snacks, you should serve your senior dog healthy, low-fat, low-sodiumtreats. Although many dog owners think of bones and milk biscuits as snacks, there are alternatives. “Vegetables are great,” Metzger says. “Most dogs like carrots and apple slices.” But avoid grapes and raisins because they’re harmful to dogs. (Click here to read more)
Watching your senior dog live through the last stage in his life is not easy. It’s hard to see your beloved pet during his last years, especially when his organs are starting to shut down. But death is a natural part of life, for both humans and animals, and there is nothing you can do about it.
So while you can’t prolong your dog’s life, you can still make his remaining days with you happy and memorable. Now that you know the answer to “do senior dogs have special nutritional needs?” the best thing you can do is provide proper diet, nutrition, care and medication for your aging beloved pet. After all, nothing beats a healthy dose of tender loving care from his owner.