As you dog advances in age, you may have to modify their diet to suit their changing needs. But what are the qualities that meet the criteria of the best senior dog food?
For one, it must be healthy, considering that your senior dog will need more nutrients to overcome their physical weaknesses. Also, it must be palatable—what used to be delicious for them before won’t be as tasty for them today. In terms of taste and nutritional value, there are ten best foods that your senior dog will love.
Yogurt, being a rich in probiotics, can help with your dog’s digestive problems. All you need to do is add a spoonful of yogurt in every meal.
Another healthy treat are eggs, which have several nutrients and area easy to digest. You can feed two for your large dog who weigh around 60 pounds, one for your 30- to 60-lb dog, and half an egg for your small dog.
Liver is great for your dog, because it has vitamins and minerals that can keep your dog energized. It should comprise around 5% of your dog’s daily. To give you a picture of just how much liver you can feed your dog: 2 ounces for your 100-pound dog daily, ½ ounce for your 25-pound dog daily, ½ ounce for your small dog every other day.
Fish is one of the best meats for your dog, with its omega-3 acids that not only keeps their coat healthy but also strengthens their immune system. Don’t worry about spending too much on this, because canned fish with bones (pink salmon and sardines) are perfect for your buddy.
Aside from fish, chicken and beef will help keep your older dog healthy and strong, as long as you feed them both in moderation and remove the fatty parts. The dark meat of chicken are better than the chicken breast and the skin.
As for beef, a great idea would be to feed them a mix of poultry that includes beef and turkey. Just make sure you drain the fat beforehand.
At your dog’s advanced age, vegetables are an absolute must. Broccoli, sweet potatoes and berries are the best ones.
YUM! Best Food For Senior Dogs
Broccoli. Cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and brussels sprouts provide antioxidants and other nutrients that might help prevent cancer. Limit amounts if they cause gas. These vegetables are best served cooked because the raw form can suppress thyroid function if you feed too much.
Sweet potatoes are packed with beta-carotene, also found in other yellow-orange vegetables. They are also a good source of vitamin C and other antioxidants. Sweet potatoes and other starchy foods should always be cooked.
Berries. The antioxidants in blueberries, raspberries, blackberries and strawberries might help prevent cancer. Berries also provide fiber. (More here)
To wrap up this list is a healthy favorite both for dogs and humans alike: oatmeal. It is rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber. There’s more than one way to cook oatmeal, so you can experiment until you get the best flavor for your favorite buddy!
And the best part about these ten foods? They’re pretty flexible, so feel free to add a dash of flavor and come up with a recipe that’s perfect for your furry friend.