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Learn how to care for your senior dog, recommended diet & care. Find the right food, supplies & equipment at your neighborhood Petco.
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My understanding with senior diets is that there are no general guidelines that all follow. This can lead to a wide variation in the protein and mineral content of these senior diets. In general, if a senior dog is healthy and doing well on their current adult diet, I do not recommend switching diets, nor do most veterinary nutritionists. As always, talk to Tova's vet to see if their recommendation differs, but given her sensitive stomach concerns, I would hesitate to change anything.
Some quality food brands that would be good options for Daisy include Royal Canin, Hill's Science Diet, and Purina One. All of these brands have good quality canned and dry options. Thanks for using Boop by Petco!
Foods that are formulated for specific life stages are designed to provide optimal nutrition for a pet during a specific age-range or life event. The most obvious example of foods like this are those formulated for puppies, and it makes sense that puppies would likely have different nutritional requirements than other dogs, since they are growing rapidly. The specific nutritional needs of senior dogs are a bit less clear-cut, however a diet that is slightly restricted in calories is likely of benefit to them, as many of them aren’t as active as younger dogs. Many can also benefit from the addition of ingredients such as omega-3 fatty acids, as well as supplements that may improve joint health, such as glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM. In general, senior diets are a good choice for most older dogs.
While chicken necks can be a part of a balanced diet, feeding them as the entire diet is not healthy in the long run. Choose a good quality senior formula dry food. Stay away from store or discount brands. these typically contain lower quality ingredients and more fillers. An "All Life Stages" food is also an option, especially if you have more than one dog. Brands include Wholehearted ( https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/brand/wholehearted/dog/dog-food/dry-dog-food ), Natural Balance, Canidae and Orijen.
Senior dog food formulas are lower in calories and contain less fat, protein and sodium. These may not fulfill the nutritional requirements of your dog. Furthermore, neither AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) nor the National Research Council (NRC) provides guidelines for senior dog formulas. There is NO distinction made between the nutritional requirements for adult dogs and those for senior dogs. As a result, the ingredients used in pet food marketed for ‘seniors’ is determined by the manufacturer and varies widely.