As in humans, when dogs approach their golden years, there are significant changes in their mobility, energy, curiosity, and most importantly, their diets.
Their once-bubbling energy appears to be waning.
It will be more of a miracle for them to cover the same long distances they used to when they were younger.
What can be done to help our canine friends since they cannot write us a note explaining the internal changes in their metabolism?
At the very least, providing the healthiest dog food for senior dogs can help their well-being as they approach their golden years as senior citizens in the pooch world.
Choosing the Right Dog Food for Your Senior Dog:
Choosing the right dog food for a senior dog is not a walk in the park, as there are so many options that might appear enticing but not healthy.
When your lovely companion pooch is approaching their golden years, you are not only concerned about feeding them twice a day but feeding them with the healthiest dog food for senior dogs.
Your search and choice should include foods that contain ingredients that improve joints, vitality, and mobility, promote a healthy coat, and boost the immune system, and overall well-being.
Generally, the right food for senior dogs should be natural, with no preservatives, artificial colors, flavors, and zero additives, and should contain a high moisture content of up to 70%.
Still don’t know what exactly and how to choose the healthiest foods for a senior dog?
Check out this list we curated specifically for your dog.
What To Look For In Senior Dogs Food:
Dogs have unique nutritional needs as they get closer to retirement, just like people do.
This arises from certain age-related problems that can be effectively managed by taking these things into account when planning their diets.
1. Nutritional Balance:
Now more than ever, senior dogs require a portion of food that has low calories, higher protein contents, and certain nutrients that support their joints, such as glucosamine and 3-oleic fatty acids, for their skin and coat health.
These nutrients must be derived solely from plant or animal matter.
Additionally, antioxidants containing vitamins C and E, and selenium, flavonoids, polyphenols, and zinc should be included in their diet for overall immune system support.
2. Digestability:
Just like in people, as dogs age, so does their capacity to absorb, digest, and assimilate vital nutrients from food.
Their digestive system becomes less efficient the older they grow.
Foods rich in animal proteins, carbohydrates, healthy fats, and fibre should be induced in their diets.
Also, beneficial bacteria such as probiotics and prebiotics in their natural form can be added to aid digestion.
3. Special Health Concerns:
When it relates to health in dogs, feeding, feeding habits, and feeding patterns play a major.
Some dog foods are best suited for specific health conditions such as obesity, arthritis, cognitive dysfunction syndrome, kidney disease, dental disease, heart disease, cancer, diabetes mellitus, urinary incontinence, vision and hearing loss, hypothyroidism, and allergies.
These health conditions, which are usually associated with older dogs, can also be treated using tailored diets.
Healthiest Dog Food for Senior Dogs in China:
The first thing is to know what healthy dog food should contain and what it should do for your senior dog before making any purchase.
While puppy food is mostly for nourishment and body growth, foods for senior dogs are mostly for nourishment, joint, and mobility.
They should be recommended by a professional nutritionist to meet the nutrient needs of your senior dogs for their general well-being.
However, here is a list of reputable canine food brands that offer the healthiest dog food for senior dogs in China.
This list was curated from reputable brands in China that make the best organic food for dogs.
- Royal Canin
- Hill’s science desert
- Acana
- Nature’s logic
- Taste of the wild
- Wellness
- Orijen
- Eukanuba
- Canidae
- Merrick.
Each of these brand’s products is suitable for specific breeds, ages, sizes, and needs.
For instance, Royal Canon has different dog foods for breeds of dogs such as French bulldogs, Chihuahuas, Labrador retrievers, Dachshunds, Shih Tzus, etc.
Benefits of Healthy Dog Foods:
The benefits of choosing and feeding your senior dogs healthy foods cannot be overemphasised.
Healthy dog foods have a direct impact on the overall general well-being of senior dogs as well as their quality of life as they grow older.
Here are some key highlighted benefits of healthy foods, especially in senior dogs.
- Improved longevity and quality of life
- Dental health support
- Boost immune system
- Improved digestive system
- Enhance physical well-being, etc.