Senior dog food - is it necessary?
Discussion
As dogs get older their metabolism changes and they generally require less calories and therefore less fat protien. Chewing, teeth, digestion and sense of taste can also be affected in older animals. It's really a case of you knowing your animal, noticing changes and having a chat with the vet at your annual check up.
A senior product can *help* with obesiety and the right balance of nutritional content. However, unless your dog is overfed or under exercised I wouldn't say it was necessary as in life or death - maybe just preferable.... according to your own pets needs.
You shouldn't need to pay more and you can make small changes yourself.
A senior product can *help* with obesiety and the right balance of nutritional content. However, unless your dog is overfed or under exercised I wouldn't say it was necessary as in life or death - maybe just preferable.... according to your own pets needs.
You shouldn't need to pay more and you can make small changes yourself.
Rouleur said:
I've often wondered about this, and now my Springer is around eight or so I'm wondering whether I should start him on Skinner's Light & Senior instead of their normal feed. It contains a few extra ingredients to help with joints etc so I guess I can't go wrong...
My springer is 10 and I have always fed her on Chudley's Classic but over last couple of years added a spoonfull of Pedigree 'Better by Nature'to it.She does tend to eat a little less though but full of energy still. 
Pretty much agree with what Parakitamol has written.
I would only add that senior foods are designed to try and slow down changes relating to age. A lot of changes can go unnoticed so damage already occurred before signs develop. How much senior diets slow down these changes is anybodys guess but there's nothing wrong in trying.
I would only add that senior foods are designed to try and slow down changes relating to age. A lot of changes can go unnoticed so damage already occurred before signs develop. How much senior diets slow down these changes is anybodys guess but there's nothing wrong in trying.
I have a Welsh Springer who is coming up for 13, he still eats the same tined food we have always used from our local farm shop, think its called Gelert, comes in rabbit, chicken and beef. He also has a Gucosamine tablet (Superdrug or Tesco)to help keep his joints healthy (they appear to make a huge difference). The only change we have had to make is that he will not eat his evening meal if his biscuits are mixed up with the meat, he now has to have them served on the side !!!!
Jasandjules said:
You could mix some senior food in with his normal food for a while and add glucosamine supplements etc.
I'm going to get some glucosamine at some point soon. Looking at an old thread on here earlier it looks as though supermarket brands are suitable in small doses. I think I'll order some senior Skinners next time too.
Rouleur said:
Jasandjules said:
You could mix some senior food in with his normal food for a while and add glucosamine supplements etc.
I'm going to get some glucosamine at some point soon. Looking at an old thread on here earlier it looks as though supermarket brands are suitable in small doses. I think I'll order some senior Skinners next time too.
There is also a product we use called Yumove to ease joints (have changed from cortaflex) in our elderly pooch.
Sorry I didn't mean use to Glucosamine as it is often made from shark cartilege, I forgot that we changed it for that reason.
Sorry I didn't mean use to Glucosamine as it is often made from shark cartilege, I forgot that we changed it for that reason.
Edited by Jasandjules on Friday 5th November 19:27
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