Dogs and cats begin to show visible
age-related changes at about seven to twelve years of age. There are metabolic,
immunologic and body composition changes, too. Some of these are unavoidable.
Others can be managed with diet.
Here are our top ten tips for feeding your older pet:
1. Start your cat on a senior diet at about seven years of age.
2. Since smaller dogs live longer and don't experience age-related
changes as early as bigger dogs, size is used to determine when it’s time
to feed your canine a senior diet:
Small breeds/dogs weighing less than 20 pounds—7 years of age
Medium breeds/dogs weighing 21 to 50 pounds—7 years of age
Large breeds/dogs weighing 51 to 90 pounds—6 years of age
Giant breeds/dogs weighing 91 pounds or more—5 years of age
3. The main objectives in the feeding an older dog or cat should
be to maintain health and optimum body weight, slow or prevent the development
of chronic disease, and minimize or improve clinical signs of diseases that
may already be present.
4. As a dog or cat ages, health issues may arise, including:
- deterioration of skin and coat
- loss of muscle mass
- more frequent intestinal problems
- arthritis
- obesity
- dental problems
- decreased ability to fight off infection
5. Older dogs and cats have been shown to progressively put on body
fat in spite of consuming fewer calories. This change in body composition
is inevitable and may be aggravated by either reduced energy expenditure or
a change in metabolic rate. Either way, it is important to feed a diet with
a lower caloric density to avoid weight gain, but with a normal protein level
to help maintain muscle mass.
6. Avoid "senior" diets that have reduced levels of protein. Studies
have shown that the protein requirement for older dogs does not decrease with
age, and that protein levels do not contribute to the development or progression
of renal failure. It is important to feed older dogs diets that contain optimum
levels of highly digestible protein to help maintain good muscle mass.
7. Talk to your veterinarian about increasing your senior cat’s vitamin
E intake. Antibody response decreases as cats age. Increasing the intake of
vitamin E in cats older than seven years of age can increase their antibody
levels back to those seen in younger cats! And gamma-linolenic acid
(GLA) is an omega-6 fatty acid that plays a role in the maintenance of healthy
skin and coat. Although it is normally produced in a dog's liver, GLA levels
may be diminished in older dogs. Does your older dog’s diet contain GLA?
8. Aging can affect a dog’s intestinal bacteria, which can result
in symptoms of gastrointestinal disease. Senior diets for dogs should contain
FOS (fructooligosaccharides) to promote the growth of beneficial bacteria.
9. Antioxidants such as vitamin E and beta-carotene help eliminate
free radical particles that can damage body tissues and cause signs of aging.
Senior diets for dogs and cats should contain higher levels of these antioxidant
compounds. Antioxidants can also increase the effectiveness of the immune
system in senior cats and dogs.
10. Routine care for geriatric pets should involve a consistent daily
routine and periodic veterinary examinations to assess the presence or progress
of chronic disease. Stressful situations and abrupt changes in daily routines
should be avoided. If a drastic change must be made to an older pet's routine,
try to minimize stress and to realize the change in a gradual manner.
The above information is simply informational. It's intent is not
to replace the advice of a veterinarian nor to assist you in making a diagnosis
of your pet. Please consult with your own veterinarian for confirmation
of any diagnosis. Your pets life may depend on it.
