Indulge Your Senior Pooch: Uncovering the Best Dog Treats for Older Dogs to Improve Their Health and Happiness
If you’re looking for dog treats for older dogs, you’ve come to the right place. We carry a wide variety of dog treats for older dogs, including many that are designed to help improve your dog’s joint health. Whether you’re looking for a treat that will help your dog with their arthritis or a treat that will help them maintain their weight, we have what you need. Plus, our dog treats for older dogs are all made in the USA and are free of any artificial ingredients. So, you can feel good about giving your dog a treat that they’ll love.
Best 10 Dog Treats For Older Dogs
The Importance of Choosing the Right Dog Treats for Your Older Dog
Pros and Cons of Feeding Your Senior Dog Wet Food
You might be considering switching your dog to a diet of entirely wet food as he ages. This isn’t necessarily a bad idea. There are pros and cons to feeding your senior dog canned food. Here’s what you need to know.
Pros of Canned Food
May be easier to chew for dogs with dental disease
May help keep weight on older dogs who need to gain
Can be more palatable for finicky eaters
Cons of Canned Food
May be more expensive
Can be messy
May have more calories per cup
What to Look For When Choosing the Right Dog Treats for Your Senior Dog
Your beloved pooch who used to be the picture of health is slowing down and not acting like her or himself anymore. Is it the beginning of the end? It doesn’t have to be unless you choose it to be. Your dog is entering the golden era of their life and still has a lot of fun, love, and sloppy kisses to give. As a doggie parent, you can help keep the tail wagging with the right nutrition and care. Just like humans, the older your furry friend gets the more the body starts to change. Sometimes it’s subtle, and other times it’s very obvious. The right nutrition can help maintain their health even when their body starts to show some wear and tear.
As a proud pet parent, you want the best for your pet, and that means shopping right for their needs. The problem is that when you walk into the pet aisle you’re assaulted with options and most of them aren’t right for your older furry friend. You’re left with one question “What should I look for when choosing dog treats for my senior dog?”. Here are a few things that will help you make the best decisions for your older dog.
Often the signs are subtle, but it’s time to slow down and see if your dog is ready to settle down for the long haul. You might not even know the signs are there. As you’re working through it, you need a nutrition that will help your dog stay healthy and happy. Look for:
• More fiber – As your dog ages, their digestion starts to slow down and it’s easier for them to be constipated. Feeding them food rich in fiber will help keep their digestion regulated and keep things moving along. It also helps with weight control.
• A good protein-to-fat ratio – When your dog gets older, their metabolism slows down. A moderate amount of fat is OK but not too much. Make sure the dog treat you choose contains a good protein to help them maintain their muscle mass. For our older friends, it’s about giving them enough protein to keep their energy up but not so much that they gain weight. You want to find a balance that will help keep their weight in check and their muscles strong.
• Supplements to support joint health – As your dog gets older, their joints become less flexible and they start to feel the pain. Feeding them pet treats with natural Glucosamine will help keep their joints lubricated and help with mobility.
• Protein to keep their teeth healthy – Aging dogs need the right kind of protein and other nutrients to keep their gums and teeth healthy. Remember, their gums are going to start receding, and that makes them more susceptible to infections. You need to make sure that they get the right nutrition to keep their gums and teeth healthy.
You and your dog are partners for the long haul. Your dog has been by your side through the ups and downs and has been there for you. You want to make sure you give them the best care and nutrition to help them be the best they can be. You want to give them the best care and nutrition to make sure that you’re able to spend lots of quality time with them.
Related Post: Discover the Top Non-Allergenic Dog Treats: Keep Your Furry Friend Happy and HealthyAs your dog ages, they need a nutrition that will help them stay healthy and happy. Look for a dog treat that has the right protein-to-fat ratio to keep their muscles
How to Choose the Right Dog Food For Your Senior Dog
Your Best Friend ages, he may develop certain health problems and dietary needs that require a change in his diet. When dogs age, they should have a protein-rich, higher-calorie diet to keep them healthy and active. There are some specific things to look for in senior dog food.
1. Choose Foods that Are Specific to Elderly Dogs
While there’s no single food that’s the best for every senior dog, most will benefit from lower amounts of protein and higher amounts of calories. This is something that will be unique to your pet. You should also look for foods that are lower in fat and higher in fiber, as well as a good balance of vitamins and minerals.
2. Feed Your Dog Often
It’s important to feed your dog often, to keep his metabolism up. It will also give him something to do, which will keep his mind and body active. Your dog will probably start to slow down fairly quickly as he ages, and reducing his calories will help him to not lose too much weight.
3. Consider a Lower-Calorie Diet
You should consider switching to a lower-calorie diet when your dog starts to become less active as he ages. This is because your dog’s metabolism will slow down as he ages, making it harder to burn calories.
4. Choose a Senior Dog Food for Older Dogs
Senior dog food is formulated to be lower in calories, but still have enough protein to help your dog stay healthy. Senior dog food usually contains more fiber, which is good for your dog’s digestion, and is usually low in fat, which will help your dog’s weight stay steady.
Recommended Article: Are Dog Treats Bad For Dogs
How to Transition Your Senior Dog to a New Diet
It can be tricky to transition an older dog to a new diet, but it’s not impossible. It just requires patience, preparation, and plenty of treats! These 7 steps will tell you how to help your senior dog adjust to a new diet.
1. Understand the Benefits of a Senior Dog Diet
Many senior dog diets are made with lower calories to prevent weight gain, contain more fiber for digestion, and include additional joint support for the health of their hips, joints, and cartilage.
2. Get Up to Speed on Dog Nutrition
Older dogs need specific nutritional requirements to stay healthy, feel good, and live longer. Understanding the best nutrients and vitamins for mature dogs lets you read the label and choose the best food for your dog.
3. Make the Switch Gradually
Transition your senior dog’s food gradually over 7-10 days to avoid digestive upset or tummy troubles. Slowly mix in more of the new diet each day while decreasing the amount of the old diet. Watch for the first few days to make sure your dog’s stool is normal.
4. Encourage with Treats
Since your dog will be getting plenty of the new diet mixed in with the old diet at the beginning, hold off on feeding too many treats. Instead, keep them handy for later — like when you need to distract your dog from the delivery guy and doorbell — so you can reinforce good behavior as you start the transition.
5. Watch for Signs of Allergies
Some dogs react to a new diet in the same way they react to pollen in the spring, with a runny nose or itchy eyes. If your dog is sneezing or having diarrhea, it could be a sign of a food allergy or intolerance. Stop the diet immediately and call your veterinarian if you notice any severe reactions.
