This question is probably primarily for Karen, although I hope others will add their advice. Just asking on behalf of a friend whose vet suggested they put their 11-year-old on senior food. Does it make a difference? What ingredients should we check most carefully?
My experience with “senior” food was not good but it was also nearly 10 years ago, with my old girl Frog. I eventually put her on a homemade diet and this made all the difference in the world as far how she looked and her vitality.
I found that Senior food had more fillers in it, but it’s been over 10 years since I’ve tried it. Wasn’t happy with it and went back to feeding regular food. I guess we will see what our Guru Karen has to say.
It for sure makes a difference, but can you give me a little more info as to what brand or brands that the vet is suggesting or the brand that she has decided on?
Hi!
The vet did not suggest a brand–as far as we can tell, this was just a recommendation made at the annual check-up, based on age. The dog is in good shape, no new problems, everything normal. He has always had some skin allergies, and has been responding well to Wellness Fish and Sweet Potato. In addition to his dog food he gets a lot of human-grade snacks (loves cheese, veggies, fruit, oatmeal), along with glucosamine. With no indication of health problems and no reason given for changing his routine, his human is thinking about not fixing what is not broken.
Oh…..if she could only feed raw
I only throw this out there because the dog must have a big problem for the vet to suggest this. You can adjust a raw fed dog within pounds of what they should weigh! But I completely understand that not everyone can feed this way.
The biggest problem is that most of the so called “weight control” dog foods are full of carbohydrates and not much meat. Dr. Becker has said “Benefits from a reduced protein diet typical of existing canine geriatric products have never been proven, and the possibility exists that a reduced protein diet is not in the best interest of the geriatric patient(2).” Switching to a “senior” diet with reduced or restricted protein levels is not only unwarranted but potentially hazardous to your pet’s health. The average pet does not require the addition of grains to the diet for health. Remember, if your pets do not burn carbohydrates (contained in their kibble), the body stores them as fat. Most commercial foods are grain (carbohydrate) based, thus, a diet of these foods results in carbo-loading.”
Food suggestions for higher protein limited carbohydrates. These three foods can be rotated. BUT WEAN OFF OF CURRENT FOOD SLOWLY.
ORIJEN SENIOR: In the first 13 ingredients there is an abundance of meat/fish protein: Fresh boneless chicken*, chicken meal, fresh boneless salmon*, turkey meal, russet potato, herring meal, sweet potato, peas, pea fiber, fresh boneless turkey*, fresh whole eggs*, fresh chicken liver*, fresh boneless lake whitefish*, fresh boneless walleye.
THE HONEST KITCHEN:
ZEAL 35% Protein, non grain.
PREFERENCE (alfalfa based) to which she would add her own lean meat, raw or slightly boiled.
Other suggestions:
*She should lose 1% to 2% of her body weight per week per Dr. Donna Spector.
*Add a pro-biotic/enzyme product called: “Digest-All Plus” by Holistic Pet Organics. Human Grade.
*It’s critical to ALWAYS measure with a measuring cup. Don’t guess.
*Very limited treats. If she trains and uses food treats the calories need to be taken into account and the amount of feed must be reduced.
*If possible feed 3 or even 4 smaller meals per day, if not, definitely a morning and night feeding.
*No “free feeding”.
*Exercise is essential. If it’s too cold out, consider a treadmill! It will benefit the whole family no matter the cost!
Please have her email me if she needs coaching. I’d be glad to help!
Thank you! Your info confirms what I was suspecting about the content of most “senior” foods. But I must have been unclear: the dog does not have a weight problem at all, so I am not sure why losing weight would be a good idea. The vet did not make any suggestions in that direction.