Guest Jollybug Posted March 23, 2012 Share Posted March 23, 2012 I have a new foster greyhound and he is 11 years old. I was told today that he should be on a senior diet. What is that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest FastDogsOwnMe Posted March 23, 2012 Share Posted March 23, 2012 They make food for senior dogs in many brands. I personally feed all my dogs the same food (not senior) and they range in age from nine months to almost 15 years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest KennelMom Posted March 23, 2012 Share Posted March 23, 2012 We don't feed our seniors any differently - raw or kibble. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jollybug Posted March 23, 2012 Share Posted March 23, 2012 Does the senior dog food have something special in it. I know glucosemine is in some foods Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 2dogs4cats Posted March 23, 2012 Share Posted March 23, 2012 Some brands make a senior diet which is typically lower in protein, which is easier on the kidneys. It's debatable whether a senior diet is needed for a healthy dog. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TwiggysMom Posted March 23, 2012 Share Posted March 23, 2012 Often, senior dog foods are lower calorie to compensate for a senior dog's lower activity level and metabolism. I'm of the general opinion that the age- or size- specific formulas (puppy, large breed, etc.) seem to have lower quality overall (less meat, more grain). This certainly could be to achieve the lower protein goal mentioned by the previous poster. The "senior" formulations may well have glucosamine/chondroitin and possible in larger quantities than the "regular" formulas; but it won't be a therapeutic level, so you would need to supplement with glucosamine/chondroitin separately anyway if you think it would be beneficial to your dog. For a senior dog, I personally would just feed a regular formulation, supplement with gluc/chond, and give a smaller amount of food if the senior was gaining weight. Green beans are a good add-in to increase bulk but not calories of the dog really wants more to eat. (But cook them yourself or use frozen instead of canned to avoid excess salt). Quote Wendy with Twiggy, fosterless while Twiggy's fighting the good fight, and Donnie & Aiden the kitties Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest FastDogsOwnMe Posted March 23, 2012 Share Posted March 23, 2012 Oh, and, thanks for fostering a senior! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remolacha Posted March 24, 2012 Share Posted March 24, 2012 Unnecessary as some one said, a healthy dog shouldn't need to be fed any differently as they age. Now, if they have health issues that are age related, they may need a special diet for that. The glucosamine in "senior" foods isn't enough to make any difference (per my vet). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnF Posted March 24, 2012 Share Posted March 24, 2012 Kudos for fostering an 11 year old. It's one of dog owners' worst nightmares what might happen to their older dog if they can't look after it any longer. People have advised you rightly... the senior brands are largely a marketing product and the supplements in them are seldom actually therapeutic. Just don't continue to feed high protein 'working dog' food. You can add your own Glucosamine/Chondrotin/Green Lipped Mussel. What I found with my last dog when she was very old was that a small tin of sardines (in water) and a real egg once a week helped with skin tone and general mobility. I don't really like feeding jerky or pigs ears etc as you can never be sure they're safe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest sirsmom Posted March 24, 2012 Share Posted March 24, 2012 Some senior foods recently have higher protein and lower fat. The higher protein supposedly helps maintain muscle mass but I really don't understand the lower fat. I would just stay on his usual food unless its too high in protein. Probably 21% to 25% would be good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heartdogs Posted March 24, 2012 Share Posted March 24, 2012 My 2 current 11 yr olds eat the same kibble as the younger girls. At times I do add canned meat or as John said sardines are a big hit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jollybug Posted March 24, 2012 Share Posted March 24, 2012 Thank you so much for the help. Very good advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BrianRke Posted March 24, 2012 Share Posted March 24, 2012 I feed my senior the same food as my 6yo and my 3yo. The only thing I add is the GNC Hip/Joint supplement every morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgeofNE Posted March 24, 2012 Share Posted March 24, 2012 I've never used senior food, and there isn't enough joint supplement in any commercial food to do any good. It won't hurt, but I think it's more of a marketing gimmick than anything else. Quote Susan, Hamish, Mister Bigglesworth and Nikita Stanislav. Missing Ming, George, and Buck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreytNut Posted March 24, 2012 Share Posted March 24, 2012 I have never fed my seniors (either dogs or cats) differently than my younger guys. If necessary I add supplements. Currently my 12 year old girl is eating a high quality kibble with fish oil, same as my 3 year old boy. She is pickier in her old age so I add in stuff like spoonfuls of canned food to entice her to eat. No additional supplementation. I did give her a joint supplement, but since we switched to a grain-free kibble she has been moving easier and I was able to stop that. She's doing great and her coat is soft and shiny. She still does mad zoomies in the yard, too! Quote Kristen with Penguin (L the Penguin) Flying Penske x L Alysana Costarring The Fabulous Felines: Squeak, Merlin, Bailey & Mystic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest WhiteWave Posted March 25, 2012 Share Posted March 25, 2012 I feed my seniors same as others, but I tend to give them more add ins as they don't like just dry kibble. Linus loved homemade mac and cheese w/ chicken breast the last few years of his life (lived to almost 15). It helped keep weight on him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beledi Posted March 26, 2012 Share Posted March 26, 2012 Often, senior dog foods are lower calorie to compensate for a senior dog's lower activity level and metabolism. I'm of the general opinion that the age- or size- specific formulas (puppy, large breed, etc.) seem to have lower quality overall (less meat, more grain). This certainly could be to achieve the lower protein goal mentioned by the previous poster. The "senior" formulations may well have glucosamine/chondroitin and possible in larger quantities than the "regular" formulas; but it won't be a therapeutic level, so you would need to supplement with glucosamine/chondroitin separately anyway if you think it would be beneficial to your dog. For a senior dog, I personally would just feed a regular formulation, supplement with gluc/chond, and give a smaller amount of food if the senior was gaining weight. Green beans are a good add-in to increase bulk but not calories of the dog really wants more to eat. (But cook them yourself or use frozen instead of canned to avoid excess salt). You also can by unsalted green beans. Quote "Then God sent the Greyhound to live among man and remember. And when the day comes God will call the Greyhound to give Testament, and God will pass judgment on man." Persian Proverb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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