How Your Pet's Nutritional Needs Change With Age

As our pets get older, their nutritional needs begin to change. The food that worked well for your dog or cat when they were younger may not always be the best choice during their senior years.

There is no exact age when a pet becomes a senior. In general, dogs are considered seniors around 7 years of age, although larger breeds may reach their senior years earlier. Cats are considered seniors around 10 years of age.

Older pets may become less active, lose muscle, gain or lose weight, or have changes in their digestion and appetite. Some pets may also develop health problems that need to be considered when choosing their food.

I do not believe that every older pet automatically needs a food labeled “senior.” I look at the individual pet. A healthy 10-year-old dog that is active and maintaining a good weight may have different nutritional needs than another dog the same age that is overweight, losing muscle, or dealing with health problems.

As your pet gets older, it becomes even more important to pay attention to the quality of the food, the amount being fed, and how well your pet is doing on the diet. Age is important, but it is only one part of deciding what to feed your senior pet.

Common Health Concerns That Emerge in Senior Pets

As pets get older, it is common for new health problems to appear. Some develop slowly, so changes may be easy to overlook or simply blamed on aging.

Some of the more common problems I see in senior pets include:

• Arthritis and joint stiffness 
• Weight gain or weight loss 
• Muscle loss 
• Digestive problems 
• Kidney or liver problems 
• Diabetes 
• Thyroid problems 
• Dental problems 
• Changes in appetite 
• Skin and coat problems 
• Cognitive decline

I believe it is important to look at more than your pet's age when deciding what to feed. A senior pet with kidney problems may need a different diet than a senior pet that is overweight or losing muscle.

Regular veterinary exams and blood work are also important during the senior years. Catching problems early gives you a better chance to adjust your pet's diet and nutritional program before a problem becomes more serious.

Signs Your Senior Pet's Diet May Need Adjusting

As your pet gets older, pay attention to changes that may tell you the current diet is no longer working as well as it once did.

Signs to watch for include:

• Gaining or losing weight 
• Loss of muscle 
• Changes in appetite 
• Difficulty chewing food 
• Constipation or diarrhea 
• Increased gas or digestive upset 
• Drinking more water than usual 
• Less energy 
• Dry skin or a dull coat 
• Becoming more finicky about food 

Do not assume these changes are simply a normal part of getting older. If you notice something different, have your veterinarian rule out an underlying health problem.

Sometimes the diet just needs a few changes. Other times, a completely different food or homemade diet may be a better choice. The important thing is to feed the senior pet you have today, rather than continuing to feed the same way simply because it worked in the past.

Building a Senior-Friendly Diet

There is no single diet that is right for every senior pet. Some older pets do very well on high-quality dry or canned food, while others may do better with a homemade or raw diet.

I recommend a food made with high-quality protein and as few fillers, artificial preservatives, colors, and flavors as possible. Read my article, “How to Read a Pet Food Label,” for more information on choosing a high-quality food.

The amount of food may also need to change. A senior pet that is less active may need fewer calories, while a pet that is losing weight or muscle may need more food or a different type of diet.

I often recommend feeding senior pets several smaller meals throughout the day rather than one large meal. This may be easier on digestion and can be helpful for older pets that no longer eat as much at one time.

Maintaining a healthy weight, good muscle tone, normal stools, a healthy coat, and a good appetite are all signs that the diet is working well.

Supplements to Discuss for Senior Pets

As pets get older, supplements can be helpful, but I do not recommend adding a lot of supplements just because your pet is a senior.

The supplements I recommend depend on your pet's diet, age, health history, medications, blood work, and any health problems. Some senior pets may benefit from:

• Omega-3 fatty acids for the skin, coat, joints, and overall health 
• Glucosamine and chondroitin for joint support 
• Probiotics for digestive health 
• Digestive enzymes to help with digestion 
• An all-around vitamin and mineral supplement when needed

More supplements are not always better. Giving several products at the same time can provide too much of certain nutrients or ingredients your pet may not need.

An Individualized Approach for the Senior Years

Every senior pet is different. Nutritional needs can change with age or when a new health problem develops. That is why I look at your pet's diet, weight, activity level, health history, medications, blood work, and any changes you have noticed before deciding what food or supplements may be appropriate. During a consultation, I will use all of this information to develop a nutritional and holistic program based on your pet's individual needs.

If you would like help deciding what to feed your senior dog or cat and which supplements may be beneficial, contact For Pet Health to schedule a consultation.