Nutrition
Just as puppies and canine athletes have special nutritional needs, so do older dogs. Because they're less active, they don't need as many calories to maintain a healthy weight. They do, however, need a high-quality protein food to make up for the digestive system's decreased ability to efficiently metabolize protein.
If your dog is doing well on his regular food, but you want to feed him less because he's gaining weight, add plain canned pumpkin (not the sweetened kind used in pies) to make up the difference. It's low in calories but high in fiber, so he'll feel full, and dogs like the taste.
The best food for an older dog contains about 25 percent protein and has a lower concentration of fat and calories than a regular dog food. Some diets formulated for older dogs — or for dogs that need to lose weight — are high in fiber, which helps reduce caloric density. A dog eating this type of diet will feel full, even though he's not getting as many calories.
Special-Needs Diets
Many health problems can be managed with the aid of a special diet. These include diabetes, epilepsy, inflammatory bowel disease and other digestive disorders, kidney disease, urinary tract problems, and some types of cancer. Some special diets contain ingredients that are believed to promote joint health, which can be beneficial for older dogs. At least one food marketed for older dogs contains antioxidants and other nutrients that may help fight the signs of brain aging or age-related behavioral changes. These types of foods are available only by prescription from your veterinarian. If your older dog has a health problem, it can't hurt to ask if a change in diet will help.
Supplements
Most veterinary nutritionists agree that a dog fed a complete and balanced diet doesn't need additional supplements. That's true in most cases, but when it comes to the aging dog, some supplements can be beneficial for certain conditions. For instance, dogs with reduced kidney function might need a B vitamin. The B vitamins are water soluble, meaning they aren't stored in the body. What isn't used is lost in the urine every day, so a dog that's urinating a lot because of kidney disease will need higher amounts of the B vitamins to replace what flows out with the urine. Another common problem of old age in dogs is dry, itchy skin. Adding vitamin E, zinc, or essential fatty acids to the diet may help. Ask your veterinarian if this type of supplementation could be helpful for your older dog.
Appetite Loss
Older dogs often begin to eat less. Their teeth might hurt or their sense of smell — which is linked to the ability to taste — might be reduced. Tartar buildup on teeth can cause pain, so consider taking your dog in for a veterinary cleaning if you notice lots of brown buildup on his teeth. You may be amazed when he starts acting like a puppy again because he's feeling so much better. If tartar buildup isn't the problem, try warming his food in the microwave before serving it. The heat increases the scent, making it easier for him to realize that there's a yummy meal sitting in front of him. (This works for dry food as well as canned.) Don't forget to test the food for hot spots with your finger before serving.
A study conducted over fourteen years concluded that dogs that ate a calorie-restricted diet lived a median 1.8 years longer than the average dog and were slower to develop chronic diseases such as osteoarthritis.
Be concerned if you try these tricks and your dog still doesn't have much of an appetite. He may have a hidden health problem, especially if he's rapidly losing weight. Take him to the veterinarian for a checkup.
Weight Gain or Loss
It's important to pay attention any time your dog suddenly starts gaining or losing weight. These can both be signs of an underlying health problem. Don't forget that what seems like a minor weight loss to you — say, a pound or two — is pretty significant for a small breed. That could be as much as 10 percent of his body weight.
If your dog is gaining weight, look at the amount of food you're giving him as well as the amount of exercise he gets. It's all too easy to slack off on walking or playing with an older dog, especially if he doesn't seem interested himself. If you're still feeding him the same amount he was getting when he was younger and more active, well, it's no wonder he's putting on weight. Unexplained weight gain can also be related to certain health conditions, such as hypothyroidism.
Unexplained or rapid weight loss can also signal health problems. For instance, if your dog eats ravenously but still loses weight, he may have diabetes. Picking up food and then dropping it can mean that your dog's teeth hurt. Weight loss can also be an early, subtle sign of cancer. Whether your dog is gaining or losing weight, take him to the veterinarian to rule out any health problems.
