Nutritional Needs of Senior Pets
The food your pet eats plays an important part in his or her overall health and well-being. A nutritious, complete and balanced diet is an essential part of an active, healthy lifestyle for any aged dog or cat, but becomes even more significant after age 7.
Nutritional needs may change or fluctuate upon reaching senior status, and it’s important to take this into account when selecting your pet’s diet.
With advancing age, the optimal range for key nutrients becomes narrower, making it easier to tip into dietary deficiencies or excesses. For example, reduced levels of phosphorous and sodium are important to maintain kidney and heart health in older dogs and cats. That’s why it’s important to feed a premium diet such as Hill’s Science Diet Mature Adult range, specially formulated for pets over the age of 7 years.
Nutritional Goals in the older pet are to:
- Maintain ideal body condition and body weight
- Minimise disease risk
- Disease management – reduce signs and/or slow disease progression
- Improve the quality and longevity of life
Dietary requirements of senior pets differ from those of young and middle aged pets. Older animals may be less able to cope with nutrient excesses or deficiencies, or changes in nutrient intake and quality. Therefore, foods for mature dogs and cats should meet daily nutrient allowances strictly and consistently. We can improve the quality, and possibly the length of life of older animals through life-long proper nutritional management.
There is a range of foods available to help reduce and maintain a healthy weight in your pet. If your pet is overweight please feel free to discuss this with any of our vets or staff.
