Same as humans, a dog’s ability of hearing, sight, mobility, skin condition, appetite and energy levels, ill decrease or worsen in age.
When your dog is getting older and slower, there are a few things you may worry about, such as weight gain, joint pain, and loss of interest in food. When your pet ages, its eating habit and dietary needs can change.
At what age is a dog considered senior? Well, the different breeds and body weights result in different answers. Usually giant breeds have a shorter life expectancy being 7-9 years old, medium and large breeds are seniors at 7 but have a life expectancy of 10-14, and smaller dogs are known to live longer than the rest, approximately 14+ years old.
Experts suggest that lower-calorie diets help prevent obesity in dogs, and higher-fiber diets are to improve gastrointestinal health. Because a dog’s energy requirement get lower the older they are (usually), giving the suitable food for the different stages will better the dog’s health.
Another tip for senior dogs is giving the right snacks, such as low-fat, low-sodium treats. Giving some vegetables instead of bones and milk biscuits are great alternatives, try raw broccoli or carrots. The expert states that most dogs like carrots and apple slices.
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