Trying to decide which dog food brand is best for your elderly canine companion? Small dogs, with life spans of 15 to 20 years, are considered older by the age of 9. Larger dogs, with a lifespan of 12 to 15 years, are considered older around 6 years of age. Senior dogs generally need to eat lower-calorie diets to ward off obesity, as well as diets higher in fiber to improve their gastrointestinal health. Senior dogs require diets that are higher in proteins in order to delay muscle loss. Treats for senior dogs should be low-fat, healthy, low-sodium treats, including apple slices and carrots. Make sure that they drink plenty of water. For a senior dog's main diet, the three best senior dog food brands that will be discussed here are Holistic Select Senior Health, Evo Herring and Salmon Formula. and Orijen Senior Dog Food. Read on for answers to your questions about these top-rated senior dog food brands.
Holistic Select Senior Health dog food contains glucosamine, which has been demonstrated to ease joint pain in humans for mild to medium knee osteoarthritis. Veterinary doctors conducted 16 clinical trials studying osteoarthritis treatment for dogs, and reported their findings in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association in 2007. It was determined that glucosamine provided moderate levels of relief for some dogs, equal to a number of prescription drugs. Many senior dog food reviews give high ratings to this brand of food for older dogs.
Cottage cheese, when compared to other dairy products, has 70% less lactose, while at the same time is high in protein. Be sure to monitor the dog's reaction to cottage cheese, to make certain that the pet isn't lactose intolerant. Evo Herring and Salmon Formula contains cottage cheese, as well as inulin rich chicory root, which is a probiotic natural source of fiber, that is utilized to encourage the creation of healthy bacteria inside a dog's digestive tract.
According to senior dog food ratings, Orijen Senior Dog food is made up of 85 percent premium animal products (this product uses infusions of freeze-dried chicken and turkey liver to provide delicious natural flavor). The other 15 percent of the food contains a mixture of fresh fruits, vegetables, and botanicals.
Holistic Select Senior Health is formulated with a senior dog's digestive system in mind. It contains probiotics, digestive enzymes, and healthy fiber, mixed with a variety of other top quality, natural ingredients. This mixture ensures absorption and utilization of crucial nutrients all through the dog's body. This food also takes into account the fact that a dog's stomach contains much more acid than a human's stomach, which allows it to thoroughly digest small bits of bone.
Chelated minerals, also known as organic trace minerals, are thought to improve animal health and mineral availability. Chelated minerals are minerals in digestible forms when can be 3 to 10 times more easily absorbed by your dog's body. Evo Herring and Salmon Formula is rich in chelated minerals which are added chemically to the protein.
Natural whole chicory root is a prebiotic which aids healthy digestion by feeding the helpful bacteria found in a dog's intestinal tract necessary to keep dogs in good health. Chicory roots aid digestion, increase the absorption of nutrients, and supports the immune systems of senior dogs.
Senior dog foods with lower sodium and lower calories, and higher fiber foods are necessary for older dogs with health problems.
Many senior dogs develop problems with constipation as they age. A dog food rich with fiber will help the older dogs to stay regular.