7 Things You Should Add to Your Senior Dog’s Diet

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Watching your dog grow older can be distressing, especially once you notice that they are starting to struggle. However, even though they have gone grey around the edges and are sleepier than they used to be, they are still your loyal companion that you have looked after for many years. Fortunately, there are many things you can do to support their health and wellbeing as they age. To help keep their mind and body as young as possible and support their overall health, you should consider making changes to their diet. There are many supplements and ingredients that could improve the way your dog feels and functions, but research and expert advice are essential before you make any changes to their diet. To help you get familiar with some of the items that could benefit your senior dog during their golden years, here are 7 things you should consider adding to their diet.

High-Quality Ingredients

Research confirms that feeding your dog a fresh, high-quality diet will have a positive effect on their health and wellbeing. Whole-food ingredients can prevent heart disease, improve sleep quality, increase brain function, and leads to a shiny coat. Feeding your elderly dog good food can also have a positive impact on their weight and behaviour. Changing your senior dog’s diet too much can have a negative impact, but adding some high-quality ingredients in their regular food is highly advisable.

Multivitamins

Adding multivitamins to your senior dog’s diet will set them up for a long, healthy, and happy life. Even if your pooch isn’t showing any specific symptoms, the general multivitamin is something that will support many aspects and areas of your pet’s health. However, if your dog has a healthy and balanced high-quality diet and you are considering multivitamins, then you need to make sure they are not getting too much of the same vitamin. You should talk to your vet or a pet nutritionist to confirm this.

Glucosamine and Chondroitin

Glucosamine and chondroitin protect cells that help to maintain the structure of cartilage between the joints. If your dog has stiff joints, then you should look into joint care for dogs. Feeding your dog quality joint supplements that contain glucosamine and chondroitin, such as YuMOVE, can benefit their health and well-being in many ways. YuMOVE joint care for dogs can aid stiff joints, help mobility and support joint structure, which can reduce or prevent pain and stiffness in all breeds and ages.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids can provide many benefits to your aging pup. This supplement can provide some pain relief for dogs with arthritis, as it can reduce inflammation. It is also extremely beneficial to the condition of your dog’s coat and skin. Omega-3 fatty acids can boost the health of your elderly pet’s heart and kidneys, improve the function of their immune system, and may even reduce anxiety and depression. You must make sure that any tablets you purchase are purified, as this removes mercury.

Antioxidants

Antioxidants offer many benefits because they inhibit oxidation. Oxidation is where ‘free radicals’ break down materials, which leads to damage. Antioxidants attack these free radicals and remove them before they can cause any damage to the body. Feeding your senior pet antioxidants will keep all of their organs healthy, protect their eyes, and reduce the risk of cancer. You can add antioxidants into your dog’s diet by mixing them with their food, or purchasing/making them into a healthy treat.

Hormone Supplements

Hormone supplements are usually given to dogs that have been spayed or neutered recently or have a hormonal imbalance. However, an optimum hormone balance is essential for a senior dog. As your dog ages, the endocrine system may start to break down or falter, which can lead to excessive stress, anxiety, and incontinence. Chemicals and other environmental factors can also affect hormone production. Adding hormone supplements to your dog’s diet can help them manage stress and promotes bladder health.

Bladder Control Supplements

As your dog gets older, they may have less control over their bladder. This can lead to accidents in the home. Cleaning up after your dog is never a nice job, especially when it is in the house. Your dog will feel guilty and stressed about these accidents too, even though it wasn’t their fault. Adding a bladder control supplement into your dog’s diet can beneficial to them, as they reinforce the bladder walls, making it easier for them to hold in their pee. Ingredients may vary, but they are usually very natural.

Introducing these items into your dog’s diet should be done slowly over a long period of time. Before making any changes, you should speak to your vet or a pet nutritionist for expert advice. This will ensure that you’re doing the right thing for your elderly pet and that their diet is balanced and healthy.