Dog Food That Is Easily Digested for Senior Dogs

As their canine companions move into their senior years, pet owners must consider their pets' changing dietary requirements. The needs of older dogs differ in a number of ways from those of younger dogs. In particular, senior dogs are less able to digest and metabolize nutrients. In order to make sure their dogs get adequate nutrition, pet owners must look carefully at the nutrient content of the food as well as its digestibility.

  1. Protein

    • Digestion and metabolism tend to become less efficient as dogs age. Therefore, senior dogs require a diet that is higher in protein to make up for the nutrients lost by their inefficient processing of food . The protein should also take an easily digestible form. In foods that contain large amounts of by-products (such as bone, entrails, cartilage and chicken feet), the protein is actually of little nutritional value. Senior dogs can find these ingredients difficult to process. A high-quality protein without a label like "by-products," "bone meal" or "meat meal" is best.

    Fiber

    • A high fiber content helps senior dogs digest and absorb protein and other nutrients in their food. Fiber can be found in ingredients like flaxseed meal, rice bran, oat bran and beet pulp. Fiber has the added advantages of being generally low in calories while making dogs feel full, two qualities that help guard against obesity.

    Balance

    • Pet owners might find the balance of proper nutrition and weight to be a challenge, especially when combined with digestive issues. Less active senior dogs tend toward obesity, and it can seem counterintuitive to feed a higher-protein food to a less active dog. In feeding a "lite" or "less active" food to a senior dog, owners may unintentionally reduce the digestibility of the food. "Lite" foods contain carbohydrates and by-products that senior dogs may have trouble processing; a dog will feel hungry and actually end up eating more calories than it would on a high-protein diet. The best option for digestibility and weight is a low-carbohydrate diet with a high-quality protein source.

    Additions

    • After finding a low-carbohydrate dog food formula containing a high-quality protein source, an owner can supplement to give a nutritional and digestive boost. One way to do this is to add plain whole milk (not low-fat) yogurt to the food. Adding the yogurt must be done in moderation due to the fat content: a couple of tablespoons will do, depending on the size of the dog. Yogurt has probiotics that add "good" bacteria to a dog's digestive system and help keep things running smoothly. Flaxseed meal can also be mixed into food for a higher fiber content. A winning combination for most senior dogs is a dollop of flaxseed/yogurt mixture on top of their low-carb, high-protein food.