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No, our entire grain free wet dog food range can be fed to dogs as a topper to any of our dry foods or as a complete meal on its own. Does Skinner’s use mixed protiens in their recipes? Dr. Julie Churchill is a board-certified nutritionist, a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine-Nutrition, and a professor of nutrition at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. After completing veterinary training at Michigan State University, Churchill pursued Internal Medicine and Nutrition residencies and earned her Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota. Her interests include seeing patients in the clinic, mentoring students, and finding more effective ways to teach nutrition and facilitate the integration of nutrition into the care of all patients by healthcare teams. AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement for adult maintenance or all life stages: The AAFCO is a nonprofit organization that recommends nutritional profiles based on an animal's life stage. They don't approve pet foods or establish specific standards for senior dog foods. However, choosing a senior food formulated for adult maintenance or all life stages ensures the recipe fulfills the recommended protein, fat, and nutrient requirements of adult dogs. The best dog foods for senior pups will also contain beneficial extras such as glucosamine and chondroitin to support joint health and have fewer calories per serving than adult dog foods. Luisana says the age at which dogs are considered seniors can vary based on breed size. Smaller dogs may not reach senior status until age 10 or 11 since they generally have longer life spans than other pups. Feeding-trial tested versus formulated foods: The best senior dog foods have been formulated — and in some cases, feeding-trial tested — to meet the AAFCO's nutritional standards for adult maintenance or all life stages. If your dog's food has an AAFCO label, you'll know the recipe fulfills the recommended protein, fat, and nutrient requirements for adult dogs. A label indicating feeding trials confirms the food's safety and palatability based on testing with a group of dogs.
Senior dogs who have multiple tooth extractions or dental disease may also benefit from a soft food diet such as canned or fresh food, says Dr. Emily Luisana, a veterinary nutritionist at Friendship Hospital for Animals in Washington, DC. Our experts say the following criteria are important to consider when shopping for senior dog food:While the 'mixing bowl' composition is useful for knowing what went into the food, it doesn't always reflect what your dog is actually eating. This is because the processes that turn the ingredients into the finished pet food can significantly alter the relative weights of the ingredients. Breed-size formulation: The best food for your senior pup may depend on their size. Our experts say small and large breed seniors have different health risks and may also require different calorie amounts and kibble sizes. Buying food specific to your pup's size helps ensure they get a recipe formulated for their needs. Freeman says some changes occur in older dogs' digestive tracts, such as reduced surface area for nutrient absorption. But generally, he says older dogs can digest foods and absorb their nutrients at nearly the same level as younger pups. Finding a food that your dog enjoys and knowing they will thrive on when they have a sensitive digestive system can be a challenge, but it isn’t impossible. Our wet food range has been formulated with the nutritional requirements of working dogs and dietary sensitivities in mind. We've also had the chance to get input from our dogs by feeding them many different brands and types of food, some of which we included in this guide.
For this reason we've calculated the approximate 'as fed' percentages for the main ingredient categories in the finished product.
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Some dogs have trouble digesting certain foods or ingredients, which can cause them to have symptoms such as gas, diarrhea, or vomiting. These symptoms likely won't go away with age, so they may need a special senior diet that is gentle on their stomach. Wet dog food has a higher moisture content, typically 75% to 78%, whereas dry dog food contains only about 10% to 12% moisture. This is a perk for pups prone to dehydration or ones with reduced kidney function, which is common in older dogs, says Dr. Mark Freeman, a veterinarian and assistant professor of community practice at Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. Healthy extras: The best senior dog food will contain extra ingredients that support their unique needs. For example, Freeman and Welborn highlight the potential benefits of antioxidants in supporting healthy aging. Welborn suggests a diet rich in antioxidants, such as Purina Bright Minds, if your dog experiences cognitive dysfunction. Other healthy extras for seniors include joint-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, glucosamine, and chondroitin. Feeding large breed dogs food specifically formulated for their size is crucial to reduce the risk of orthopedic issues. These problems can arise as early as puppyhood and become even more prevalent in their senior years. That's why Luisana recommends senior pup parents take a proactive approach and monitor dogs for early signs of joint and bone diseases. While some changes in behavior, like decreased activity, may be attributed to aging, Luisana says not to overlook the possibility of underlying orthopedic issues such as arthritis.
Instead of solely relying on the ingredient list to evaluate food quality, Luisana suggests considering other factors. For example, most quality brands will employ veterinary nutritional experts, provide ingredient tracing, maintain quality control measures, and contribute to research efforts. According to our experts, dogs are considered seniors at different ages based on their breed size. Giant breeds may be considered seniors as early as 5 years old, while toy breeds may reach their senior years closer to age 10. It's not unhealthy for an older dog to switch to a senior diet based on age. However, Freeman recommends taking your dog's overall health into account. Senior dogs in good health may not need a senior diet. Does senior dog food make a difference? The best senior dog food provides tailored nutrition for aging pups. Your pup may benefit from foods for older dogs if they show signs of aging, such as decreased mobility, muscle loss, or cognitive decline. These foods often include beneficial additions like glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health, antioxidants to counter the effects of aging, and extra omega fatty acids to reduce inflammation. Guaranteed analysis: Rather than fixating on dog food ingredient lists, our experts say to examine the guaranteed analysis of important nutrients, including protein, fat, fiber, and other essential vitamins and minerals. Adult dog food must have a minimum of 18% protein and 5.5% fat to fulfill a dog's nutritional needs. As the AAFCO doesn't set specific standards for senior dog foods, the guaranteed analysis of these foods can vary significantly between recipes. Before selecting a food, our experts recommend asking your vet about the best food for your senior pup. Carb-rich ingredients: includes all ingredients derived from grains, pseudo-grains, potatoes and other starchy root vegetables, sweet potato and legumes (except whole peas which are categorised under fruit and veg) except for isolated protein and extracted oils. Also includes fibre supplements.Freeman says it's not unhealthy to transition older dogs to a senior diet based on their age alone. However, a more reliable indicator is overall healthier rather than age. Some dogs remain healthy throughout their senior years, so they may not need or benefit from a senior diet like other dogs might, he says. To select foods for this guide, we spoke with two board-certified veterinary nutritionists and two small animal veterinarians. They helped us understand the unique dietary needs of senior dogs and what makes the best senior dog food.
Giving less food can be a successful approach to weight loss, but there is the risk of not providing adequate nutrition," says Freeman. Alternatively, your veterinarian might suggest a specialized weight-loss diet formulated to meet your dog's nutritional requirements in fewer calories. Our recommendations for the best dog food for weight loss are formulated to keep your pup fuller for longer without sacrificing essential vitamins and nutrients. While you'll find wet food generally contains more fat per serving than dry food, it tends to have fewer calories per serving than kibble, and the water content can be more filling. When it comes to protein, the AAFCO recommends a minimum of 18% for adult dogs, but Luisana says senior dogs experiencing muscle loss may need more, and pups with renal or liver disease may need less. Because the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) doesn't set standards for senior pet foods, the diets can vary significantly, says Dr. Julie Churchill, a veterinary nutritionist and professor of nutrition at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. However, the best dry and wet food for senior dogs will meet the AAFCO nutritional standards for adult maintenance or all life stages. Senior pups also have a lower metabolic rate than younger dogs, so some senior diets may contain fewer calories. Others are higher in calories to meet the needs of older dogs who eat smaller portions. Foods with added protein to help maintain lean muscle may also have more calories. Because dogs age differently and senior dog food diets vary significantly, there's no single best senior dog food. Adult dogs should eat complete and balanced food formulated for adult maintenance or all life stages. The AAFCO doesn't set standards for senior pet foods, so senior dog food recipes can vary significantly. This makes it important to talk to your vet about the most appropriate food for your dog's specific needs. Should older dogs eat senior dog food?
These foods from Hill's, Wellness, and Blue Buffalo are formulated for senior dogs with sensitive stomachs. Contrary to what you may have heard, byproduct meats and meals help make pet foods more affordable, sustainable, and nutritious, Luisana says. That's why many budget foods will contain byproducts — typically organ meat, like liver, says Dr. Nancy Welborn, a veterinarian and associate professor of community practice at Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine. "Meals are cooked meats or bones, ground up. They provide things like calcium, phosphorus, and protein," Welborn says, adding that pet food companies aren't permitted to include inappropriate animal parts in their products. Dr. Emily Luisana is a board-certified nutritionist and practicing clinical veterinary nutritionist at Friendship Hospital for Animals in Washington, DC. Luisana is a graduate of North Carolina State University (NCSU) College of Veterinary Medicine. After several years of general practice, she pursued a clinical nutrition residency at NCSU and a fellowship in clinical nutrition at Blue Pearl Veterinary Specialty Hospital of the Carolinas. Her clinical areas of interest include critical care nutrition, weight loss, homemade diets, and disease-state nutrition. Calorie content: A dog's metabolism typically slows as they age, and many seniors are less active. So, senior dog foods usually contain fewer calories than adult formulations, according to Churchill. Freeman adds that overweight senior dogs are at greater risk of weight-related conditions like arthritis and diabetes. That said, feeding your dog less food could result in a nutritional deficiency. That's why Freeman recommends switching to a low-calorie senior diet or a weight-management diet based on guidance from your vet.