Special Needs of Dogs 7+ As in humans, a dog's body and daily activity levels change with age. Even though your dog may still perform at the same outstanding level, once they reach seven years of age they officially enter the senior life stage. Senior dogs have a greater risk of developing health problems, as their metabolism is slower and kidneys are less active. On a whole, your dog will be less active than before so their skeletal system may partially decalcify, hearing and visual problems can originate and the skin becomes less elastic.

All the changes mean that their nutritional needs start to change too. Senior dogs typically require fewer calories from fat, yet protein is still critical for maintaining muscle tissue. A diet that carefully balances high quality protein and other nutrients will help your senior dog maintain their ideal body weight, maximise their ability to stay healthy, promote muscle tone and digestive health and keep them active throughout later years in life.

Choosing the Right Food for Your Senior Dog

As dogs get older it’s just as essential that their diet is adapted to suit their needs as it is when they are a kitten. Pets at Home recommend a nutrition centre food that has been specifically formulated to meet these needs. Details of these recommended foods can me found in our Nutrition Centre.