The 5 Best Senior Dog Food

As pets age, they often become less active and less able to digest the same food they were used to as younger pets. Some senior dogs may develop food sensitivities or are unable to digest protein as they age. It’s important to find food that is both high in quality and tailored to fit your dog’s needs as they age.

Senior dog food is intended to provide dogs with senior nutritional requirements and dietary changes as they age. Senior food comes in both canned and dry forms, although most seniors tend to prefer dry foods because it’s easier to portion out.

In this blog post, we will take a look at the best senior dog food. Read on to figure out which senior dog food is right for your senior pup.

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How to choose the Best Dog Food for Senior dog

Senior food is also packed with beneficial nutrients. Senior dogs tend to have higher levels of cholesterol, so senior dog foods usually contain fewer fats than a diet designed for younger dogs. Senior dog food is also particularly high in antioxidants, vitamins A and E, Omega-3 and 6 fatty acids, as well as essential amino acids like taurine and L-carnitine.

The reason these antioxidant vitamins are so important to senior dogs is that antioxidants help prevent oxidative damage that results from free radicals in the body. Free radicals are highly reactive molecules that can cause damage to cell membranes. Free radicals are often produced as a result of normal metabolism, but the production of free radicals is also one of the things that ageing causes.

Senior dog food is also high in zinc, which is important for healthy immune function and overall health. Zinc is used by the cells as an antioxidant, so zinc helps prevent cellular damage. Antioxidants like zinc help protects the body from free radicals. This is especially important for senior dogs because a dog’s age, their immune systems become weaker and they are more susceptible to disease.

Senior food is high in essential amino acids to support healthy joints. As dogs age, they tend to develop joint pain and arthritis. Essential amino acids are the building blocks of protein in the body, so they promote tissue growth and repair, particularly muscle tissue.

Glucosamine and chondroitin are two types of nutrients found in senior dog foods that promote healthy joint movement. Glucosamine is a compound used by the body to maintain cartilage and promotes the production of collagen, one of the building blocks of cartilage. Chondroitin helps with bone and joint health, which is especially critical for dogs with arthritis or joint pain.

Good senior dog food should also have adequate levels of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 is a type of fatty acid that is important for healthy skin and coat, and it’s also important for brain and heart health. Many senior dog foods also have higher levels of essential amino acids than their younger counterparts. Essential amino acids are very sensitive to change as the dog ages, so a senior dog food that includes these nutrients will be able to meet the needs of ageing dogs.

 

What Age is Considered a Senior Dog?

Senior diets and senior dog food are usually recommended for dogs over the age of 7. The reason for this is that by 7 years of age, most dogs have reached their full size and maturity. It’s a good idea to switch your dog to senior food at around 7 years of age or older.

However, some veterinarians recommend switching earlier if the dog shows signs that they are not as healthy or active as it used to be. It is always a good idea to take veterinarian recommendations for your dog’s best health.

 

The Best Senior Dog Food NZ

 

1. Black Hawk Original Adult Lamb & Rice Dry Dog FoodSenior Dog Food

Black Hawk Original Adult Lamb & Rice Dry Dog Food is good food for dogs because it is made with the freshest vegetables and fruits and contains no artificial preservatives. This food will provide your dog with antioxidants, which can help to guard against the free radicals in their body. It also contains omega fatty acids from emu oil, which helps to maintain skin and coat health. This food also contains high-quality lamb meals and brown rice, making it an excellent source of protein that will give your dog all of the vitamins that it needs for its health.

 

2. Addiction Grain-Free Mega Multi Protein Dry Dog Food

Dry Dog Food

MEGA’s savory medley of premium New Zealand free-range Lamb and Beef is blended with fruits, vegetables and amino acids for maximum nutrition and health. MEGA is also enriched with Glucosamine to support mobility and joint function. It’s rich in antioxidants and phytonutrients to help your dog fight against damage from free radicals and support a healthy and strong immune system. 

 

3. Royal Canin Labrador Retriever Adult Dry Dog Food

Royal Canin

The Royal Canin Labrador Retriever Adult Dry Dog Food brand is designed to meet the nutritional needs of Labradors. It has an adapted calorie content that helps to maintain optimal weight; keeping your pet at a healthy weight throughout its life is very important. The food contains chondroitin and glucosamine to maintain healthy joints and bones, as well as omega 3 and 6 fatty acids which support skin health and coat vitality. The design of the kibble changes based on the needs of Labradors, making it easy for them to digest while reducing their rate of food intake.

 

4. Orijen Original Dry Dog FoodOrijen Original

Orijen Original Dry Dog Food is great because it has 38% richly nourishing protein and 85% quality animal ingredients. This includes fresh meat, which consists of two-thirds of the food. The whole-prey ratios are concentrated sources of nutrients that provide a natural source for nearly every nutrient your dog needs to survive. Orijen pet foods are also nutrient-dense, so your pet will get adequate vitamins, minerals and antioxidants in the food for proper nutrition.

 

5. Ziwi Tripe & Lamb Air-Dried Dog FoodZiwi Tripe

Ziwi Tripe & Lamb Air-Dried Dog Food is a complete and balanced, limited-ingredient formula that includes fresh meat, organs, bones and NZ green mussel for your dog. These ingredients are gently air-dried which removes almost all bacteria. This drying process also preserves the nutrients in all of the ingredients. It includes 96% fresh meat, organs, bones and NZ green mussels for your dog so you are able to feed smaller amounts per day to ensure optimal nutrition for your pup.

 

We hope you enjoyed our blog on how to choose the best senior dog food. Everyone loves their furry friend so much that they want to make sure their dog is getting the best food possible. 

We appreciate your interest in our blog for general information, please consult with your pet specialist for any concerns related to the diet of your pet. If you have questions about the product, please contact the store where the product is listed.