Senior dogs have specific nutritional requirements that differ from adult dogs, with appropriate diet significantly influencing their health, comfort and quality of life in later years.
Senior dog nutrition is a welfare-relevant healthcare decision that receives less attention than it deserves. Age-related metabolic changes alter requirements in ways that standard adult formulations do not meet. Obesity in senior dogs worsens joint pain that is already prevalent from osteoarthritis; insufficient protein contributes to muscle wasting that reduces mobility. Working with a veterinarian to develop a senior nutrition plan tailored to an individual dog's health status — kidney function, weight, joint health, dental condition — provides welfare benefits that generic senior food labels cannot guarantee.