Is it time to switch to senior dog food?
How important is it for your aging Frenchies?
In this article, we explain why and when a senior dog diet may be necessary. We also explore the nutritional requirements of aging French Bulldogs.
Read on for this and so much more.
Is Senior Dog Food Necessary For Aging Frenchies?
As Frenchies get older, their dietary needs change. Due to the advancement in age, they become less active, and their metabolism rate decreases.
As a result, they become more prone to weight gain and consequently obesity. Since the energy requirement is lesser, it’s best to give appropriate nutrition to cater to these conditions.
The ideal food at this stage should contain fewer calories, moderate protein & fats, and added vitamins and necessary minerals to help them live a healthy and longer life.
What to look for in senior dog food
While choosing the best food for your dog, look at the following:
Protein and calorie content: As their activity level decreases, their calorie requirement also reduces. You should therefore ensure that the food is low in calories and has moderate proteins.
Adequate fiber: Senior pups are prone to indigestion and constipation. As such, extra fiber is essential for improving digestion. Too much fiber can also cause indigestion.
Antioxidants: This helps protect your Frenchie from free radicals and boost your senior dog’s immune health.
Glucosamine and chondroitin are essential for slowing cartilage deterioration in the joints and reducing pain, improving mobility.
Omega-3 fatty acids: The compounds primarily present in fish and certain plant oils are great for dealing with inflammation and kidney issues.
Low phosphorus and sodium: while phosphorus helps promote kidney health, sodium helps keep your pup’s blood pressure regular.
What is the best diet for senior Frenchies?
Senior Frenchies are prone to health issues like obesity and heart diseases. It’s mostly a result of their reduced activity level and low metabolism.
Therefore, you will need to switch to a senior diet to help control these issues and maintain proper weight.
No one food is best for all dogs. As such, the best food will depend on your Frenchie’s specific needs. Specifically, you need to consider factors like weight and other underlying health conditions of your dog.
The best food is the one that contains the right ingredients to address your dog’s individual dietary needs.
However, generally, the best diet for senior Frenchies should be low in calories, have moderate proteins and fats, and be fiber-rich. You should also enhance it with antioxidants, glucosamine & chondroitin, vitamins, and other essential minerals for better and improved overall health.
Here is the best senior dog food that’s vet recommend.
What is the advantage of senior dog food?
Higher protein amounts
Muscles deteriorate much faster as a dog ages. Senior dog food contains a higher amount of high-quality proteins necessary for building and repairing lean muscles.
Ideal caloric balance
Senior dog food takes into consideration the caloric requirement for aged dogs. It contains an appropriate caloric balance from proteins and fats.
Added nutrients
Senior dogs have issues like arthritis, immobility, kidney failure, among others. That’s why senior dog food contains other nutrients, including glucosamine, chondroitin, Omega fatty acids, etc., which help curb these issues.
Helps in the management of diseases
Some diseases like obesity, dementia, certain cancers, kidney failure, dental and skin problems affect aging dogs.
These diseases can be managed either partially or in entirety through proper nutrition. Senior dog food will help deal with these issues.
How to Feed a Senior Frenchie
Let’s find out.
When should you switch your Frenchie to senior dog food?
The decision on when to make a switch to senior dog food is dependent on various factors. These include body condition, Youhealth issues, stool quality, appetite, and tendencies like weight gain.
If your dog has age-related diseases, making diet modifications will be ideal. If your dog is healthy, in good body condition, and eats a high-quality, nutritionally balanced diet, there’s no need to make a switch.
However, your veterinarian can help you determine if a switch is necessary and guide you on when and how to make the switch based on your dog’s health condition.
Human food for senior dogs
Senior dogs can safely take human food in moderation as too much of it may cause health problems.
However, you should ensure that the food doesn’t contain harmful ingredients like spices, onions, garlic, walnuts, leeks, chives, avocados, etc.., which cause health problems to your Frenchie.
It’s also important to consult your vet before feeding your Frenchie on human food. He will give guidance on the safest foods and how to feed them.
Senior dog diet homemade
Senior dogs can benefit greatly from fresh homemade food. You control what gets in your dog’s bowl; hence you can avoid the ingredients that upset your dog’s stomach.
A homemade diet offers more nutritional value to senior Frenchies as it’s made with fresh ingredients and doesn’t include unnecessary fillers like preservatives and colors.
Due to its fresh, tasty smell, you can use homemade food to entice senior dogs who won’t eat for any reason.
What can I give my senior Frenchie to gain weight?
If your senior Frenchie is underweight, you can give him a diet with higher protein content and more calories until they achieve the desired weight.
You can also increase the food portion slightly. After you gain the ideal weight, reduce food and calories while maintaining a moderate protein level.
What to do when old Frenchie stops eating?
It’s not uncommon for older Frenchies to have reduced appetite. It can be distressing when your canine won’t eat. It can result from various factors such as gastrointestinal upset or other diseases like cancer.
If your dog won’t take his meals, this is what to do:
- The first thing you need to do is diagnose, find out why the refusal to eat, and solve it.
- Ensure you consult a vet to rule out underlying health conditions like cancer, kidney issues, diabetes, or dental problems.
- If your Frenchie has lost his appetite for dry food, make it more appealing by adding hot water chicken soup or mixing it with canned food.
- You can also entice them with homemade food as its extra flavor may attract the dog into eating.
- Microwaving your dog’s food can also help it release the tasty smell that can entice the dog to eat.
- You can also get interactive toys that can motivate your Frenchie if he refuses to eat.
- If none of the above tips work, you can get appetite stimulants as a last resort. The use of medication can only be applied after a veterinarian has ruled out the presence of serious diseases.
What supplements to give senior dogs?
Aging dogs have special nutritional requirements and can benefit from supplements. The most common issues among senior dogs are joint pain and arthritis.
The following supplements may help address some of these issues:
Glucosamine: It’s used as a remedy for arthritis. As dog ages, many processes slow down, and so does glucosamine production in its body.
The reduction in glucosamine will result in more fragile and achy joints causing discomfort for your furry friend. A glucosamine supplement can help remedy these issues.
Chondroitin: This is used together with glucosamine to reduce joint pain and improve mobility in senior dogs. More specifically, chondroitin acts to maintain cartilage flexibility, ensuring that your dog’s joints have sufficient shock absorption.
Omega 3 fatty acids: Omega 3 fats contain DHA and EPA, which help boost heart and kidney health, improving immune system health and depression plus anxiety reduction.
Its also known for reducing inflammation and pain in dogs with arthritis. Further, it’s excellent for improving your fur baby’s skin and coat health.
Multivitamin supplements: Giving multivitamins will help ensure they live a long and happy life. It doesn’t have to exhibit any symptoms for them to have multivitamins.
Here are the best joint supplements for French Bulldogs.
How can I help my older dog with mobility?
To improve the mobility of the aging canine, you can:
Give them enough exercise
Ensure your dog gets enough exercise daily to keep them active. Regular exercise will help reduce muscle loss that comes with age. Taking regular short walks will help keep your dog’s joints flexible and healthy.
Give proper nutrition
Make sure you feed your dog on a balanced diet to prevent obesity which puts them at high risk of developing joint issues. Excess weight puts pressure on joints and bones, further limiting mobility.
Massage
Giving your dog a massage can help relieve stiff neck and soreness and ease the discomfort. Gently and slowly massage around the joints and along the spine will help alleviate some of its pain.
Massaging also releases endorphins that act as pain relievers.
Get mobility aids
Tools like slings, harnesses, strollers, non-slip booties, and toe grips can help improve your dog’s mobility.
What to do when your dog’s back legs stop working?
It is heart-wrenching to see your dog’s back legs give out. Hind leg weakness in dogs can be due to various factors, including injuries and diseases.
The first thing to do is visit your vet to diagnose the root cause of the back leg collapse. The course of action will depend on the severity of the diagnosis.
The possible remedies include light exercises, dietary modification, the use of medicines, and surgery. You can also use mobility aids such as hip hound braces, dog lift harnesses, and rear support wheelchairs to support them.
Senior Dog Diet: FAQs
How many times a day should you feed a senior dog?
Consider feeding your senior dog on a low-calorie diet twice a day. Since a senior dog is less active, its energy requirement is low. Thus give a small amount of food to avoid weight gain.
What are the signs of a Frenchie dying of old age?
Watch out for the following signs
- Severe weight loss
- Lack of interest in everything
- Inability to stand or walk
- Difficulty while breathing or coughing
- Incontinence
- Severe loss of appetite
What to feed an old Frenchie that is losing weight
If your Frenchie is losing weight, feed him more food containing higher protein and calorie amounts till they gain the ideal weight. Reduce the portion and calories after weight gain.
Is it normal for a senior dog to get skinny?
No, it’s not normal. If your old dog starts losing significant weight, whether suddenly and rapidly or even slowly but gradually, it may be an indication of an underlying health issue.
How long can an old dog go without eating?
It depends on the individual dog. However, in general, an old can safely go for up to 5 days without eating as long as it gets enough water and shelter.
Do senior dogs lose their teeth?
No. Random falling of teeth in senior dogs who practice good oral hygiene and regular cleaning of teeth may indicate an underlying health concern like dental disease.
How far should you walk a 10-year-old Frenchie?
A 10-year old Frenchie is considered a senior dog. Therefore, he can walk for up to 3 miles provided it’s not too hot. It also depends on his health.
Should older dogs eat soft food?
If your dog is no longer interested in or has difficulties eating hard foods due to dental problems or lack of appetite, switching to soft food is ideal.
Is it cruel to feed an aging Frenchie once a day?
It depends on your Frenchie’s weight. If your dog is likely to become overweight or obese, feeding them once would be best.
Is boiled chicken good for older Frenchies?
Yes. Older Frenchies can safely eat boiled chicken as long as it’s boneless to avoid the risk of choking. Chicken is a good source of protein and helps build lean muscles.
Final thought
So, is senior dog food necessary for your Frenchies?
As Frenchies age, their dietary requirements change. They become less active and prone to several health conditions, including obesity, heart issues, arthritis, and cancer.
You can address some of these issues with a proper diet.
It’s necessary to ensure your senior dog gets the appropriate calories to keep them going.
If your dog is healthy and feeds on a well-balanced diet, it may not be necessary to switch to senior food.
However, consult your vet on the appropriateness and the ideal time to introduce a new diet for your dog.