How to keep your senior dog healthy with grain free dog food diet?

If you are a pet owner, then you know how important to keep your senior dog healthy and to ensure that your beloved companion stays happy and problem free for as long as possible. As the years go by, detecting any problems early on becomes more difficult since your dog’s senses start to fade with age.

This blog post will help you keep an eye out for some of the most common signs of senior dog health issues so that they can be addressed before they become serious or life-threatening.    

Your senior dog may have trouble sleeping or eating, lose their appetite entirely, show signs of pain in their body including their joints and spine, walk stiffly or seem weak when getting up from lying down; these could all be indicators that something is not quite right!

One of the main issues we see in senior dogs is a loss of appetite which generally leads to a lack of energy. As a senior dog owner, you may be looking for new ways to help your ageing pup stay healthy. Moorishly Grain free dog food is a great option that can lead to improved digestion and more energy. We have compiled some tips below on how to feed your senior dog grain free food and what the benefits are! 

While many people find their pets’ vitality decreases as they age, feeding them grain-free foods like Moorishly Senior Dog Food can give them the nutrients they need in their golden years of life! 

Read on below for our top tips on how to provide nutritious food that will keep up with the needs of an older canine companion.

Why choose grain free dog food for a senior dog?

Joint Care for senior dogs

Most dogs live an active life that can often take its toll on their joints, this can lead to arthritis which can cause discomfort. It is estimated that up to 50% of dogs will be affected by arthritis at some point in their lives.

What can lead to joint problems?

Arthritis is usually the source of many joint problems in dogs. Arthritis is defined as the ‘inflammation of the joints’ and usually develops from wear and tear but also from immune disorders, genetic predisposition or injury. Joint problems are more common in older dogs but certain breeds can be more prone to this at an earlier age such as Labradors, German Shepherds, Mastiffs and Great Danes.

How can this affect a dog’s life?

Over time, the smooth layer of protective cartilage begins to wear down which can make the joints become inflamed and painful. This leads to it becoming more difficult to move around without discomfort. Often a dog is more prone to putting on weight if they have arthritis, increased weight adds excess pressure on already unhealthy joints. 

How to Help?

Unfortunately, there is no cure for arthritis but there are a few tips to help keep them comfortable:

Diet

A high quality, balanced diet can help to aid a dog’s overall health. Here at Moorishly Pet our Grain Free Senior and Light recipes contain a joint care pack (glucosamine, chondroitin sulphate and  methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)) which helps to support cartilage within the joints. These recipes also contain Omega 3 supplement which is thought to help reduce inflammation. Our Grain Free Puppy recipes also contain a joint care pack which helps to support cartilage metabolism in growing puppies.

For dogs suffering with joint problems, consider feeding from a raised bowl as this will reduce the need for them to bend down to eat their food.

Healthy Weight & Controlled Exercise

Excess body weight can put unnecessary strain on the joints. Our Moorishly Pet light recipes have feeding guides specifically calculated to help the dog consume fewer calories. Regular, controlled exercise can help keep the joints supple. Try to avoid high impact exercise such as running or jumping.

If the dog is experiencing any signs of discomfort please speak with a Veterinarian.

Is Grain free dog food better for weight loss?

Although some dogs are more prone to putting on weight than others, weight gain is only possible when the number of calories going in is greater than the amount being used by the dog. Therefore, to stop weight gain, or achieve weight loss, your dog has two options: to eat fewer calories or to burn more – or ideally, both.

We offer a range of grain free dog foods specifically designed for lighter diets or for senior dogs who may not be so active as they used to which means keeping weight off can be difficult for them. We also supply feeding guides to help ensure your pet is fed the recommended daily amount.

Can Going Grain Free Help My Dog?

Dogs that suffer from conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, skin diseases, allergies, wind, constipation, diarrhoea, lack of appetite, lack of energy and many chronic health complaints may may be helped by cutting out grains. As it can make your pet feel better and healthier it can also assist with weight loss as they will be more able and willing to run around and  exercise.

There is also a growing amount of research to suggest that dogs with sensitive digestions can do well on a grain free diet. Once your vet has ruled out any medical complaint that requires treatment, following a grain free diet may, over a few weeks, make improvements to your dog’s overall state of health – especially to their digestion.

What is the difference Between Gluten free and Grain free Dog food?

Grain free dog food arrived from the gluten-free trend in human food. Many believe like humans grain can cause allergies for dogs however the evidence for this is small. The difference between gluten-free and grain-free pet foods is that gluten is the protein that is found in specific types of grain, such as wheat, barley and rye.

Gluten free food is free of these proteins but not all grain contain gluten. This means that gluten free dog food may or may not be grain free, while GRAIN FREE DOG FOOD will always be gluten free.

How do I change to Grain Free Dog food?

For a successful diet change, we recommend following the feeding pattern below.

The daily feeding amount should be split into two equal amounts and the proportions of new food increased over the first week as illustrated.

TOP TIPS: For those dogs who do not make eating a priority, here are some additional points:
‍
– Reduce the number of tit-bits given during the introductory period
– If your dog has been used to eating wet food, moisten with warm water.

1. DAY 1-2: 75% Original Diet – 25% New Food
2. DAY 3-4: 50% Original Diet – 50% New Food
3. DAY 5-6: 25% Original Diet – 75% New Food
4. DAY 7: 100% New Food

Below are some general tips for taking care of your senior pup.

Top general tips for taking care of your senior dog

1. Keep your senior dog healthy with the right kind of food to ensure they have subtle joints and stay active
2. Keep your dog’s teeth clean by brushing them regularly 
3. Monitor your dog’s weight and give them the right amount of food to maintain a healthy weight 
4. Make sure your senior dog gets enough exercise, but not too much that would be too strenuous on their aging body 
5. Keep up to date with vet visits and vaccinations
6. Take care of your senior pet by giving them plenty of love, attention, and treats!
7. Give them plenty of fresh water to drink 
8. For dogs suffering with joint problems, consider feeding from a raised bowl as this will reduce the need for them to bend down to eat their food.
9. Provide an area for your dog to sleep where they are away from drafts, traffic noise, or other animals that will disturb them at night 
10. Provide a comfortable bedding surface for sleeping in the winter months (elevate it off the floor)

Frequently asked questions about senior dogs

When is a dog classed as senior?

Small dogs are known to age gracefully. You may have noticed that they seem to remain playful and active for their entire lives, whereas larger breeds often reach maturity much sooner in life. So how can you tell if your dog is entering her golden years?

One way to determine this is by looking at the color of his fur around his muzzle—as a large breed ages earlier than small ones, its hair typically begins turning grey or white as it matures into adulthood. If you notice any other changes in behavior such as loss of appetite or decreased energy levels among others then those would be clear signs too!

Do older dogs need more or less protein?

As they age, dogs need to replace the muscle mass that is wasting away. That’s why senior dog food should be packed with meat-based protein – it won’t strain their kidneys and will keep them at top shape! If your older pup has been diagnosed with kidney disease, make sure you check in with a veterinarian about what kind of diet would work best for their needs. Typically we recommend a minimum of at least 25% protein in a senior dog food at Moorishly Pet we use 26% fresh and 50% total meat in our grain free dog foods.

What causes health issues in senior and older dogs?

The number 1 cause of health issues in senior dogs is obesity. This can cause various diseases and lead to premature death.

Obesity in dogs can cause various issues such as joint pain, arthritis and hip dysplasia. As your dog gets older they are naturally more prone to becoming obese due to changes within their cells and metabolism. Feeding a low calorie food is an effective way for you help lose or maintain weight without feeling hungry all the time while also helping prevent obesity related diseases such as arthritis/hip dysplasia & luxated knee cap that affect many aging dogs!

How much food should I feed my dog?

At Moorishly Pet we supply a feeding guide with every product to ensure you know exactly the right amount to give your pal.

This may vary for each dog so we would always suggest using these guides as a starting point and increasing or reducing the amount subject to your dogs optimum weight.

Why Moorishly Pet dog food to keep your senior dog healthy?

At Moorishly Pet we have a range of dog food recipes to ensure your dog is active, energetic and ready for action whenever you need them. This will help them reduce injuries from exercise and will help replenish muscle stores more completely promoting endurance.

Moorishly Pet Grain Free senior dog food

Moorishly Grain Free dog food for senior and older dogs

We have a delicious and nutritionally complete range of grain-free recipes for dogs and cats at Moorishly Pet. Our foods are free of common allergens and popping with goodness and flavour. This range is ideal for dogs with sensitive digestion or who are on a grain free diets with its sweet potato and potato content. Grain free focuses on digestive health with added omega 3 and a high total meat and fish level.

Moorishly Grain Free Dog Food is a Moorishly Pet product and is part of the The Pet Centre products.

We offer a full range of Grain free Dog and Cat foods which is designed for with a with a selection of the finest freshly prepared and nutritious and highly digestible animal protein sources. It is suitable for those pets with a grain intolerance or sensitivity with its sweet potato and potato content. Grain free focuses on digestive health with added omega 3 and a high total meat and fish level. Inspired by Exmoor

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Credit: Joint Care for Dogs by Matthew Aiken