After reading @Beanwood comments on a recent health thread about reducing fat and increasing protein for senior dogs, I was wondering if I should be considering this for Hattie as she is now 10 1/4 years old? She is very fit and healthy on her current food so I haven't given it any thought. She is due her boosters and a health check in January so I will chat with my vet then. Any advice greatly received as always. Thanks xxx
Helen , I think as Hattie is still very active , its not really necessary to change her food, yet ! Some dogs of her age are quite ploddy , in which case yes , reduced exercise can be a good reason to lessen fat and increase protein , but Hattie is far from being a plodder ! xx
Thank you Kate, she is very active and only this morning hoolied and butt tucked round like a puppy with a 3 year old dog who couldn't keep up with her much to the owners amazement I can't believe I refered to Hattie as senior will she ever forgive me! xx
I have only reduced the fat content because Casper only has to look at a biscuit and the weight goes straight on his hips, poor lad! We also have to watch his exercise, he has enough, but we need to preserve his hip joints due to mid HD, he has also been diagnosed with Ankylosing spondylitis (of the lower spine) so with all this in mind, we are careful with his diet. Personally, the commercially advertised senior diets I have seen are poor in quality. We add cooked veggies to his diet to aid digestion, great to keep things regular if you get my drift. He loves cooked carrots and sweet potato, we also add Hermanns tinned veggies (supplementary dog food) to his meals once or twice a week. This is quite a good article on the nutritional needs of older dogs https://pets.webmd.com/dogs/guide/senior-dog-food#2
Poor Casper Thanks for the information Kate, I don't think I need to worry about Hattie just yet, thank goodness x
