How to Select Supplements for Your Aging Dog
Today, dogs live longer lives than they did in the past, which means they need special care during their senior years to ensure they're comfortable and healthy. Dogs are considered seniors when they've reached 75% of the expected lifespan for their breed or around age 7 or 8. Your vet is likely to recommend some kind of supplement to target the changing nutritional needs of your aging dog. Even if you're feeding them food tailored to their needs, there may be benefits from giving your pet a supplement for joint health, inflammation, or other common issues.
Joint Supplements
The majority of senior dogs develop arthritis or other joint problems at some point in their lives. Using a joint supplement as soon as your dog reaches middle age can help them stay limber and healthy for years to come. Your vet may recommend a number of different supplements for this purpose, including products made from the green-lipped mussel. This shellfish supplies a lot of glucosamine and chondroitin, which are two components of healthy cartilage. Studies have shown that most dogs respond well to this kind of supplementation, especially if paired with exercise routines that encourage your older dog to stay active and build muscle.
Cognitive Function
It's not always easy to tell a dog's memory or attention span is fading until they're barking at family members and confused by the usual routine. There are a number of vitamins that may stimulate your dog's memory and focus, including the entire Vitamin B complex. Vitamin C and E also receive a lot of recommendations from vets for cognitive support. Dogs that enjoy eating blueberries and apples may be able to get these vitamins directly, but most will need supplementation instead. Even the Omega-3 fatty acids often recommended for coat and joint health contribute to stronger cognitive function in some dogs.
Obesity Control
For some older pets, lack of appetite doesn't become an issue. Instead, they keep eating plenty while exercising far less than they did as younger dogs. This leads to obesity, which puts further strain on the organs and joints. Rather than supplements, most vets will recommend you manage this issue with lower-calorie food and restricted servings. They may also avoid supplements that could stimulate the appetite and lead to more weight gain. As with joint health, senior-friendly exercise routines play a big role in keeping your older dog from gaining unhealthy weight.
Appetite Stimulants
The same B vitamins prescribed for supporting cognitive function may also stimulate appetite in older dogs. This can prevent muscle wasting, which is common in pets that just don't have a lot of energy anymore. Once your dog slows down, it starts losing valuable muscle tissue and then experiences more joint pain and inflammation. Stimulating their appetite with stronger scented foods and tasty additives may also form part of the vet's recommendations.
Coat Supplements
Omega-3 fatty acids, such as those found in fish oil, are often recommended for both cognitive and joint health in dogs. Yet the acids also work wonders for aging coats that are becoming thin, brittle, and damaged. Restoring the appearance of your dog's coat might be less of a priority than their joint or memory health, but it's still a worthwhile endeavor. You may need to switch to higher-quality food as well to see changes in coat and nail health.
Learn More About Senior Dog Supplements in Allen, TX
Bring your senior dog to see the
vet here at Country Creek Animal Hospital for recommendations tailored to their breed, condition, and lifestyle. We can help you find the vitamins, amino acids, and other supplements that help them stay comfortable during the golden years of life.
Contact us today at (972) 649-6777!
