by Pat Merewether

Created on: November 18, 2008   Last Updated: August 10, 2010

As a dog's body ages, digestion sometimes becomes more difficult.  Pet owners don't always notice that something is going wrong as early as they should.  Here are some suggestions to help you make certain that your sweet friend remains healthy well into old age.

Take note of their stools.  This is not a pleasant task, but just as in people, the color, texture and shape of a poo will give you a hint as to what's going on inside your pet's digestive tract.  The poo should be tan to medium brown, a nice firm cilindar shape, and not smell any worse than it has all along.  A runny stool or hard little balls indicate a problem.  I know this is a real 'eeewww' task, but it's an important part of being a good pet lover.  If your dog's poo  seems unhealthy for more than a few days, take a sample to your vet for analysis.

Research your dog's breed and learn as much as you can about their nutritional needs. Some breeds, like Bouvier's de Flanders, have very finicky digestive tracts that only become more finicky as they age. Other breeds may have food allergies that become more prominent as they get older.

It's best to feed dogs two times a day. This makes them happier, as most dogs love to eat, but it also is better for their digestion. We probably wouldn't feel well if we were given only one huge meal a day, and the same is true with dogs. 

We feed our dogs raw meat and vegetables as well as cottage cheese and a wee bit of olive oil and a touch of honey once in a while.  Our vet initially wasn't happy with our choice, but he agrees that our dogs among are the healthiest old pets he sees.  We give them raw chicken legs and chewing the RAW bones keeps their teeth very clean and they never need a professional cleaning.  This is a personal choice we made and the subject of 'people food' for dogs is still being hotly debated.  So research the topic before making any extreme changes in your dog's diet.

If you feed your dog commercial food, check the ingredients and make sure it has a high protein and nutritional value and not a lot of fillers and cereals. Older dogs need all the nutrition they can get to help them feel and be well during their old age. There are sites online that continually monitor the various brands of dog food and make lists available of the best choices. These lists change from time to time, so check them every few months. What was the best dog food one month may not stay on top. And of course

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