by Betty Carew

Created on: November 08, 2009   Last Updated: November 09, 2009

When a dog starts to age it is much the same process that humans go through. This makes it very easy for us to relate to our pet as age takes the place of the young dog that seemed to have more energy than possible. Like humans a dogs digestive system get a little more touchy as he gets older so we have to keep in mind that as they age we should change their diet to accommodate them. Here are a few suggestions on how to feed an elderly dog.

Nutrition is more important to your dog than ever. You will have to change their diet to make them as comfortable as they can be. This can be done by placing them on homemade meals. Choose from cuts of meat that have medium fat or chunks of meat that are more towards the lean side. Make sure he is getting enough food to keep his weight steady. Your dog should be weighed more often to confirm this. Your dog needs food that he can digest easily at this stage. Chicken and fish can supply the nutrition your dog needs as well as make it easy on their digestive system.

To ensure your dog is getting the proper amount of protein. To achieve this you can experiment with different foods such as lamb, chicken or beef all served with rice. Protein also comes in a serving of cooked eggs. There are many combinations you can use to make sure your dog is getting the proper protein. Just go easy on any salt or spices when you're mixing the food. We may want added flavor to our meals but dogs do not need this to enjoy a dinner.

Your dog will also need additional vitamins at this stage in his life. He needs the vitamins to support his bones and keep them strong. Cod liver oil is another wonderful supplement that can help your elderly dog stay healthy. Vitamin B is essential but before giving your dog extra vitamins you should discuss this with your doctor.

If your dog is off his food and not eating as much as he should you should check his mouth. Dogs teeth deteriorate over time and this can be a reason why he is not eating. If you have been brushing your dog's teeth regularly you may not find a big problem but it is worth it to check just to be sure is mouth and teeth are healthy.

If you find that your dog does have a tooth problem you may want to feed him wet food but this may not be what is best for him at the moment. If you find that he is having a real problem chewing try to alternate between wet and dry food but make sure he is getting more dry food that soft. Dry food does have some qualities that add to your dog's health such as getting rid of some of the tartar that can be found on their teeth.

Your dog has been with you for many years and you want the last years of his life to be lived as easy as possible. This can be done with careful attention to his diet. I once watched an old farmer lie on the floor in his home with his old companion and hand feed him to get him to eat. It's a sight I will never forget. That dog lived past 20. This could be attributed to the love the farmer had to his faithful friend and companion or it could have been the time he took in making sure what he fed him was just the right diet to feed an elderly dog.

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