Once a dog reaches the last quarter of his life he achieves the grand old rank of “Senior”. The age differs between breeds roughly along size lines:
| Dog Size | Senior Age |
|---|---|
| Small breeds | 12 years older |
| Medium breeds | 10 years older |
| Large breeds | 9 years older |
| Giant-sized breeds | 7 years older |
Of course this can vary quite a bit depending on your dog's health history and the quality of care he's received throughout his life, but once he is a Senior he definitely needs a change in diet.
Studies have shown that older dogs are hungry for protein. This is due to the fact that their bodies need more protein to keep their muscles strong and their immune system tough enough to fight off infections.
A protein that contains restricted but adequate amounts of high biological-value protein is ideal.
Protein is also a crucial consideration for dogs with renal failure. They need more protein (to increase blood flow and replace proteins lost or not produced by the kidney), but are less able to tolerate any excess protein. This underscores the importance of feeding your Senior dog a carefully balanced diet.
Senior dogs usually have less use for energy-rich tucker as they jump and run around less than younger dogs.
A switch to a “Mature or Senior” dog food such as TUX Active Mature 7+ once your dog reaches the right age will keep him healthy and stop any bloating out from unnecessary energy-rich fats in his food.
