Should I Give Adult Dog Food to My Senior Dog?

This is a decision you and your vet have to make. If a senior dog is active, is not having gastrointestinal problems, or is healthy with the current adult dog food, the answer should be yes. Some dogs stay active and can stay on an adult food longer than others. Watch for diarrhea and other problems with their feces. It's not pretty but your dog's waste can be a good indicator of their general health. Look for blood, loose stools, or signs of constipation.

If you see any of these problems or something that just does not look right, contact you vet immediately and make an appointment. It is better to be safe than sorry. Any waste change in a senior dog can mean more than with a younger canine.

Also make sure if you bring a young puppy into the house, you do not let your senior dog get into the puppy food. Puppy food is higher in protein and fats and will interact with your senior dog poorly. If this happens be ready for diarrhea and your dog is sure to gain weight. Extra weight on your dog will cause them have hip and joint problems and overall bad health.

You might want to feed your puppy separately and keep the puppy food up when your senior dog is around. It doesn't sound fair, but the senior dog's health is more at risk than your new puppy. Also keep cat food away from your senior dog. It has more sodium which can cause your senior dog to gain water weight which will in turn cause hip and joint problems.

Don Rainwater has written many articles and books about the care of older dogs. If you wish to learn more about raising a senior canine or to view products especially designed for the older dog, visit http://seniorcanines.com