How to give an older dog more energy?
Emma Tromp
2025-08-01 05:42:19
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As your dog gets older, you may find them wanting to take things a little slower. Ensuring your dog is getting enough exercise can help give them more energy. If your dog has joint problems then this may be difficult to do, but you can always speak to your vet about the best ways to do this and find possible alternatives, such as hydrotherapy. A diet to support ageing should contain antioxidants, high quality protein, reduced levels of phophorus which isn't needed in such quantity and can help to reduce the burden on the kidneys, and extra joint support for those ageing bones and joints. As your dog gets older, it’s a good idea to switch over to a diet that is lower in calories. Always speak to your vet before changing your dog’s diet. Changing how much and how often they’re fed – Many dogs are used to being fed twice a day, but older dogs may prefer to be fed smaller amounts more frequently. Make it easier for them to eat – Arthritis in senior dogs can make it more difficult for them to bend down to eat their food, so try putting their food in a slightly raised bowl. Give them access to water – an important part of any dog’s diet is access to clean water. Staying well hydrated can help to keep them healthy.
Ernestine Mayer
2025-08-01 04:07:02
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There’s nothing any of us can do to slow down the passage of time for our fur babies. But, there are ways you can make the most of your dog’s senior years. By helping them to stay healthy, active, and stimulated, you can make them feel good no matter how old they are. A twenty-minute walk around your neighborhood every day is perfect for most older dogs. It can improve their heart health and keep their muscles and joints strong without causing them to tire out too quickly or experience any pain. You know your dog best and what exercise level is comfortable and enjoyable for them. Exercising, especially outside, can also stimulate your dog’s mind. Spending time outside and letting your dog sniff and explore is one of the easiest ways to keep them mentally stimulated. You can also ignore the old statement about not being able to teach old dogs new tricks, if your dog is still physically able to move around, you can absolutely teach them some new tricks.
Vitamins C and E can reduce inflammation and help aging dogs with memory problems. Making sure your senior pup gets enough omega-3s will help with things like vision issues, heart disease, brain degeneration, and arthritis/joints. It’s also important for your aging dog to get plenty of antioxidants to boost their immunity and improve their overall health. Things like blueberries and apples are rich in antioxidants and most dogs love them.
Sandra Blick
2025-08-01 01:38:53
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As dog's age, their metabolic rate will slow and this, coupled with decreased activity, results in a lower energy requirement. In older dogs we need to consider this so that we do not overfeed and create overweight or obese dogs - this would be detrimental to health and worsen conditions such as arthritis etc. Higher fat foods will be more calorie-dense - so, as above, if the older dog is tending to put weight on, it can be useful to lower the fat content of their food as well as consider portion size. With a loss of muscle comes weakness and loss of ease of motion - so it’s important to provide adequate high-quality protein to maintain muscle mass as a dog ages. Omega 3 fatty acids have been shown to be beneficial in reducing inflammation and therefore pain. Supplements Glucosamine and Chondroitin also serve as building blocks to help develop and maintain cartilage health and elasticity. Feed a variety of our recipes to keep interest up, warming the food can help too. Bone broth is also great for elderly dogs as their appetite changes.
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