How many meals a day does a senior dog need?

As your dog gets older (generally 8+), their dietary requirements will change a bit. Just as for adults, we recommend the two-meal-a-day schedule - ideally one meal in the morning and one in the evening. But you might want to consider reducing your dog’s calorie intake to suit their slightly less energetic pace of life. Older dogs can also benefit from a diet that offers a bit more nutritional support for bones and joints. A daily feeding routine creates reassuring structure in your dog’s day. Whatever else is happening, dogs are generally pretty content if their feeding routine remains reliable. A routine feeding schedule can help to establish a healthy lifestyle, increasing the likelihood of other healthy habits.

Most people feed their dogs twice a day. But instead of facing a couple of fully-loaded bowls a couple of times a day, senior dogs tend to prefer smaller portions, served more frequently throughout the day. Feed your senior dog in a quiet place, somewhere they can eat in peace without any surprises or distractions. The older your dog gets, the more likely they are to suffer from such conditions as arthritis, so you should make things as easy as possible for them. For example, consider feeding them out of a slightly raised bowl to save them from having to strain themselves when reaching down. Senior dogs are less active and have slower metabolisms, their food generally has a lower calorie content. Introduce your dog to the senior dog food gradually, a sudden chance might cause some digestive issues, so begin by adding small portions of senior food to your dog’s bowl, aiming to make a complete shift over a period of 7-10 days.

As senior dogs tend to be less active, and have a slower metabolism, you might notice them putting on a bit of weight as they get older. Senior dog foods typically offer a higher protein content to support muscle mass, and a reduced calorie count to help maintain a healthy weight as your dog's activity level decreases. Remember, treats should only make up a small portion of your dog's overall diet. Mental enrichment is still important for senior dogs but instead of using treats, consider using bits of their daily food ration. As they get on in years, changing to a lower calorie diet can be a good idea. While some health problems can lead to obesity, being overweight can cause health problems too, and put more strain on joints. Because of this, it’s very important to monitor your dog’s body condition regularly.

Many dogs are used to being fed twice a day, but older dogs may prefer to be fed smaller amounts more frequently. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines on the quantity of food to give your dog and remember to weigh it out to avoid giving them too much. Manufacturer’s guidelines are, as the name suggests, just a guide, so keep an eye on your dog’s size and adjust the amount if you need to. Being less active, often due to joint problems, and having a slower metabolism means that it’s much more difficult for them to burn the calories that they gain from food. As your dog gets older, it’s a good idea to switch over to a diet that is lower in calories. Changing how much and how often they’re fed can help them deal with their changing bodies and to enjoy their food more. Watch how much you’re giving them, if your older dog is less energetic and burning fewer calories, then it’s easy to give them too much food for their energy requirements.