There are multiple changes that occur during a dog's old age, both physiologically and behaviorally. However, these are changes that are normal but can be minimized in order to maintain the dog's quality of life as much as possible.
For this purpose, the vitamins for elderly dogs can be of great help to us: products generally of totally natural origin that relieve the pains either activate the dog offering him an extra vitality.
In this article on our site we are going to help you with some tips so you can discover if your dog needs such supplements and if so, which ones are available on the market?
Food is key to the he alth of an elderly dog
As a dog approaches old age, changes in its diet should be gradually introduced.
The most recommended thing is to choose a good quality feed specifically for elderly dogs, a Senior feed. This change is of great importance since an older dog needs an extraordinary amount of some nutrients, such as proteins, which strengthen its muscle mass, but it also needs to control its weight, as being overweight or obese can be fatal for an older dog.
Supplementation with vitamins or other nutrients should be done whenever the diet is adequate, since these products should not be used as substitutes for a balanced and completely necessary diet for your dog.
Does my dog need vitamins?
The most appropriate thing is that you do not make the decision to supplement your dog's food alone, the veterinarian is the most appropriate person to assess the he alth status of your pet and consider the use of one of these products.
Keep in mind that less physical activity, changes in your dog's coat and a state of increased tiredness are common symptoms of the older dogthat do not have to indicate an extraordinary need for some nutrients.
If your older dog suffers from a disease such as osteoarthritis, a blood circulation or metabolism problem, it is possible that he could benefit from vitamins and nutritional supplements. If his he alth status, race or age predisposes him to certain diseases, vitamins can be a very usefultool for prevention.
Vitamins for old dogs
There are many vitamins and nutritional supplements that we can find for our old friends, but we can highlight the following:
- Minerals: Products containing minerals such as calcium help maintain bone and prevent wear.
- Vitamin D: This is an essential vitamin for calcium to be properly fixed to the bones, it is very necessary in older dogs.
- Algae: Algae-based supplements contain a multitude of nutrients that help maintain good he alth in our pet.
- Omega 3: Very useful for dogs with metabolism or blood circulation problems.
- Vitamin A: This is an antioxidant vitamin that preserves vision function and prevents night blindness.
As we have already said, it is important that you let your veterinarian advise you so that you can choose the best product for your dog and thus help him to stay in shaperegardless of age.
