Senior Dog food

I wouldnt know for sure what age, but I would think by 7 or 8 I would start feeding senior, but I could be very wrong. I am sure others will comment though 

However, I have been feeding Marley (who is 2.5) crushed glucosamine pills in his food ever since he was 2 for his joints.  

My dog is 9 now, and I started to switch him over sometime last year. He isn't usually picky about what he eats, but he was definitely not crazy about his new diet. Someone suggested trying a food with turkey in it since that's what was in his old food. I never thought of that because I had never had this issue before. I figured it was worth a shot. Sure enough, once I switched to a food with turkey instead of chicken, he was happy. I was worried for a bit there since turning his nose up to food was a new phenomenon for me.

Depending on the breed, most dogs tend to hit senior status around 7 or 8, sometimes earlier for large breed dogs. I don't believe there is a hard and fast rule for switching dogs to a senior diet, but if people are ever concerned, they should consult their vet.

Here's some more information on what to expect with senior dogs.

Also, a dog may be considered a senior, but that doesn't mean he'll act like one! (Mine is a perfect example)

  I just wanted to add that you don't want to feed a senior food that's low in protein, like Hill's. Research by Royal Canin and Purina has shown that senior dogs need more protein than younger dogs to maintain their muscles. Jessie is 13 and I just had a diet formulated for her by Monica Segal. The diet has about 81 grams of protein, with more than two thirds of the calories from meat sources. Here's some good links for more info;

Companion Animal Nutrition_2.pdf (application/pdf Object) 

Should we decrease the protein level in the diet of an ageing dog? 

The Dog Food Project - Feeding Senior Dogs

DogAware.com Articles: Diets for Senior Dogs 

  Make sure that a named meat meal is listed first in the ingredients, and try to avoid products with a gluten meal or rice protein; they boost the protein level of the product but are poor sources of protein.

Sinbad is 12 and I don't feed a senior food. He gets Wellness (kibble and canned), some beef liver, and veggies.I do feed him 4 times a day--ligher meals at lunch and before bed--which seems to work well for him (it became a habit when Frisby was sick and I just continued it with Sinbad). I also give him a Pet-Tabs vitamin, salmon oil and glucosamine. It all seems to be working well for him.

Has Sinbad ever had any problems? Like joint issues? Or are you just taking preventative measures with the vitamins, salmon oil, and glucosamine?

I'm just wondering if I should start preventative measures. Btw, where do you get your dog's vitamins and supplements? Are they expensive?

PS- Sorry about the barrage of questions...

Sinbad was 50 lbs overweight before he was surrendered and placed with a foster mom for rehab prior to his adoption. (He weighs about 80 lbs now--right where he should be.) I do the vitamins and salmon oil (and acupuncture once a month) primarily as preventation at this point. He has a tiny bit of arthritis, but because he was so overweight (pretty much couldn't stand up without help), we were worried he was at risk for developing it quickly. So far, he's doing really well. I get the salmon oil and glucosamine from our local drug store--over the counter--not prescription. Pet Tabs I order online.  He also gets a Knox Nutra Joint supplment (it has geletin)--it's a power I sprinkle on his food. All in all, it's not too expensive. Callie can provide better info about how everything works--I just feel confident it is working. The acupuncture is a bit on the expensive side, but I am positive it is helping a lot, too. If I had to cut the acu because of money, I would probably just go longer between appointments, but right now, he goes once every 4-5 weeks, and it's do-able for me. (Note--my dogs get much better medical care than I ever get myself!)

FrisbyPI

Sinbad was 50 lbs overweight before he was surrendered and placed with a foster mom for rehab prior to his adoption. (He weighs about 80 lbs now--right where he should be.) I do the vitamins and salmon oil (and acupuncture once a month) primarily as preventation at this point. He has a tiny bit of arthritis, but because he was so overweight (pretty much couldn't stand up without help), we were worried he was at risk for developing it quickly. So far, he's doing really well. I get the salmon oil and glucosamine from our local drug store--over the counter--not prescription. Pet Tabs I order online.  He also gets a Knox Nutra Joint supplment (it has geletin)--it's a power I sprinkle on his food. All in all, it's not too expensive. Callie can provide better info about how everything works--I just feel confident it is working. The acupuncture is a bit on the expensive side, but I am positive it is helping a lot, too. If I had to cut the acu because of money, I would probably just go longer between appointments, but right now, he goes once every 4-5 weeks, and it's do-able for me. (Note--my dogs get much better medical care than I ever get myself!)

how old is he? u should look into Pro-Pet products. i have a 17 year old dog that was over weight most her life. now shes at a perfect weight but have sever athritus and is blind and going deaf. i thought she was going to die when i got her. she couldnt move and wouldnt eat and her eyes were clouded over. i started her on derramex pain pills and went and bought Glocosimene advanced joint care, Brewers Yeast(omega 3), and Senior Daily vitamens all Pro-Pet products. Derramex i got form my vet. ever since shes been on these medications shes like a new dog. she can walk and get up on her own. her eyes are clearer than before. she can hear more, and she got her appitite back. i clean her ears once a day, brush her teeth, and brush her everyday. shes doing great now

That's great! Yeah, I may look into preventative medicines in the not-so-distant future. My little guy, though 9, is still perky and healthy. Every morning when I get up he bounds to the door, goes out and does his business, then zips back in for breakfast. Food is a major motivator for him

My 13 1/2 year old cairn did not like the taste of senior food.  He also was missing some nutrient as he got sores on his nose when I switched to senior food.  Once I put him back on the adult healthy weight formula the sores went away. I feed him Blue Buffalo chicken & brown rice.  It has been great for him.  I also give him a Dasuquin tablet each day for his joints. You have to find what works for your individual dog.

Indy05

I also give him a Dasuquin tablet each day for his joints.

  Jessie is also 13 and I give her the Dasuquin chews with MSM.  She started limping occasionally about a year ago, so I switched from a standard joint supplement to the Dasuquin and she hasn't limped in a long time.