When to feed a senior food?

Sharon7

Sharon7

Moderator
So, I have a question regarding when switching to a senior dog food is recommended or considered necessary. Asta and Ally have been on Innova food all their lives and have done well. They maintain their weight with no problem. I supplement with VP joint and muscle and a fish oil capsule. They are now 10 years old. At Asta's last check up (perfectly healthy, thank the Lord) I mentioned the issue of switching, and my vet said if they are doing well on their food, it's not an issue.

But, I know senior food is lower in protein and phosphorous,which would be important for kidney health. Innova does make a senior formula.

So, what do you all with senior dogs (gosh I hate to even call them that already!!) feed?

Thanks for any advice.
 
I never change the food solely because of the age of the dog and most of ours live well into their teens.
 
Sharon7 said:
But, I know senior food is lower in protein and phosphorous,which would be important for kidney health. Innova does make a senior formula.
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Please buy Lew Olson's book Raw and Natural Nutrition for Dogs, where she explains about this myth of seniors and protein reduction.

I have no plans to move my older dogs to a "senior" food, unless there is a specific issue.
 
Yup, I'd agree with your vet. If they're both healthy, then keep them on the food. The low protein really isn't good for senior dogs and in fact, they actually should be fed a higher protein diet (in general, not higher than GF food).

As far as phos and protein for kidneys, that's all kinda true and stuff, but the thing is....lower phos and protein isn't going to prevent kidney failure. My suggestion....doing a "senior panel" every 6 months (if you can afford it). I started doing that and it's one reason why we caught Miko's kidney failure early. That and I started watching him like a hawk (I noticed he had been drinking a TON of water).

Right now, Miko gets only about 40g of chicken, BUT it's about 20% protein. How high/low is the Innova?
 
Right now, Miko gets only about 40g of chicken, BUT it's about 20% protein. How high/low is the Innova?
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Cheryl, the protein is 24%, from turkey and chicken.

Well, thanks all, for the input, it is so valuable to get information from long time Sheltie/dog owners with real life experience. My girls have always done very well on this food, it has never been the subject of any recall and they have nice firm stools with it. If it ain't broke, why fix it?

I think I'm sensitized to the kidney issue because that's what ended our first Sheltie Skye's life, and I really, really don't want to go down that road again if possible.
 
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