How To Know If Your Dog Is Considered A Golden Oldie

Dog owners often wonder about this. You might have heard that a dog becomes a senior at 7 years old, but it’s not that simple. Many factors influence when a dog enters their senior years.

Factors that influence aging

• Breed: Generally, larger breeds tend to age faster than smaller ones.
• Genetics: Your dog’s family history can play a big role.
• Medical history: Past health issues, even a dog's spay/neuter status and the age it occurred, can affect how quickly they age.
• Diet: A dog who has eaten a natural, gut-friendly diet their whole life will likely age more slowly. Highly processed foods contain Advanced Glycation End-Products (AGEs), which can speed aging.
• Toxin exposure: Flea/worm medications and environmental toxins can disrupt hormones and gut health, leading to faster aging.
• Behavioral history: Chronic stress can speed physical aging through the gut–brain axis.

Signs your dog may be entering their senior years

• Weight loss
• Reduced hearing and eyesight
• Increased fatigue or less willingness to exercise
• Stiffness
• Changes in appetite or increased thirst
• New lumps or bumps
• Loss of balance

In the beginning these signs might be subtle, but they can become more pronounced as your dog gets older.

A senior dog's nutritional needs

As dogs age, their bodies change and may require dietary tweaks. Key areas affected include gut health, brain health, joints, dental, kidney, and heart health.

Protein

Protein is vital for maintaining muscles, ligaments, and hormone production. Older dogs can have trouble absorbing protein, so a diet with moderate to high levels of meat-based protein is important to prevent muscle loss.

Fat

Because older dogs are often less active, a lower overall fat level may help control weight. However, omega-3 fatty acids are important for their anti-inflammatory benefits and joint support.

Carbohydrates and fibre

Complex carbs high in fibre (sweet potatoes, quinoa, kale, broccoli) help digestion and support immune and nervous systems. Older dogs often need extra dietary fibre and at least one source of prebiotics to support gut health.

Important micro-nutrients

• Vitamin D: Must come from diet—important for immunity and general health (oily fish, egg yolk, liver).
• Zinc: Often deficient in seniors; important for skin, eyes, brain, and hormones (oysters, beef, lamb, turkey).
• CoQ10: An antioxidant helpful for joints and heart health (oily fish, organ meat, poultry, broccoli).

Need help with your senior dog's diet?

Is your senior dog’s diet providing all the nutrients they need? Let’s talk about specific nutrients for senior dogs! Call me (Martina) at 1 844-486-4789 or email us at: info@yourcaninenutritionist.com

Helping senior dogs thrive is our passion. If you’re seeing some changes in your older pup and think a better diet could help, please reach out. We understand how special these years are and want to support you every step of the way. 

Has your vet given your fur baby a diagnosis that requires a change in their diet? Martina can create a custom nutrition plan to help your dog feel their best. 
You may also want to read my blog: How Proper Nutrition Resolves Common Health Issues