Doggy Diet

[paddywak]

Max is ten today and while picking up some doggy treats for him, I noticed Beta did a "Senior" mix of food and I was wandering about it. He's always had Beta, first "Puppy" and then "Pet Maintenance" plus veggie scraps, gravy etc he eats as well as he's always done his poo's are OK and though he's slowed down a bit he is just as active as he's ever been, so is there any advantage in changing to "Senior"? and just what is the difference?

[wolf63]

Happy Birthday Max

I know with cat food for seniors there is a change in he %age of protein in the food.

My last dog had a problem with bladder stones in his final months and the vet said that males were prone to this.

I am sure that some doggy expert will be along to give you a better answer.

One of my stupid fekkin' cats has just stomped all over my printer, turning it on and is now wandering over the desk and keyboard in an attempt to get to the other half of the chew that he has just demolished - which is is destined for his sister. Dogs just don't do stuff like this - do you want to swap?

[paddywak]

No thanks wolfie, I'll stick with Max. When he was a pup he used to climb on my knee and every now and then he'll stand with his front paws on my knees and give me that " Why can't I sit on your knee now?" look.

[wolf63]

Our first dog was a GSD/bull-mastiff who changed from a small(ish) puppy into a very large dog in a very short period of time.

He used to snooze under the coffee table in the lounge - until the fateful day that he stood up and the coffee table went with him, it cleared the floor by several inches. He died in 1988 and I still miss him - my first true love.

[ladybirder]

paddywak, I can only speak for cats but my vet recommended I buy senior food for my cat when she got to about 14 I think. And she said something about a difference in the amount of protein in the Senior stuff. As Senior is made for dogs as well I suppose we can assume that the same reason holds good for our canine friends.

[Ratty2E]

older dogs tend to slow down and not use as much energy also their digestive system may not work as well as it once did just like older humans. Senior food is made with the requirements of the older dog in mind so that you can keep their weight in check whilst they still feel like they've had a proper dinner and it will be easier to digest.

[paddywak]

Thanks for your answers I think I'll get a couple of small bags and gradually wean him onto the senior