The aging process manifests itself in different ways. In some cases, the vision deteriorates, and your dog may start bumping into objects and not see you. As the body wears out, the heart and blood vessels get affected, and the bones and muscle-related problems develop. Urinary incontinence is another possible issue. Regular vet check-ups become required for older dogs. Due to the changes occurring in the body, the animal’s taste preferences might change, food allergies might develop, and GI problems may occur. Teeth deterioration is also an important possible factor. As a result, adjustments in dog diet become important.
Decrease in the rate of metabolic processes in the dogs body results in an increase of subcutaneous fatty tissue layer, which negatively affects the load on heart, internal organs, and joints of the dog. It becomes harder for the animal to move around, which contributes to even more weight gain. Obesity in an older dog is an aging canine health problem that should never be overlooked. Veterinarians recommend making adjustments to an older dog’s diet after the age of 6-7 years, emphasizing a low-calorie diet with reduced protein and fat. Dental problems are common for old age. An increase in plaque leads to tartar buildup, which causes inflammation of the gums (periodontal disease) and leads to tooth loss.
Unpleasant odors from the mouth and problems with chewing food are frequent consequences of these processes. As a result, aged dogs cannot chew their food sufficiently due to tooth pain and are forced to swallow it in large chunks. This leads to GI issues.