Now that my pups Sadie and Oscar are each considered to be a senior dog, I realize that their nutritional needs have changed along with their black fur that is now gray and white. For example, the vet recommends daily supplements for bone and joint health among other things.
However, it isn’t only senior dogs that have different nutritional needs. Thinking back to when Sadie was just a puppy — we got Oscar when he was an adult — we fed her very differently than we do now.
Dogs and their nutritional needs through the years
What you feed your dog from a young age can significantly affect their health down the line. You may have spent a substantial amount of time considering different puppy foods. However, what happens when your dog ages out of that stage?
Determining how to meet your dog’s nutritional needs is a question any dog parent will continue to answer throughout their pet’s life. While the answers may change over the years, all dogs need five key elements in their diet:
- amino acids from protein
- fatty acids and carbohydrates
- minerals
- vitamins
- water
However, the combination and amount of each depends on age, among many other factors.
To help you better understand your dog’s nutritional needs throughout the phases of their life, we turned to Ollie. The company curated a guide using leading pet health resources, like the American Animal Hospital Association and the American Kennel Club, as well as consulting with veterinary experts.
So, whether you’re navigating what to feed your energetic puppy or wondering how to ensure your aging dog has the nutrients they need, here are some tips from the pros.
Find out how natural probiotics for dogs can help, too.
Puppy nutritional needs vs an adult dog
Photo credit: Canva.
For the first four weeks of their life, puppies’ diets typically consist entirely of their mother’s milk. After that initial month, it’s up to their new human parent to determine what to feed them.
A puppy expends a lot of energy. During their speedy growth period (the first six months of their life), they need about twice as many calories per pound of body weight as adult dogs of the same breed, according to the National Research Council.
Perfect puppy diet
As far as the dog’s nutritional needs go, the research group recommends the following for the average 10- to 12-pound puppy up until they’re 33 pounds:
- 56 grams of protein
- 21 grams of total fat
- 990 calories per day
According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, a puppy’s food should contain 25 to 30% protein.
“The focus for puppies should be on energy-dense, protein-rich diets to support their rapid growth phase,” said Dr. Michael Thompson, founder and leading veterinarian at Pets Food Safety.
Dr. Alex Crow of Pet Health Guru in the U.K. also notes that calcium and phosphorus are essential to puppies’ diets.
“These two minerals are crucial for healthy bone growth. It’s important that these are present in optimal proportions in a puppy’s diet,” he said.
Feeding time
Puppies also eat more frequently than adult dogs. They need three to four meals per day for their first six months. After that point, you can reduce the feeding frequency to two meals per day.
Though the age of adulthood differs by breed, once they reach about a year old, a dog can start transitioning to adult food. That process should be done gradually. Mix a little adult dog food into their diet. Then, increase the proportion slightly day by day over five days.
Adult dogs’ dietary needs
Photo credit: Canva.
We all know that puppies tend to have boundless energy. However, as your dog reaches young adulthood — around 3 to 4 years old, depending on the breed, according to the American Animal Hospital Association — their nutritional needs change. Then, how much and what you feed them largely depends on their activity level.
“When it comes to adult dogs, the key is tailoring the diet to their lifestyle,” Dr. Cheri Honnas, veterinary advisor at Bone Voyage Rescue, said. “An active working dog needs more calories and a higher percentage of protein and fat than their lazier counterparts.”
For example, a small 10-pound inactive dog only needs about 300 calories daily. Compare that with an active dog of the same size, and they need about 400 calories daily.
On the other hand, a medium-sized inactive dog (30 to 50 pounds) needs 675 to 990 calories daily while an active one needs about 920 to 1,350 daily.
Monitor what you feed adult dogs
Photo credit: Canva.
Adults dogs can consume more fat than senior dogs. However, you don’t want to overfeed them.
In terms of how they get those calories, the Association for American Feed Control Officials said adult dogs need the following:
- at least 18% of their daily calories to come from protein
- up to 50% carbohydrates, including 2.5 to 4.5% from fiber
- approximately 5.5% of their diet should come from fat
“Adult dogs typically require a balanced diet that includes proteins, carbohydrates and fats,” Crow said. “Adult dog foods are usually higher in fat than senior dog foods as younger dogs are better equipped to metabolize fat.”
This is also a time to watch your dog’s weight. Unintentional weight gain could negatively affect their joints and cause issues in their twilight years.
“Maintaining a balanced diet is key for adult dogs, with the prevention of obesity being a major concern,” Thompson said. “If your dog’s energy levels are decreasing or they’re gaining weight, that could be an indication to reassess their diet.”
Senior dogs have specific nutritional needs
Photo credit: Canva
When it comes to a senior dog and their nutritional needs, overall they need fewer calories. However, they need more fiber and higher-quality protein.
It’s one of the reasons we started making Sadie and Oscar’s food from scratch. Every week we put a package of chicken thighs in our Instant Pot, along with freshly cut raw carrots and frozen peas. After we’ve cooked this portion of their DIY dog food, we’ll then cook up brown rice to serve as well. So, now our dogs are getting high-quality protein from the chicken breast, and good fiber from the vegetables and brown rice.
When is a pup a senior dog
Dogs are considered senior when they are in the last 25% of their expected lifespan, according to the AAHA. However, when your dog reaches this stage depends on their breed and size. Studies have shown that larger dog breeds have shorter lifespans than smaller ones. Therefore, they achieve senior citizen status sooner than smaller breeds.
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, toy and small breeds (those less than 20 pounds) are considered senior from between 8 and 11 years old. Medium-sized breeds (weighing 20 to 50 pounds) reach senior age between 8 and 10 years old. Large breeds (weighing 50 to 90 pounds) are of senior age from between 8 and 9 years old. And breeds weighing over 90 pounds are considered senior from between 6 and 7 years old.
Metabolism and obesity
Much like humans, dogs’ metabolisms tend to slow with age.
“Senior dogs often lead less active lifestyles than their younger counterparts, which can lead to weight gain,” Crow said.
According to the AVMA, obesity in senior pets is linked to an increased risk of multiple health issues, including arthritis, difficulty breathing, diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure. Sounds a lot like what older humans face if they don’t take care of their health.
One key factor in managing your dog’s weight is monitoring calorie intake and ensuring they’re still getting high-quality protein.
“Senior dogs require diets that are lower in calories but higher in digestible proteins,” Thompson notes.
Older dogs require 25% fewer total calories than middle-aged adult dogs, according to the National Research Council.
It is, however, important to keep fiber in mind, which is something senior dogs need more of, according to Crow.
“Higher fiber diets can help manage weight and promote gastrointestinal health in older dogs,” he said. In other words, regular and good poops.
A good senior dog diet
Some dog food is made specifically for senior dogs. However, each pet at this age may have very different needs.
“A balanced and thoughtful approach to senior dog nutrition is essential,” Honnas said. “It’s not always just about following a fixed guideline; it’s about recognizing the individuality of each pet and responding accordingly.”
Generally, the key is providing the right mix of fat, protein, phosphorus, and sodium, the experts at VCA Animal Hospitals explain. Excessive fat could lead to weight gain; high-quality protein is key (a minimum of 25%, according to AKC’s Canine Health Foundation); excessive phosphorus could lead to kidney disease (which is common in older dogs); and too much sodium can contribute to kidney as well as heart disease.
Some professionals recommend adding supplements to your dog’s diet, like antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids for various age-related conditions or nutrients like glucosamine for dogs with arthritis. But it’s best to speak to your provider about your dog’s specific needs.
“There are special diets for seniors to support joint health and manage chronic conditions,” Thompson said, but others may not need to make any switch. “Just because a dog becomes ‘senior,’ it doesn’t mean they must change their diet. Some dogs can stay on standard adult food all their life,” Crow said.
Story editing by Carren Jao. Copy editing by Kristen Wegrzyn. Photo selection by Lacy Kerrick.
This story originally appeared on Ollie and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio. Jaimie Etkin contributed.