Older pets stay healthy with proper diet

As animals get older, they need food that is:
–
Lower in fat: because they are less active
– Lower in calories: because
they may be overweight
– Higher in fibre because: it helps regulate
bowel function
– Lower in phosphorous because: it helps reduce the risk of
kidney disease
– Highly digestible because: they need to absorb maximum
nutrition
– Lower in sodium because: it helps reduce the risk of heart
disease
– Higher in anti-oxidants: to help boost declining immune systems
and fight free radicals

Life-stage pet food
Many pet
food manufacturers have begun making food specifically for senior cats and dogs.
This is commonly referred to as life-stage pet food. Body fat and lean muscle
change, as pets get older, and many senior animals lose their appetite. They
therefore need concentrated, appetising food in small quantities, which means
the quality of ingredients is vital to maintain ideal body condition.

Obesitas
Like people, many dogs and cats put on
weight as they get older. Being overweight puts stress on every bone, muscle and
organ in the body. Lean-fed dogs experience a healthy life for longer, display
age-related diseases later and less severely, and can live up to two years
longer than dogs that are allowed to overeat.

Kidney
failure
Kidney failure is the number one killer of older cats, and
it is the second highest cause of death amongst senior dogs, but it is hard to
detect. The kidney has to lose 75% of its function before a problem is detected.
That is why its vital to take older animals to the vet for annual check-ups.
Correct feeding throughout a pets life can prevent the onset of kidney disease.

Related folder:
Dossier
AllAbout Pet Food  

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Source:
Petwise.co.za