Weight on an older dog - Page 1

Question to the company assembled.

We've all discussed the benefits, rational behind keeping a young dog on the lean side (hips, elbows, etc) and of course maintaining weight on a prime of life, fit working dog.

How about your seniors?  I'm not talking an adult dog in the prime of life, I'm talking about a recognized senior age canine.  Do you like to see them carry a little extra padding (I DON'T MEAN obese) or do you like to keep them at a working trim?

Thoughts?

    My Great Dane is at least 12 years old and we keep her lean. She is pretty healthy otherwise. However, if she where not lean I think she would be having a hard time getting around as she has lost a ton of muscle mass with age. JMO....


              Deanna...: )

I'm not sure what the technical age is for seniors but my boy will be nine in March and food is still the same, 2 cups morning 2 cups evening. Still trains, excercises, runs, wrestles with the other two, chases balls. He's at 73 lbs., lean. I believe I'll keep them lean their whole lives.  

 I like to see a Senior (9+ yrs.) kept at working trim weight. I firmly believe it is healthier for them. However, keeping them at that weight is the hard part. My girl has a tendency to put it on so it's a constant balancing act between proper nutrition and healthy fillers in her diet.

My 9 year old and my 8 year old who has arthritis are kept lean. My 8 year old is inclined to get pudgy the last year or so but my 9 year old is not, I would actually like 2 or 3 more pounds on her.

I have an 11 year old lab who currently has great energy and a nice waist on her, in fact she's as lean as my two working GSDs.

My concern is she gets fed the same food as the GSDs who are on Orijen Regional Red for performance.  It's great for them but I worry if the lab is getting enough "filler" to help offset any issues her older body might be having with metabolising her food.

Trying to decide if I should switch her to a senior formula.

IMO it's a balancing act for a senior.  I don't keep them as trim as I do the dogs who are working, but I don't keep them heavy either.  I do want them to have a few pounds on them though so if they get sick or some other "senior issue" comes up, they are carrying a little weight to get them through it.  But not so much weight that it's hard on their joints and stuff as they get older.

I'm currently feeding my senior (almost 11) and my "close to senior (9) a lower calorie food.  It's not labeled as a senior food, but it is a little lower in calories than a regular food, and quite a bit lower than the performance food I feed the hard keepers.  This way they can eat their normal amounts without putting on weight since they aren't getting as much exercise as they did when they were actively working.

Describe lean.  My definition is when you are standing over the dog and rub a hand on each side of the ribcage, you depress slightly and feel the ribs.   By no means should you easily feel the backbone (some think this is lean, it is not, it is emaciated)

so, lean please and the quality of food needs to be better being more highly digestible.   Excess protein is also not recommended.  Digestibility is.

Cheers!

Nancy Rhynard
www.westwoodkennels.com