Feeding the Geriatric Dog and Cat
My-Dog.info > Dogs, Diet & Food
The nutritional requirements of aging pets have been the
subject of much discussion in recent years, particularly with the
introduction of therapeutic specialty diets. Even though there is
little experimental information on the nutritional requirements
of senior dogs and cats, commercial diets are nevertheless
currently available on the market designed specifically for the
geriatric pet. These diets differ from adult maintenance diets in
that they contain altered protein and fat levels, fibre content,
and vitamin/mineral levels. Whether or not these changes are
necessary in all older pets remains to be seen.
Aging results in numerous changes in the geriatric dog and cat
that have a direct effect on their nutritional requirements.
These changes occur in all the organ systems, causing a decline
in body functions and a decreased ability to maintain optimal
health . As pets get older, long-term exposure to oxidants, both
within the body and outside the body, results in the production
of harmful molecules called "oxygen-free radicals".
These radicals cause damage to cells in the body. Aging is also
associated with a decline in efficiency of the immune system and,
since nutritional deficiencies and excesses can modify the immune
response in animals, the nutritional make-up of the senior diet
must take these factors into account.
As pets get older, there is a decrease in total energy needs
because of reduced physical activity and a decline in their
ability to metabolize what they eat. For this reason, it is
usually recommended that older animals be fed fewer calories per
unit of body weight than a younger animal in order to maintain a
constant body weight. However, the energy intake of a pet should
be based on the individual needs of the pet rather than reducing
the caloric intake in all geriatric pets regardless of health
status or body mass.
Most older pets, regardless of health status, will benefit
from some nutritional guidelines. For example, because food
intake is often reduced in the older pet, the percentage of
protein may need to be increased modestly in order to maintain an
adequate protein intake per unit body mass. There is presently no
evidence to indicate that protein restriction in the normal pet
will prevent development of kidney disease. Similarly, in those
pets that have a reduced food intake, moderate increases (e.g.
25-50%) in the concentrations of vitamins and minerals in the
diet may also be beneficial. Increased dietary fibre in the
geriatric diet can be helpful but may not be indicated in all
senior pets. Current studies indicate that the digestive system
of older dogs and cats is very little affected by age and older
pets are no less efficient in extracting nutrients from food than
younger animals.
Aging brings with it numerous changes which adversely affect
normal body functions. However, it is important to realize that
these changes do not necessarily affect all pets at the same
time. There is currently no evidence to suggest that all
geriatric pets would benefit from a specially-formulated
therapeutic diet designed specifically for older animals. Above
all, it is important for the practitioner to distinguish between
the normal, healthy geriatric pet and one that exhibits clinical
signs related to diseases due to the aging process before making
any recommendations regarding dietary changes.
Reprinted with permission from www.animalhealthcare.ca
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