The dog food industry has been growing tremendously fast recently. Dog owners have been a lot more willing to spend large amounts of money to get the best quality food for their dogs. While they are more meticulous when it comes to food for puppies and young dogs, senior dogs are given much love as well.

You may want to give your aging dogs the best senior dog food that there is. It helps them live their lives as peaceful as possible. With proper nutrition, their bones will continue to be strong and they will remain healthy for a long time.

If you want to know more about the best senior dog foods, you can continue reading the article as we further discuss everything that you need to know about them.

The Dog Foods – Puppies vs Adults vs Senior Dogs

People who are new to taking care of dogs may be confused as to why dog foods are segregated into foods for adult dogs, senior dogs, and puppies. Naturally, this has something to do with their bodies. Different bodies mean that they require different nutrients to be healthy.

1. Nutritional Requirements

One fact to remember about puppies is that they are still growing. Due to this, more nutrients are necessary to sustain this growth. For example, they need more protein so that their muscles and bones can grow properly.

They also need more calories in their diet. Puppies are generally rowdier and more playful than their adult counterparts. Because of this, they have more energy consumption. Having more calories in their diet ensures that the energy spent is all replenished.

Meanwhile, even though adult dogs are larger than puppies, they actually require less in their diet. This is simply because they do not have to grow any larger, and they tend to have less activity as well. Hence, the nutritional value of their food is somewhat lessened.

Lastly, senior dogs are largely different because they will have more potential health problems. Their diets will need to contain more fiber and less protein and fats.

2. When to switch between them

There is no correct answer to the question of when to switch between different dog foods. The best action is to simply consult a veterinarian.

However, if you cannot afford to go to a vet, there are also some general guidelines. Small breeds like chihuahuas and terriers are considered seniors when they reach 10 years old or more. Particularly large breeds, on the other hand, can be considered seniors as early as 5 years.

When in doubt, the best thing to do is to watch the condition of your dog. If their condition is not deteriorating in any way, there is no problem in continuing to feed them adult food.

Protein in Dog Food – What is it for?

Even though the amount that senior dogs require is less, the kinds of nutrients they need are roughly the same. Each of these vitamins and minerals serves their own purpose for the betterment of the dogs. Protein, in particular, is a staple nutrient that should be found in any dog food.

1. The role of protein

Protein is the primary nutrient necessary for a dog’s health. This goes not only for senior dogs but also for all dogs of any age.

According to Wikipedia, proteins are long chains that are made up of various amino acids. Dogs need more than twenty amino acids to stay healthy, but only half of them can be produced on their own. Hence, the remaining necessary amino acids should come from the protein in dog food.

In particular, protein is mainly for tissue and muscle repair. It is inevitable that due to a dog’s daily activities, some muscles will tear, and protein is necessary to compensate for it. Aside from this, protein also helps in fur growth, skin cell replacements, immune system boosts, and more.

Sadly, for senior dogs, protein is also somewhat hard to digest. Furthermore, a high amount of protein is bad for a senior dog’s liver. Hence, it is recommended to have a little bit less protein in their diet so they can handle it easier.

2. Other nutrients found in dog food

Naturally, dog food should not only contain protein but also other nutrients as well. Fiber, phosphorus, calcium, and fat are the more notable ones among these.

Phosphorus and calcium are mainly responsible for bone growth. Senior dogs do not need much of these, but their diet should still contain some of them. An adequate amount of phosphorus and calcium will ensure that your dog will not suffer from bone problems.

Fat is also a necessary component in a dog’s diet. It is their main source of energy, outcompeting carbs. Additionally, it also helps in various aspects of body development

Dog owners may think that fat is bad for dogs because of the negative stigma that it has among humans, but this is actually not true. It only becomes unhealthy when you give your dogs too much of it.

Unfortunately, like protein, fat and calories are also considered bad for the liver. Since senior dogs are more prone to liver problems, their diet should contain less fat.

Fiber is actually important in a senior dog’s diet. Fiber will help them ease their digestive system and go against constipation. Hence, senior dog foods typically contain more fiber compared to others.

What to be Careful of – Dangers of Improper Feeding

As mentioned before, people are getting pickier when it comes to dog food as time goes by, and rightfully so. This is because inappropriate or improper feeding of dogs can lead to some issues.

1. Malnutrition

If your dogs have less appetite compared to when they were younger, that is okay. It is only to be expected since they require fewer nutrients anyway. However, you need to compensate for this with a senior dog food brand with excellent nutrient contents.

Furthermore, malnutrition does not only come from eating less food, but also from an imbalanced or inappropriate diet. Some kinds of dog food, especially the ones meant to be dog treats, do not actually nourish the dogs much. If you give your dogs too much of these low-nutrient foods, they may accumulate bad fats but not anything else.

In conclusion, to deal with malnutrition, the first thing to do would be to give your dogs less treats. Instead, give them high-quality dog food with sufficient and appropriate nutrients.

2. Too much fat

If malnutrition is a problem, the opposite side of the spectrum also is. If your dogs accumulate too much fat, their bodily functions will not work as great as before. Your dogs need a balanced diet of fat, protein, calcium, fiber, and more.

Thankfully, obesity is less of a problem in senior dogs since they generally have less appetite. Regardless, you should consult a vet if possible.

Best Senior Dog Food in 2020 Reviews

In this section, we recommend the best senior dog food that you can find in the market. All of these have complete nutrients for the betterment of your senior dogs.

1. PEDIGREE Active Senior Roasted Chicken, Rice & Vegetable Flavor Dry Dog Food

The first product in our list comes from a very familiar brand name. Pedigree has been around for the longest time, and their products are as high-quality as expected. This senior dog food from them is no exception.

The main ingredient for this dog food is chicken. Chicken is popular among dog owners because poultry is easier for dogs to digest, and they are also deemed to be more delicious. It is also very reliable as a protein source, ensuring that your dogs get an adequate amount.

Other ingredients of this dog food include rice and corn. These are great sources for fiber for senior dogs. The PEDIGREE Active Senior Dog Food contains 4% fiber because of these ingredients.

2. Taste of The Wild Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

The Taste of The Wild Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is an excellent-quality dog food that is great for adults and seniors alike. It is one of the popular and highest-rated products among its competition.

This dog food has roasted bison and venison as its main source of protein. Furthermore, the animals themselves all come from reliable sources. The company itself is USA-based, and all animals are grown from there.

Aside from the protein source, it naturally contains adequate amounts of fiber. The fiber source, in this case, comes from potatoes, peas, and more. Furthermore, potatoes and peas are also protein sources, so they serve two purposes.

The unique part of this dog food is that it does not have grains. If you want a product with grain-free fiber sources, this dog food from Taste of The Wild is an excellent choice.

3. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe Dry Dog Food

This dog food product from Blue Buffalo is another popular one that is excellent for both adult and senior dogs. It has concentrated protein sources from all sorts of animals, while still having enough dietary fiber for dogs that have trouble in their digestive system.

The Buffalo Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe Dry Dog Food has animal proteins from beef and chicken. The beef is deboned, and its red meat is concentrated in its current form. The chicken is also concentrated into a meal, which is highly efficient for senior dogs.

The product contains at least 6% fiber in its formula. This helps senior dogs tremendously. Naturally, it also contains other nutrients necessary for dogs. Some other notable ingredients include peas, fish meal, potatoes, deboned venison, deboned lamb, and more.

4. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Natural Dry Dog Food

The last featured product in this list is another one from Blue Buffalo. This is unique from its counterpart due to its protein source.

The main protein source of the Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Natural Dry Dog Food is chicken. The product contains deboned chicken, chicken meal, chicken fat, and other chicken parts in its formula.

Another unique part of this product is the brown rice ingredient. As long as you are not afraid of any carbs in your dog’s diet, brown rice is a legitimate source of protein and fiber for senior dogs.

Other notable ingredients of this product include peas, flaxseed, potatoes, alfalfa meal, pea starch, oatmeal, and a lot more.

Blue Buffalo is a reputable brand and there should be no problems in the quality of the dog food.

Best Dog Food Buying Guide – Things to Consider

If you are new to buying senior dog food, you may find it hard to pick out the best dog food among so many choices. But that is okay! This section is here to help you find the most appropriate food for your dog.

1. Nutrient Content

The first thing to look for in dog food is naturally the nutrients that it has. You should remember that the best diet for senior dogs includes an adequate amount of fat and protein (but not too much), sufficient fiber, some calcium and phosphorus, and more. Naturally, your dog food should contain a balanced amount of all these.

Priority-wise, protein should still be the first. In all stages of a dog’s life, it simply is just too important. Only, the amount will vary depending on whether your dog has liver problems or not.

The next priority should depend on the condition of your dog. If your dog has no liver problems, more fat and calories are naturally beneficial to make them more active. If your dog has some trouble in pooping, then you may want to prioritize having more fiber in their diet.

Lastly, you should remember that going to the vet is always an option. Then, you can reliably find a brand that follows the suggestion of the vet.

2. Protein Source

When we say ‘protein source’, we generally refer to the ingredients of the dog food brand. Due to the importance of protein, it is also necessary to scrutinize where it comes from. Some protein sources are much better than others in nourishing the dogs.

• Animal Protein – This is the most common protein source found in dog food. This refers to the protein found in the animals’ meat from the different parts of their body. This may even include their organs such as liver, heart, and kidneys. Sometimes, the proteins are made into meals, which are more concentrated.

The next question now is as to what animal the protein comes from exactly. They are commonly from chicken, lamb, pig, cow, turkey, fish, and more. If you are switching from adult to senior dog food, it is generally recommended to simply find a brand with the same main ingredient as the adult dog food that your pet was previously having.

• Grains – Some brands have protein-giving grains in them. Soy and brown rice are the more common ones. This is important to note since they also give carbs. If you want to avoid carbs and gluten, you may want to avoid these.

3. Dog Food Type

There are actually a few dog food types. Each of them naturally has its own pros and cons.

• Dry Dog Food – This is the best senior dog food type. Not only is it cheap, but the nutrients are also more concentrated. Considering that senior dogs have less appetite in general, dry food will help them gain sufficient nutrients even when eating less food.
• Wet/Canned Dog Food – Wet dog food is not recommended for senior dogs. They are less concentrated, so the dog would need to eat more to get the required nutrition. Additionally, wet food can cause tartar and gum problems for older dogs.

However, even though it is not recommended for senior dogs, canned dog food is actually excellent for puppies and adult dogs. It satisfies their appetite while not giving them too much fat.

Read more: Best Canned Dog Food

• Semi-Moist Dog Food – These are dog foods that contain very few nutrients, if any at all. They are shaped like regular meat and are only mostly used as treats. This type of dog food can be given to younger dogs, but giving it to older dogs is highly discouraged.

Should you buy expensive dog food?

Dog food prices nowadays are absolutely crazy. What’s even crazier is that people dog owners are actually willing to buy these ridiculously expensive brands. However, this begs the question – “Is expensive dog food really worth it?”

Vets and animal experts agree that there is no clear answer to this question. However, like most other problems, there is a general guideline for it. Basically, if you can afford it, and you are willing to pay for it, it is worth it.

This may seem like crude advice, but sometimes, the simplest answers are the best. The fact of the matter is that more expensive brands tend to have higher quality foods. Hence, buying them definitely benefits your dog. However, it is also stupid to compromise your life for it.

In conclusion, you should try to buy the best senior dog food that you can afford, but without impacting your life negatively.

Summary

Senior dogs deserve as much love as the cute young ones. They may be old, but their heart remains strong and loving. Hence, it is only appropriate that you buy them the best senior dog food that you can find. After all, they are our family, and we hope that they live their lives in the best way possible.

Dog owners always want the best for their beloved canine partners. Naturally, the single most important thing in taking care of dogs is their food. Hence, responsible dog owners typically want some of the best canned dog food in the market.

There are different types of dog food out there. Many owners would choose canned dog food over other types due to the advantages it has. If you want to learn more about canned dog food, you can continue to read as the article discusses and reviews the best canned dog foods that are available.

Why canned dog food?

Canned dog food is a type of dog food that is wet. Because of their nature, they are commonly packaged in cans, hence the name.

Being easy to eat and digest is one of the biggest advantages that a canned dog food has. This is especially true for growing puppies that are not quite adults yet. Since they may have some trouble eating completely dried food, you may want to give them wet food instead.

In addition to that, canned dog foods are also perceived as more delicious than dried ones. If you allow your dogs to choose between dried and wet food, there is a higher chance that they would pick the latter.

Lastly, as long as the can is not yet opened, the food can last for a long time. So, you do not have to worry about forgetting about it after placing it on a shelf only to remember and find it already spoiled.

Canned dog food can easily be found in pet stores and in supermarkets. Alternatively, you can also purchase them online. In fact, buying online is arguably better nowadays since you can maximize your options this way.

Why not?

Even though there are indeed advantages in buying canned dog food, it also has some downsides when compared to other types.

First of all, since it contains high amounts of water, it is less dense when it comes to nutrition. For example, one canned dog food product may contain fewer nutrients than a dry product of the same price. If you consider this fact, it may be less economical than other types.

Fortunately, there is a way to fully take advantage of the benefits of canned dog foods. Instead of buying one type of dog food, you can buy both canned and dry dog food and mix them together. This makes the food more palatable and easier for your dog while still getting the nutrients necessary.

The best canned dog foods in the market are those that have a completely balanced composition of ingredients. These products will allow your dog to get every nutrient that he needs even when only eating wet dog food.

Dangers in picking out a canned dog food brand

It is only natural that dog owners should choose the best canned dog food available. However, that is easier said than done.

There are too many brands of dog food in the market. Picking the best one out of hundreds or even thousands of brands is extremely difficult. Additionally, if you pick an inappropriate dog food, they may even contain hidden risks and dangers.

1. Allergy

This is something that a dog owner might disregard, but it can actually be dangerous. Additionally, it is also next to impossible to predict what kind of allergies your dog may have at the start.

The best thing you can do is to first make sure of the ingredients of the dog food that you are buying. If the dog food triggers an allergic reaction from your dogs, you can immediately stop feeding it to your pet. Afterward, you can find a new brand that does not have the same main ingredients as the previous one.

According to Wikipedia, the signs of dog allergies include tender skin, rashes, swelling, and more. Again, if you find your dogs with allergic reactions, stop feeding them the same dog food brand immediately.

2. Toxic ingredients

Some news ranging from reports to rumors have circulated among dog owners regarding different dog foods that have toxic components, mainly those that come from China.

While these may simply be untrue, it is still best to be careful. Therefore, you should really try to buy the best canned dog food possible. It can only be good for your pet.

3. Inappropriate or lacking

While some dog food brands may not really bring danger to your pets, they may also be not enough either. For example, it is important for your dogs to have sufficient protein in their diet. If the product that you are giving them does not have enough protein in it, your dogs’ health will suffer as a result.

Therefore, it is best to invest in dog foods that are not only safe but are also appropriate and complete.

Best canned dog food in 2020 reviews

Because of the potential risks that you may encounter in picking out a brand of dog food, it is best to simply find one with great quality. This section may help you in the process of picking out one brand among many others.

1. Pedigree Chunky Ground Dinner with Beef, Bacon & Cheese Flavor

To start off our list, we have a product of one of the most popular brands of dog food – Pedigree.

Pedigree has established itself as one of the forerunners in the industry. This is a very important fact since you can ensure your pet’s safety by buying from an established brand.

Additionally, Pedigree is very transparent in their choice of ingredients so you can simply check the label and see every ingredient included.

As for the product, the Pedigree Chunky Ground Dinner has chicken as its main ingredient. It also has beef and bacon as additional sources of protein but most of these are only filler and for flavor purposes. The chicken is what gives your dog the protein that they need to survive.

Chicken is one of the best food ingredients for dogs. The biggest advantage that it has is that it is very light in the animal’s stomach. In addition to the food’s water content, you can be absolutely sure that your pets will not have any problems settling the food.

Lastly, because of the different flavors combined, it is quite a joyful dining experience for your canine family.

2. Purina ALPO Prime Cuts in Gravy Adult Wet Dog Food

Since we are in the topic of well-established brands anyway, we should discuss Purina. It is the same as Pedigree in that it is remarkably famous. You can be assured not only on the quality of their products but also on their safety.

Unlike Pedigree’s product, the Purina ALPO Prime Cuts has beef as its main ingredient. While it is not as popular as chicken-based food, its beef ingredient is also one of the best sources of protein.

As mentioned earlier, the best canned dog foods are those that are complete in nutrients. This product from Purina is exactly that. It is a complete package that contains all the necessary nutrients that your dog should have.

Purina claims that the product is made up of twenty-three different vitamins and minerals. Although it is made for adult dogs, it can also be fed on puppies.

The last but not the least advantage that it has is, of course, its taste. If the beef in itself is not good enough, then the gravy filling all the beef will surely convince your dog.

3. Purina ONE SmartBlend True Instinct Natural Grain-Free Dog Food

The Purina ONE SmartBlend dog food is simply one of the best canned good products in the market. Again, it is made by an established brand, so you do not have to worry when buying this one.

An eye-catching characteristic that you may have noticed already can be found on its name. The Purina ONE SmartBlend dog food is grain free.

Recently, many owners have slowly started to believe that any wheat-based ingredients are dangerous. This is partially due to the recent infamy of a protein family that we call as gluten. People believe that gluten upsets the stomachs of people and dogs.

Because this dog food from Purina is grain-free, you do not have to worry about it

The main ingredients for this dog food are chicken and turkey, both are excellent sources of protein for dogs.

4. Purina ALPO Chop House Wet Dog Food

Yet another product from Purina is the Chop House dog food.

The main ingredient in the product is still chicken although it also includes beef and other protein sources.

Apparently, it even contains the liver which is a remarkably excellent source of both iron and protein. The bad news is that it is impossible to exactly verify the quality of the liver, so it’s hard to quantify the exact nutrient numbers that it can give.

Unlike the Purina ONE Smartblend, this product also derives some of its nutrients from soy, a grain ingredient. Therefore, if you are one of those people who are worried about gluten, you may want to consider it first. Outside of that, soy flour is rich in nutrients and is an excellent addition to the dog food.

The best thing about the product is that it is relatively cheap. You can buy multiple cans of this dog food in just around ten dollars.

5. Pedigree Puppy Chopped Ground Dinner with Chicken & Beef

If you have a puppy in your house instead of an adult dog, you may want to choose the product that is specifically made for them. This is what you will get when from the Pedigree Puppy Chopped Ground Dinner dog food.

It has the same nutritional density that the adult version has, but the formula is more suited to puppies and younger dogs.

The main ingredient and protein source of this product is still chicken. In addition, there are also beef parts. They combined both of them together and ground them to make excellent-quality wet dog food.

This product from Pedigree claims to be complete. This means that the focus of the food when it comes to nutrients is not only on protein. It also contains all of the vitamins and minerals that dogs need.

Since it contains all the necessary nutrients, you should not need another dog food product to mix it with. Ultimately, this makes the investments cheaper in the long run.

6. NutriSource Canned Dog Food with Lamb & Rice

The last product in this list is a little bit unique since it is not from either Pedigree or Purina.

NutriSource is also a respectable brand when it comes to the dog food industry. While some of their products are not quite popular, most of the reviews they have been receiving in their products are positive. With this, you should not worry about your pet’s safety with their products.

Not only is the brand unique, but the ingredients also are. The NutriSource canned dog food is made up of lamb meat. This is the main source of protein as well as a great source of amino acids for dogs. These amino acids are essential for the dog’s healthy lifestyle.

Aside from the meat, the lamb liver is also included in its composition. Livers are definitely a significant source of beneficial protein.

Brown rice is also a unique and intriguing ingredient in this dog food. Sadly, in terms of nutritional value, it is not up to par when compared to natural meat. However, this is fine since it is only a supplemental ingredient for the lamb.

Alternatively, you can choose a similar product but with chicken as its main ingredient instead here.

Best dog food buying guide – the different types of dog food

Since we have only mentioned canned dog foods so far, you may be wondering what the other types have to offer.

Canned dog foods definitely have their pros but the others have as well. Here are the different types of dog foods to help you choose among them.

1. Canned dog food

You have already learned much about this type of dog food. It is recommended to choose to buy canned dog food products if:

• Your dog has trouble eating dry dog food
• You want your dog to eat more tasty food
• You want to mix it with other types of dog food
• You want to have a dog food that does not spoil easily

2. Dry dog food

Dry food is the most common type of dog food product. This is so because you can save more money with it. You should buy dry dog food products if:

• You want to minimize your expenses
• You want your dog food to be efficient in giving nutrients
• Your dog does not have trouble eating it

A great product of this type is the Purina Beneful Healthy Weight Dog Food. Its main ingredient is chicken – one of the most popular dog food ingredients. It is easily digested, delicious, and full of protein.

3. Semi - moist dog food

Semi-moist food is the least nutritious type among dog food products. They are delicious for dogs but they do not really offer anything otherwise. When we give dogs ‘treats’, we often refer to this type of food.

Dog foods of this type tend to have many artificial ingredients. While you do not need to avoid them completely, buying them is also not necessary. Basically, you can treat them as the junk food of the dog world.

You can buy semi-moist dog food if:

• You want your dog to try a different flavor
• You want to give your dog treats

Milo's Kitchen Chicken Meatballs is a great treat for your dog. Our canine friends just love the taste of chicken. So why not buy a chicken-flavored treat, right?

Non - purchased dog food

Some dog foods are not purchased in the market. For example, you can cook for them instead.

Cooking for your dogs is not actually bad. By doing this, you can control your dog’s nutrient consumption even more. Additionally, they will avoid the dangers and risk that comes with purchasing low-quality store-bought products.

However, this is only a good thing if you are really sure of what you are doing. If not, your pet can be harmed instead. Or, he may get inadequate nutrition.

In some cases, owners would just simply give their dogs their leftovers. Dog food products are becoming increasingly expensive, so some people just do not have the capacity to purchase them reliably. If possible, it is better not to do this since it is unreliable for your dog’s health.

Lastly, dogs might also have raw meat. It is better to do more thorough research on this topic if you want to try this diet for your dogs. Better yet, just consult a veterinarian.

Summary

Food is a necessary topic to talk about when it comes to taking care of dogs. Hopefully, you have finally learned about some of the best canned dog foods in the market. If you are able to pick the best food for your pets, you can easily secure their health. They will surely live a long and happy life with their loving owners.

Is your dog getting fatter than normal?

Excessive weight in dogs – or simply obesity – is defined by having an excess body fat. It’s not cute at all. Matter of fact, obesity is a nutritional disease. And it’s your job as the pet-parent to be knowledgeable enough on how to help your dog lose weight.

So in this article, we will discuss ways of guiding a dog on his road to a normal weight. You will basically focus on two primary things – more exercise and proper food diet.

Play and exercise more with your dog

The art of learning how to help your dog lose weight is quite similar to that of a human. That said, one of the most effective ways to help your canine friend escape obesity is to promote a more active lifestyle. The best part is it’s completely free!

1. Doing more dog activities

Before you go out and play random activities with your furball, know that a dog’s genetics has got a lot to do with their behavior. That means certain breeds tend to show behaviors that are more predominant than others.

You can take this into your advantage by choosing a play routine or a toy as your means of promoting weight loss. You just have to make your dog perform something that he most likely wants to do. Here are some suggestions.

2. Dog activities according to breed

Breed

Category

Sense of duty

Ideal toys, activity, games

Hounds

Scent Tracking

Fetch, Chase, Puzzle Toys

Hunting Breeds

Retrieving game

Swimming, Fetch, Hiking, Walking

Playful

Companion

Tricks and games, Squeaky Toys, Walking the neighborhood

Terriers

Pest Control

Obedience, puzzles, digging, tug

Herding Breeds

Protecting Livestock

Agility, Herding, Flying Disc, Fetch

3. Importance of doing more activities

There could only be one result in increasing your dog’s activities – burned calories. Every calorie burned helps your dog lose weight and simultaneously promotes muscle development.

4. Exercise more

According to PetMD, exercise is vital for the success of your dog’s overweight treatment. It’s advisable to go leash walking for at least 15 minutes, two times a day.

5. Tips in playing more with your dog

• Occasionally introduce more games and toys from time to time. This effectively takes the boredom away. Additionally, new toys can enhance coordination and deepen the bond between your dog and you as his human family.
• It’d be better if you live in a place where dog daycares and dog parks are available. It’d be great for your dog to enjoy off-leash time and learn to socialize with neighborhood dogs. Plus points if there are facilities in your area that focuses on dogs’ wellbeing such as search-and-rescue, tracking, and more.
• Do NOT force your dog to engage in your new and increased activities, especially for the first time. Overweight dogs need time to adjust and to develop a better stamina for exercise.

Proper diet by regulating fat and calorie intake

1. Meet nutritional requirements but minimize calories

Gradual weight loss is ensured when you meet your dog’s nutrient needs while minimizing calories as possible. Healthy dogs are those who consume:

• Lower calories from fat
• Higher than average amounts of digestible protein
• Higher amounts of L-carnitine
• Added chondroitin and glucosamine
• Higher amounts of fiber

2. Feed smaller but more frequent meals

Do NOT feed your dog with a lot of food in a single meal. Instead, it’s better to decrease the food you serve but do so in more frequent meals. It’s not that easy at first but you’ll get used to it eventually.

Most people are used to giving their dogs two (2) meals a day, and that’s where they tend to overfeed their canine companions because they usually give more food so as long as the dog eats.

Instead of doing that, try to measure the food of your dog, feed in smaller amounts, and distribute these small amounts up to four (4) meals a day with equal time intervals between.

Here are more tips to do the trick:

• Use a measuring cup to avoid overfeeding
• Know how much food your dog needs by referring to the feeding guidelines behind the back of the dog food
• Adjust portions to account for calories from treats and wet foods

3. More raw and canned food

Another thing you’d like to do to your dog’s diet is to increase the proportion of raw and canned foods. And you might want to do it on a daily basis.

Raw and canned foods are usually low in carbohydrates but high in meat protein – which is what you would like a dog food to be. Additionally, these are low in calories which is a big plus.

Here are tips on how to do this correctly:

• It’s more beneficial to go as low as 25% wet food
• Another ideal ratio you can prepare for your dog is 50% dry and 50% wet food

4. Never let your dog have access to food

Be observant enough especially if you have more than one animal at your care; your dog might be eating your other pet’s food.

An overweight dog usually shows dominance over the food resources in his given environment. Some dogs are smart enough to master the art of scarfing up any leftovers from other dogs and even cat food in some cases.

• If you have multiple dogs in your household, you can start by feeding them separately with different bowls. It’s better if they eat away and out of sight from each other.
• After about half an hour (15-30 minutes), pick up the food bowl even if they aren't finished eating yet.
• Another way is putting cat dishes out of reach of your dog.

Talk with a vet

While you can dive upon unlimited information in the web including this page, nothing still beats a veterinary statement – a professional who has examined your dog first hand. That said, you might want to consult your local vet first before following any instructions online – yes, including this one.

• Ask how you can rule out fundamental conditions that contribute to weight
• Ask the vet about your dog’s health status. He might be suffering from thyroid disease, diabetes, or any illness that influences his weight

Causes of dog obesity

According to PetMD, dog obesity is usually caused by an imbalance between energy intake and energy usage. Obesity happens when a god eats more than he can possibly spend.

1. Senior dogs

Obesity can come due to an old age. It’s kinda normal considering most dogs tend to become inactive in their senior years. They’re not as energetic as they are before.

2. Unhealthy eating habits

This one’s the most common reason why dogs become obese – and you, as the pet parent, is part of the blame. Unhealthy eating diets include too many treats and high-calorie foods.

How about if you dog’s showing signs opposite to obesity? You might want to check how to get a dog to gain weight.

Managing your overweight dog

Obesity follow-up treatments include regular communication with your vet – especially if you’d consulted him for a weight reduction program. This includes monthly monitoring of your dog’s weight and a follow-up maintenance program after your dog has attained ideal weight.

If there’s one important thing you need to remind yourself is it’s NOT just the battle of your dog but it’s YOURS too. You are responsible for guiding your precious furball into his ideal weight.

Important note

While everything stated in this article is compiled and synthesized by thorough research and careful consideration, nothing can substitute a professional diagnosis by a veterinarian. We can guarantee that we are educated enough to carefully choose natural solutions and construct them into this piece of post, but we highly advise that you still go to the veterinarian before actually seeking for online help and support.

Summary

All you need to have is a firm commitment not just to your dog’s weight but to his overall wellbeing for that matter. One thing most pet-parents do wrong is when they ignore the first signs of dog obesity. Taking your dog’s increasing weight for granted will only prolong your agony.

It’s never too late to start getting informed on how to help your dog lose weight. That way you’ll be confident enough that your dog is eating a healthy diet and feeling his best!

Tylenol is a rather common over-the-counter medicine that is mostly used for relieving headaches and reducing high fevers.

It might serve well for us humans, but does it work just as good for dogs? When our dogs are in pain, can we simply open our medicine cabinet, grab some Tylenol, and give it to our dogs?

When we see our dogs suffering, it is natural to feel the need to help them. But as much as you want to, there are things you need to understand about Tylenol before you hand them to your pet.

To know more about the benefits and risks of giving Tylenol to your dogs, continue to read further along as we explain various details about it.

What is tylenol?

Tylenol is what people usually call acetaminophen products in the market. It is prescribed by doctors when treating common illnesses such as colds and fever. It is also used as a pain reliever for headaches, dysmenorrhea, arthritis, and muscle pain.

Acetaminophen is usually compared to Ibuprofen when it comes to painkillers. However, unlike Ibuprofen which is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), acetaminophen does not have any anti-inflammatory effect.

Scientists are still in the process of identifying the exact method of how Tylenol (acetaminophen) actually stops the pain. Some findings suggested that this substance blocks enzymes that produce pain. They classified these kinds of pain-relievers as non-oploid analgesics.

Tylenol for dogs: Can you give a dog tylenol for pain?

The short answer is no. There are too many risks and possible adverse side effects that Tylenol can do to your pets. Hence, it is best to avoid it completely, if possible.

You can find some natural alternatives to Tylenol instead. However, the best way to handle your dogs’ suffering is still to immediately visit a veterinarian.

If you are still not convinced, here are some explanations on a few points about dogs and Tylenol.

1. Why you should not give tylenol to your dog

Drug overdose – This issue is a very common one when it comes to medication. The issue becomes even worse when it involves pets. It is very hard to determine the exact dose necessary to treat dogs or other pets of varying sizes and breed.

Overdosing in Tylenol (acetaminophen) is very dangerous for your dog. It can damage your pet’s liver and kidney cells. It can lead to organ failure or other related diseases.

Allergy – Even if your dogs have not overdosed, they can still suffer from the side effects of potential allergies from the substances used in Tylenol. Unless you can guarantee that they are absolutely not allergic to Tylenol, it is a risk you will have to take.

Not enough information – There may still be other unknown side effects from Tylenol that can be harmful to your pets. There simply is not enough research about Tylenol in connection with pets.

Also harmful to humans – There are some cases of liver failure in people who have used Tylenol, resulting in their deaths. If even humans are not safe from its side effects, it is hard to believe that your furry friend will fare any better.

Read more: What Can I Give My Dog for Pain

Can you give a dog tylenol anyway?

If you simply do not have enough money to go to a veterinarian and you have tried but failed in using alternatives, you may be desperate enough to just start using Tylenol anyway.

Hopefully, it does not come to this situation. Nonetheless, there are still some dosage guidelines you can follow when you need to administer treatment for your friend.

1. How much tylenol can you give a dog?

The prescribed dosage depends on your dog’s weight. The recommended dose is 10mg – 15 mg of Tylenol per kilogram. You can give it to them twice or three times a day. To visualize this, here are some examples.

• A 2kg Chihuahua must only take 20mg – 30mg of Tylenol
• A 3kg Maltese dog must only take 30mg – 45mg of Tylenol
• An 8kg Dachshund must only take 80mg – 120mg of Tylenol

Considering that the typical Tylenol tablet is 325mg, you can see that even trying to give a precise amount to your dogs is already a struggle. Giving too much will result in poisoning. Giving too little will yield no effect.

2. Vet discussion

Technically, it is true that you can give companions some Tylenol to ease them from their suffering. However, it is strongly recommended that you visit a veterinarian first. The benefits in doing so largely outweigh the cost.

Your dog’s veterinarian may allow you to proceed with giving your dog some Tylenol. In which case, you can follow the vet’s dosage or have a look at the one above. However, if they have suggested some alternatives, it is simply better to try them first and see how they work.

Painkillers should always be your last resort.

3. Overdose

Generally speaking, overdose for dogs will only occur if the substance is 75mg more than the prescribed dosage per kilogram. So if you follow the prescribed dosage completely, your dog should have lower risks.

However, following the dose is one thing, and actually administering it carefully is another. Sometimes, it’s very hard to be precise in measuring the amount of Tylenol that you are giving. Utmost discipline and care are needed so your dogs can safely be treated without worry.

Tylenol poisoning

An entire section is necessary to fully explain the negative side of using Tylenol. In particular, Tylenol ‘poisoning’ can happen. You should be aware as to what it is and why it is happening.

Poisoning happens when your pets’ bodies react negatively to the Tylenol that you are giving them. There are many situations that can lead to this scenario.

1. Possible causes

Overdose from accidental consumption – In some cases, dogs may accidentally consume dangerously large amounts of Tylenol. It may be due to them discovering unattended medicine box. Or there may be a mix-up in their food. This can result in overdose which is, as mentioned earlier, toxic to your pets.

Allergy – If your dogs are allergic to Tylenol or even any inactive ingredient used to make the drugs, their bodies may respond badly to the medicine.

Inherent side effects – Tylenol may be inherently dangerous to your pets. Even when not overdosed or allergic, previously unknown side effects may pop up.

2. Symptoms and side effects

These symptoms and side effects may appear on your dog when they are suffering from Tylenol poisoning. It is important to identify them immediately so you can go to the vet as soon as possible.

• Strained breathing
• Unusually cold temperature
• Yellowing of the skin
• Diarrhea
• Swelling of some parts of the body
• Vomiting
• At worst, comatose or even death

3. What to do when your dog gets tylenol poisoning

When these symptoms appear on your dogs, you should not panic and calmly assess the situation. If you rush blindly, you may even hurt your pets even further. Here are some of the things you can do when your dogs take in toxic amounts of Tylenol:

• Go to the vet immediately. They will know best what to do in specific situations.
• If you just saw your dog consume large amounts of Tylenol, you can induce vomiting before it gets absorbed into the dog’s body. The best and safest way is to give them hydrogen peroxide (3% solution). Generally, 2 teaspoons per pound is just the right amount to induce vomiting while not being harmful to your pet.
• Just like in other types of poisoning, activated charcoal is also a great way to neutralize the effects of Tylenol in the body. Hence, if you have some lying around, you can use them instead.

What are tylenol alternatives?

You may want to try some alternatives to Tylenol before giving it to your dog. There are many common methods of pain relief that does not require any potentially harmful medication.

1. Natural alternatives

Change in diet – Some muscle and joint pains can be solved by simply changing the dog’s diet into a healthier route. Giving them food rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, for example, will relieve them of their arthritis.

Weight loss – Other pains can manifest just from having a fat and unhealthy body. By trimming excess fats, it can help a lot in solving pain problems. This is true for dogs as it is for humans. Try reading how to help a dog lose weight.

Exercise – As long as your dog does not have any medical conditions that hinder them from running around, you can take walks with your dogs. It is good for you and your dog’s health.

2. Before you give your dog tylenol

The most important part in giving your dogs medication is knowing what is harmful, and what is beneficial to them. Knowing the risks, and acting with these risks in mind, will help you and your pets in the long run.

So before you give your dogs Tylenol, proper research and vet consultation should be prioritized first. Always ask these questions first: can you give a dog Tylenol for pain? How much Tylenol can you give a dog? 

3. After you give your dog tylenol

All you can do after giving your dogs Tylenol is to wait. Always check for any improvements or any negative effects that Tylenol may have given to your dogs. Make sure you respond accordingly to the results. If there are any signs of Tylenol poisoning, immediately stop the treatment and visit the vet.

4. An important note about our posts

While we can assure that everything in this article is harnessed from thorough research, the team highly recommends every reader to visit a vet first – and actually make it a priority. No online advice beats professional diagnosis.

Summary

Can I give my dog Tylenol? Yes, you can. However, there are so many risks involved in giving them over-the-counter medication. At the end of the day, the best thing to do is to go to the veterinarian and ask them what to do.