Senior Boston Terriers: Diet Recommendations for Optimal Health
Pet food plays a crucial role in the growth and development of Boston Terriers. This becomes even more significant when your Boston Terrier reaches his senior years. But the thing is a lot of dog parents still have a tricky time zeroing on the best dog food for their senior pooches, which can put them at risk of health issues sooner or later.
And unlike what a lot of people mistakenly believe, choosing the right senior Boston Terrier dog food isn't that complicated. All it takes is a bit of know-how and a commitment to give your canine friend the complete and balanced diet he needs during his golden years. So without further ado, let's start things off with one of the most frequently questions when it comes to dog foods for aging Boston Terriers...
Is There Such a Thing as the "Best Dog Food" for Senior Boston Terriers?
We'd just like to emphasize that the "best dog food" for aging Boston Terriers does NOT exist. Akin to all dog breeds, the preferences and nutritional needs of one pooch can be quite different from that of another. This also applies to your senior Boston Terrier.
While his counterparts may enjoy having chicken meal and grain-free food, this doesn't mean that he will automatically like the same. Nor will he have his daily nutritional requirements satisfied using the same preparation and dog food brands as well. This principle also goes for Boston Terrier puppies and older dogs in the pedigree.
However, there are a few simple and practical ways to determine the right food for your senior Boston Terrier. And they're rather straightforward, too. Make sure you follow the tips below and you're definitely going to be on the right track:
Asking your vet for recommendations is a must.
Successfully planning your meal plan for aging Boston Terriers requires expert opinion. This is where your veterinarian gets in the picture. Besides making an assessment of your dog's overall health, nutritional needs and possible food sensitivities, your vet can recommend the "best food" for your older Boston Terrier. They can have some really good advice on how to encourage picky eaters to eat more, too.
Moreover, a veterinarian can also get you in on information that will help you give your senior pooch the proper nutrition he needs while also maintaining an ideal quality of life. An energetic dog breed like the Boston Terrier needs to have specific components in their diet to maintain lean muscle mass while also factoring in immune health and proper weight management.
Go for options that suit the nutritional requirements of senior dogs.
Most Boston Terrier dog foods are specifically made for different ages and preferences. You've got the ones designed for Boston Terrier puppies, while there are also those that are formulated for juvenile or adult Boston Terriers. It is crucial to take note that there is no universal diet when it comes to the older members of the pedigree.
This is the reason why you can't just serve either preparation to your older dog since he may not be adequately nourished or may even be prone to food sensitivities when he tucks in. Keep in mind that senior dog foods are of a particular class and you should only serve age-appropriate options for your aging pooch to avoid problems sooner or later.
Take note of the fat and protein content.
Compared to Boston Terrier puppies and juvenile or adult Boston Terrier dogs, seniors of the breed need to have the right amount of good fat and high-quality protein in their diet because this will have a significant impact on their overall health.
This involves taking in sufficient amounts of essential amino acids and omega fatty acids—like those found in fish oil or salmon oil—to maintain the body's ideal physiological functions. These nutrients have key roles in supporting healthy life and also favor a senior Boston Terrier's digestive health, joint health, skin health as well as coat health.
Additionally, including fat and protein (chicken meal is one common option that can provide both) in your older dog's balanced nutrition can also have beneficial effects on certain health concerns like sensitive stomachs and stimulating healthy digestion. Contrary to popular belief, small breeds like Boston Terriers need a constant serving of good fats and proteins to stay in tiptop shape and not the other way around.
Keep clear from artificial flavors and fillers as much as possible.
While they may not be directly referred to as such, it's not uncommon to find artificial flavors and fillers when you check out the label of a particular dog food or snack. Whether it's wet dog food or the dry variety, chances are you'll find these in its formulation if you go through the ingredients thoroughly.
Examples of artificial flavors include bacon, smoke, lemon, pineapple, and raspberry. They are made by using synthetic chemicals like benzyl butyrate, benzaldehyde as well as allyl caproate to mimic the taste of certain foods.
Besides the possibility of overstimulating your older dog's appetite resulting in excessive eating, these artificial flavorings can also lead to a sensitive stomach and weakened gut health. Moreover, the practice of flavoring dog food artificially is also linked to the use of low-quality ingredients that have no beneficial nutritional value.
As for fillers, these are not harmful per se since they are made from natural ingredients like pea fiber, beet pulp, soy, sweet potatoes, wheat, and corn. However, some formulations of dog food brands—particularly dry dog food—offer little to no nutritional value and are merely there to increase the volume of the same.
Apart from exposing your aging canine companion to potential food allergies, senior Boston Terrier dog food that's packed with fillers may also disrupt ideal coat health and make it difficult for your pet to have healthy weight management. Some types of dog food formulated with fillers may even hamper the proper absorption of omega fatty acids and similar nutrients.
Why Choosing the Right Dog Food for Senior Boston Terriers is Crucial
Zeroing in on the right food for Boston Terriers in their golden years is not just about providing the essential nutrients they need to maintain the proper functioning of their bodies. It also involves giving them dog food that is formulated to attend to their changing physiological conditions, namely their slower metabolism rates.
Below is a more detailed list of the reasons why choosing the best dog foods (or the right foods) for your senior Boston Terrier is essential to promote his overall health. Make sure you keep the following in your pet care checklist:
It helps keep diseases and illness at bay.
As we've pointed out earlier, the dog food for Boston Terriers you choose can have a significant effect on his body. Akin to other pedigrees, this dog breed requires the right amount of nutrition to stay happy and healthy. Overlooking this very important factor won't just compromise his immune system health but can also possibly have a negative effect on his mental health.
Regardless of your choice between wet dog food or dry dog food, aging Boston Terriers need to have a balanced diet that specifically caters to their changing bodies. They may be prone to losing lean muscle mass and even anxiety and depression if they're not getting the right nutrients with their dog food.
We'd just like to highlight that providing balanced nutrition is not just for aging Boston Terriers. This also applies if you've got a Boston Terrier puppy or adult dogs that are still not in their golden years. The same goes for other dog breeds as well.
It prevents allergic reactions and similar adverse effects.
One of the reasons why dog food for Boston Terriers is really significant is that choosing the wrong option can lead to unexpected health concerns. Poorly made ones can set off a food allergy or two, which can also make these dogs vulnerable to sensitive stomachs, bouts of inflammation that prevent them from having healthy skin and other wellness issues.
Just like us humans, an aging Boston Terrier needs the right nutrition to stay in tiptop shape. His body is changing and it's up to us dog parents to make sure that these needs are properly attended to. And that will be rather tricky to pull off if he's constantly exposed to food allergies.
It ensures your senior dog will have all the nutrition he needs.
A balanced diet that's packed with the right nutrition is definitely the goal you're going for when it comes to choosing dog food for Boston Terriers in their senior years. Whether you're set on having your aging Boston Terrier eat a grain-free diet or integrating Menhaden's fish meal with his meals for an extra boost of essential amino acids and fatty acids, nutrition should be a top priority.
As we've stressed earlier, having the ideal nutrition from the right foods will not just support joint health, but also maintain healthy digestion and healthy weight management, among others. Even picky eaters can enjoy a boost in their overall health if they are constantly served with the best dog food for their age.
It will help you save a lot on vet bills and similar expenses.
The needs of adult Boston Terriers—especially the ones approaching or who are already in their senior years—will change as they grow much older. Their nutritional requirements won't be satisfied by giving them puppy food or regular adult dog food.
And should these nutritional needs become neglected, it will take a toll on their bodies in the form of disease and illnesses, which means they will eventually need medical attention. The same situation will also arise if your senior pet experiences a food allergy. Moreover, small breeds like the Boston Terrier are also very full of life, which makes them prone to "incidents" that will require veterinary assistance.
If we're being honest, a trip to the veterinarian's clinic can be a costly affair. Keeping in mind to choose the best food right from the start is a much better alternative than negotiating vet bills and related expenses, don't you think?
It plays a crucial role in extending your pet's life.
While this may be rather difficult to imagine, your aging Boston Terrier won't be with you for as long as you want him to. The lifespans of these more-than-adult dogs are considerably shorter than we'd like. It's crucial that you provide your golden-aged pooch with the best dog food he needs to support ideal body function while adding more years to this life at the same time.
Wouldn't it be very fulfilling to have the realization that you're providing your beyond adult Boston Terrier with the nutrition he really needs during his senior years? Part of giving your aging pet the best quality of life he deserves is through the right food for Boston Terriers.
Dog Foods for Boston Terriers are NOT the Same
Now here's something a lot of people seem to overlook selecting the right dog food for Boston Terriers, especially the aging ones, is not an all-inclusive deal. The "best food" for one pooch may not be suitable and as nutritious for another.
For this part of our discussion, let's go over some of the most frequently asked questions as regards dog food for Boston Terriers, particularly the senior members of the breed. Apart from dietary requirements, we'll also tackle food preferences in this section to make it as comprehensive as possible.
Can't you just pick a specific type of dog food for Boston Terriers?
Contrary to popular opinion, choosing the "best dog food" for aging Boston Terriers is not just about deciding on a specific brand and making sure that your pet eats enough to stay healthy. There are important factors to consider, which are provided below:
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size
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age
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levels of daily activity
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underlying health conditions
Along with these factors, we'd also like to highlight that you should also take note of the individual preferences of your pooch before finally determining the dog food you're going for. This is because it is possible that your pet may favor wet food over dry dog food or he might also be more partial to grain-free diets compared to one that involves sweet potatoes or a brown rice recipe.
Additionally, monitoring your senior dog's body's response to the food you're serving is also important. While he may like the chicken meal or brown rice you're dishing out, if you notice that there are unfavorable reactions to his coat or digestion, then it's wise to re-evaluate your options with respect to the best dog food for your aging pet.
Can you feed Boston Terrier puppy food to their older counterparts?
Although your senior dog may still absorb nutrients like omega fatty acids and high-quality protein from the puppy food, it's highly likely that he will still end up undernourished no matter how much of it he consumes. This is because those considered as the "best" dog foods for puppies have a different formulation from the ones particularly made for much older Boston Terriers.
Besides being very high in calories and quite dense nutrient-wise, puppy food also contains more vitamins and minerals than regular wet dog food or dry dog food, which can have a negative effect on your older pooch's healthy digestion. Serving puppy food to older dogs is even deemed as a potential cause for sensitive stomachs and food allergies.
Is it wet food or dry food for senior Boston Terriers?
If we're being honest, the choice between wet dog food and dry dog food falls on your senior Boston Terrier. But before you go ahead and decide on which one you should give to your pet, it's crucial to first check out the pros and cons of the two:
Dry dog food is much easier to measure by volume, which helps prevent overeating. This option is also more convenient to store and serve because of its dry state. It's packed with much-needed nutrients like omega fatty acids and can be grain-free in some preparations, too. The constant chewing that dry dog food encourages also stimulates the production of saliva, which helps reduce the buildup of tartar and plaque.
As for the downside, dry dog food may not be suitable for senior dogs that have dental issues or sensitive stomachs since they might have a tricky time digesting the same. It is also very important to monitor your pet's water intake with dry food since it has a very low moisture content.
Wet food already contains a lot of moisture, which is a big plus for golden-aged Boston Terriers because they don't drink as much water compared to their younger counterparts. This option is also much softer and easier to chew.
On the other hand, this one can be a bit tricky to store because it can easily spoil if not properly put away. Another disadvantage is that wet food can also be difficult to measure as regards how much your pet really needs, which can result in overfeeding in some cases.
Should older Boston Terriers have more dog food?
When considering the amount and frequency of your senior Boston Terrier's food intake, you should factor in his size, age, levels of daily activity and underlying health conditions. It is also recommended to consult a pet homeopathy expert or a vet to really maximize your aging dog's nutrition every mealtime.
Senior Boston Terrier Diet Recommendations to Keep in Mind
Now that we've comprehensively covered the very important things to take note of, let's go over the diet recommendations you should include in your checklist when it comes to the food you should be serving your golden-aged Boston Terrier:
#1. Consider your dog's dental condition.
One of the crucial factors you need to determine before preparing a meal plan that is appropriate for your older Boston Terrier is his overall dental health. Your choice of the "best food" for your senior pet relies on this important factor.
Your dog's dental condition can determine if he's more suited for wet food or dry food. It can also be a deciding factor if your pet can have regular servings of a chicken meal or if softer choices like sweet potatoes and brown rice are more appropriate.
#2. The right nutrients count a lot.
Aging Boston Terriers need more nutrients compared to their younger counterparts. This is because of the demands of their changing bodies despite a sluggish metabolism rate and unexpected digestive issues. Always choose foods that provide a lot of nutrients—and not just vitamins and minerals—to keep your senior dog happy and healthy.
Besides choosing foods that support digestive health, it is also smart to zero in on options that help maintain healthy skin and joint health. If your older Boston Terrier is anything like most senior dogs, these are the common problem areas that get in the picture during their golden years.
Integrating nutrient boosters with your senior pet's food is also a smart way to amplify his nourishment. Straightforward examples of these include salmon oil, Menhaden fish meal, omega fatty acids like Omega-6 and Omega-3, proteins as well as good fats from nuts and seeds.
#3. Don't be afraid to experiment.
As we've highlighted in this post right from the start, giving your older Boston Terrier the "best food" is not an instant deal. There will be times when your pet won't be too enthusiastic to tuck in or will not even touch his meal. This is the time you'll need to experiment to really work out what your senior dog likes to munch on.
One practical way of doing this is by combining different types of adult dog food. If his dental health is okay, you can mix chicken meal with brown rice—you'll also learn a new brown rice recipe in the process, too! And should his teeth be not up to the challenge, you can also incorporate sweet potatoes with mashed carrots. What's really interesting about experimenting with your senior dog's food is that it has no limits.
#4. Go for foods that support his joints and digestive health.
Most Boston Terriers in their senior years are often afflicted with wellness issues like a sensitive stomach, aching joints as well as failing gut health. This is why going for foods that support the joints and digestion should be a priority when preparing a meal plan for your aging Boston Terrier.
Moreover, adding omega fatty acids in your meal prep is a nice strategy to combat a sensitive stomach in golden-aged Boston Terriers. Besides having anti-inflammatory properties, fatty acids like docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) help support the ideal absorption of nutrients as well as improved digestion.
#5. It's alright to give occasional treats and snacks.
Unlike what a lot of people mistakenly think, it's perfectly fine to give aging Boston Terriers treats and snacks. However, there are key factors to keep in mind when you do so. The following are listed below for your guidance:
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"Occasional" is the operative word. It should not be something that is done on a daily basis.
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Take note of the nutritional value of the treats you're serving. Make sure they contain beneficial nutrients like omega fatty acids that help promote healthy skin and digestive function.
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Factor in your older dog's underlying condition. Keep clear from treats and snacks that expose your pet to health concerns like food allergies or may aggravate certain wellness issues that he's having such as diabetes, high blood pressure and kidney disease.
Benefits of Having a Balanced Nutrition in Aging Boston Terriers
While improving the meal prep and food choices of your senior Boston Terrier will not magically restore his body back to its prime condition, it does have a few key benefits for your aging dog. These benefits are listed below:
Your older dog won't be prone to malnourishment and mental health issues.
Did you know that constant starvation and malnutrition in dogs can potentially lead to extreme levels of stress and anxiety? Whether you're going for a grain-free diet or chicken meal for your senior pooch, keeping a balanced nutrition in mind can help curb canine mental health concerns. As a bonus, your pet will maximize the nutrients he gets in every meal.
His mobility will remain ideal even during his senior years.
Joint problems and digestive issues will almost always get in the picture when your Boston Terrier reaches his golden years. Having a balanced diet full of beneficial nutrients not only helps support ideal digestion but also maintains the integrity and mobility of the joints.
Adding omega fatty acids in your senior pet's food checklist will also promote healthy skin. However, it is important to deal with joint health concerns like arthritis and stiffness as soon as possible to avoid aggravating them.
His digestive health will stay ideal.
Nutritional balance is not just about regularly providing your aging Boston Terrier with the right food. It also involves ensuring his body will absorb all the nutrients he needs to stay in good shape. This is why supporting the digestive function of your senior pooch is essential. Neglecting this factor when improving your golden-aged Boston Terrier's food choices will only be counterproductive.
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