Senior dog food

[Scarlette]

When do you guys think is a good age to start a dog on senior dog food? We just switched back to Nutro Active Adult because the Chicken Soup brand was giving Sydnee such bad gas that it was peeling the paint off the walls! Scarlette will be 8 years old next week and she seems to be losing a little weight on the Nutro. I'm thinking about getting the Chicken Soup stuff just for her but wondering if it's time to switch to the senior stuff. What's the difference in senior compared to regular or active adult?

[candyraver]

When I was on another forum before,it seemed that a lot of people switched their dogs to Senior around age 7-8.A few did at age 6 for larger breeds. My dog definately started slowing down around age 7.She's 10 now .
I think active adult is like,young adult. Age 1-3, "regular"-4 to 5.But after the dog starts slowing down,a bit at a time,which is natural since they are getting elderly.
Thats what I THiNK anyway.Please someone correct me.I could benefit from this topic as well,since my dog is a senior =P

[Vanilla_Rat]

I say 6-7 depending on the dog's size/weight.I think it veries for larger and smaller breeds,but I am not exactly sure on that.My mom's dog who is 9 now,started getting senoir food when he turned 7.

[Wolfie305]

I have to say, you made the right choice! Nutro is great food that keeps your dog's coat healthy and shiny and there aren't any by-products in the food as well!

My dog is 13 years old now and he has been on Nutro since he was a little puppy. Senior food, depending on the breed and size of your dog, can be started actually at the age of 5.

The difference is that the Senior food contains Glucosamine and chondroitin for healthy joints

I would talk more, but I am in school and the bell is going to ring! XD! I'll come back later and elobarte XP

[Chrisanne]

I'd say around 7 or 8 depending on the dog.

My dogs eat Canidae which is an "all life stages" food.

[grlunderrainbow]

Senior specific food should be given to older dogs, and activity level doesn't generally factor in in regards to giving Sr or not. Seniour foods, good ones, like Nutro Natural Choice Lamb and Rice, do have those ingredients added for joint health as mentioned above, but are also generally also more geared toward preserving kidney health as is increasingly important with age.

[Ambieruns10]

Does it matter the breed/size of the dog. Since smaller dogs are supposed to "live longer", would you give it to them later in age than a large breed?

[maria]

I would say 6/7 i am using hill's science plan for my pup lucy and its one of the top range dog food and expencive too but well worth it and lucy loves it

[grlunderrainbow]

Doesn't really matter as far as size goes. Although, with larger breeds that are prone to joint/hip problems..you'd keep that into consideration. But mainly it's aimed at the seniour system overall so size doesn't factor in.