Contribution Of The Diet To The Long Life Of Your Aged Dog
By: Kelly Marshall
Submitted: 2009-01-03 13:13:25 | Word Count: 505
If you want your old dog to live for an even longer period, then you should work towards determining a nutritious, wholesome and natural diet for your dog. The diet should be free of artificial additions. Giving such a diet to your aged dog will lead to an overall improvement in the health of your dog. Such is the power of a natural diet. If you follow such a diet for your aged dog, it will show improvement in all diseases and conditions that are caused and affected by deficiency in nutrition.
The importance of food in the health of your aged dog cannot be overstated. All foods can be classified as proteins, fats and carbohydrates. These three classifications are utilized to assess the major components of the food. It should be kept in mind that no food consists solely of any one of the above. All foods contain proteins, fats and carbohydrates. Wheat is classified as a carbohydrate. However, it contains proteins as well. Liver is considered as protein rich but it contains carbohydrates as well. The classification of food depends on the substance that is substantially present in the food. Just as is the case with people, pets too require a proper balance between proteins, fats and carbohydrates in the diet. Only then will proper health of the aged dog be well maintained.
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Proteins aid the growth of tissues in the body, formation of hormones, formation of enzymes, antibodies, milk during lactation and process of blood clotting. It regulates balance between acid and alkaline. It also serves as a source of energy if fats and carbohydrates are insufficient.
Fats (lipids) provide the maximum energy in the diet. Upon oxidization, fats yield more than double the calories yielded by proteins or carbohydrates.
Fats carry fat soluble vitamins like vitamin A, D, E and K. Fat increases supply of calcium to the body by absorbing Vitamin D. Fats help in conversion of carotene to vitamin A. Fats also insulate major organs and aid in maintaining body heat.
Carbohydrates supply much of the energy required for bodily functions. Carbohydrates are composed of sugars, starches and cellulose. They aid digestion. They regulate protein and fat metabolism. Carbohydrates provide the fuel for the fat to burn. Carbohydrates are popular as a very quick source of energy.
Just as in humans, there are special dietary requirements for diabetic dogs. Avoid semi moist packaged foods as they contain high sugar.
The condition of the teeth may be positively influenced by good maintenance or negatively by rough usage. Hence, the teeth are not reliable aids to determine the age of the dog.
If the dog is being sold at a very advanced age because it is very aggressive or very ill, then such a dog will cause problems for you. However, if the reasons for giving up the dog seem valid, then the length of time that the dog spends with you is irrelevant as the love and bonding will be strong and meaningful no matter what the span of friendship.
