Should you choose wet or dry food for senior pets?
Click To RevealThe choice of whether to feed a senior pet wet or dry food is ultimately dependent on the individual pet and owner's preferences. However, in certain cases, wet food can offer benefits for the older pet: Wet food is softer and easier for senior pets with missing teeth or other advanced dental issues to chew. Wet food, due to its high moisture content, may help keep senior pets hydrated.
Providing multiple water bowls can also help encourage drinking. Senior pets may have a decreased sense of smell and taste, which can affect appetite. Gently warming the food can help enhance its aroma and flavor. Whether feeding wet or dry food, food and water bowls should be located where senior pets can reach them easily. Elevating bowls a few inches off the ground may help senior pets with arthritis.
Pancreatic Disorders
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1 min to 5 min
Practice Scenario
Get to know Annie, a young adult, small-breed dog with pruritus and chronic diarrhea.
Pancreatic Disorders
Nutrition plays an important role in the management of diabetic dogs.
1 min to 5 min
Dermatological Disorders
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6 min to 10 min
Dental/Oral Health Disorders
Nutrition can play a role in the prevention and management of periodontal disease in dogs and cats.
1 min to 5 min
Dermatological Disorders
Nutritional management usually leads to resolution of clinical signs for dogs with zinc-responsive dermatosis.
1 min to 5 min
Practice Scenario, Senior Cat
Get to know General, an indoor-outdoor senior cat.
See a list of additional key publications from the 14-Year Purina Life Span Study.
1 min to 5 min