Senior Dog Care and Weight Control

You know Benji, my sweet little unemployed freeloader. He is maybe 11, but I honestly can’t tell, because he has more energy than my labs did at this age. I feel like he’s 8. It’s a lot like me, really. I don’t feel my age, and I look about 15 years younger than I really am. But here’s the thing about senior dog care: I don’t see Benji slowing down any time soon, and I still take a proactive approach to it.

What Senior Dog Care Looks Like at Our House

Our routine is simple: joint supplements, exercise, rest and snuggles. Okay, snuggles don’t actually help with his age. But he likes them, and I get to nap and snuggle too, so I’m counting it as a win for both of us. Benji is also a dedicated sun-bather, which means any nap with a sunbeam in it is a really good nap.

In past posts I’ve mentioned green lipped mussels and doggie stairs. Those are still my go-tos for his health care, and keeping him safe is my priority. As always, I’m not a vet, so run any new supplement by yours before it lands in the bowl.

Why Weight Control Matters for Senior Dogs

Something I haven’t talked about much is weight. Excess weight can wreak havoc on joints and organs and even cause premature aging. We already know what that does to the human body, and it is the same for our pets.

The research backs this up. In a 14-year study of Labrador retrievers, dogs kept lean lived a median of 1.8 years longer than their heavier littermates (Purina Life Span Study). Their joints fared better too: by age 8, only 10% of the lean dogs had osteoarthritis in multiple joints, compared with 77% of the dogs fed more freely. And this is not a rare problem. A 2022 survey from the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention found that 59% of dogs in the US were overweight or obese, and plenty of owners never notice, because we see our dogs every single day.

The good news is that this one is fixable, and it starts at home.

Second Breakfast Negotiations (Benji Always Loses)

Despite Benji’s protests that he needs a second breakfast and a sample of whatever I’m eating, I am careful to limit his snacks and food intake. He may be unemployed, but he treats snack negotiations like a full-time job. I respect the hustle. The answer is still no. Okay, I confess, he gets a bite of my eggs every morning. He waits for me to finish, then races to his bowl in the kitchen, gives me a high-five, and forgets I’m even there.

Don’t get me wrong, he still gets snacks. Sometimes those snacks are carrot slices and spinach leaves. He loves spinach and carrots, and he knows exactly when the peeler comes out for carrots (and no, I don’t know how). Sweet potatoes are another happy food for him. When I bake sweet potato fries, I push some off to the side in the oven with no seasoning for him to enjoy. A good rule of thumb many vets use is keeping treats and extras to about 10 percent of daily calories, so lean and crunchy is the way to go.

Keeping Benji's Body and Brain Busy

In addition to keeping Benji’s body and brain active, keeping his weight under control is a main concern. I watch his weight better than mine! Mental exercise is part of the plan too, because a busy brain is a happy brain.

Here is my list of items and snacks to keep your senior active, happy and healthy:

Petsta dog puzzle toys
Barkwhiz dog puzzles
Kong toy filled with yummy low-calorie options
Snacks and low-calorie food toppers:
- Carrot slices
- Strawberries
- Blueberries
- Green beans

Benji's Low-Calorie Food Topper Recipe

This one is a flavor enhancer for mealtime, not a replacement for your dog’s regular food.

Ingredients

½ lb ground chicken, lean beef or turkey
½ cup sliced carrots
½ cup chopped green beans
½ cup cooked rice (brown or white)
1 cup water or dog-friendly bone broth (no onion or garlic)

Instructions

Brown the chicken, beef or turkey in a pan.
Add the carrots and green beans and cook until everything is cooked through.
Stir in the rice and broth, then let it cool.
Put a scoop on your dog’s food at mealtime: ¼ cup for small dogs, up to 1 cup for larger dogs. Use your best judgement.

Storing: Refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days, or freeze in portions for up to 3 months. If the topper goes on every meal, ease up on the rest of the bowl a little so the calories balance out.

A Simple Weight Check You Can Do at Home

Not sure where your dog stands? Run your hands along your dog’s ribs. You should be able to feel them easily with light pressure, without having to dig, and you should see a waist when you look down from above (here is a quick body condition score guide). If you can’t find the ribs or the waist has disappeared, it’s worth bringing up at your next vet visit. Weight sneaks up on all of us, and a quick check can catch it early.

The Bottom Line on Senior Dog Care

Senior dog care does not have to be complicated. Keep the snacks lean, keep your dog moving, give that brain a job, and set aside plenty of time to snuggle (for science, obviously). Benji may never admit he’s a senior, but I’ll keep doing my part to help him feel 8 for as long as I can.