Senior Dog Care: How Multivitamins Can Support Healthy Aging

Aging is natural. It happens to all of us—even our dogs. Watching your pup slow down as they age is bittersweet. With the right care, quality vitamins for the puppy, adult, and senior stages of life, and a balanced diet with key nutrients, you can help them enjoy every day in good health.

Here, we’ll explain how aging affects dogs and which nutrients to include for your dog’s wellness plan to keep them active, comfortable, and healthy.

• Less effective immune function
• Decreased ability to absorb nutrients from food
• Problems with memory and cognitive function
• Decline in muscle mass and strength
• Joint issues and cartilage breakdown leading to aches and stiffness

These changes mean good nutrition is more vital than ever. Let’s take a closer look at the specific nutritional requirements in senior dogs next.

Much of what happens when we age is beyond our control. Genetics and breed play a big role in how quickly dogs age and the health issues they’re likely to develop.

Luckily, proper care can help dogs age more gracefully, with fewer problems. Better veterinary care, improved nutrition, and a healthy environment help dogs live longer than ever.

Keeping your dog active and properly nourished will affect how well they age.³ Key nutrients to focus on for your senior include:

• Omega-3 fatty acids – Dog foods that contain omega-6 and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially EPA and DHA, have been shown to provide energy, aid vitamin absorption, regulate inflammation, support skin and coat health, and benefit development.¹² Since dogs and cats do not produce omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, these are essential for them and must be included in their diet. Oversupplementation may cause problems, so talk to your vet about the right amounts for your pet.¹²
• Antioxidants – Our multivitamins contain antioxidants and other micronutrients that fight inflammation and free radical damage. Some of the most effective antioxidants include manganese and selenium, vitamins C and E, but there are many other forms of antioxidants as well.⁴
• High-quality protein – As dogs age, their bodies become less efficient at using and synthesizing protein. This doesn’t necessarily mean that older dogs need more protein in their food (and excess protein can be detrimental if kidney function is compromised).⁵ But it does mean that they need high-quality protein to maintain their lean body mass.
• Controlled calorie intake – Weight gain is one of the most preventable conditions affecting senior dogs. A study of more than 50,000 dogs found that being overweight was linked to a shorter lifespan in every breed studied.⁶ Keeping your pup at their ideal weight will maintain normal blood sugar levels and support heart and bone health.

A diet rich in vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and fatty acids is a vital part of senior dog care. These micronutrients boost the body in a variety of ways, from supporting healthy joints to assisting with cognitive function, digestion skin, and coat health. Some of the most crucial nutrients and their functions include:

• Vitamin A – Vitamin A is essential for immune function, cell health, and eye health. However, it’s also a fat-soluble vitamin, meaning it accumulates in the body. Be careful not to overfeed vitamin A-rich foods like liver or cod liver oil if your dog’s food or supplements already contain vitamin A.
• B complex vitamins – Vitamin B has eight forms, including B6, B12, folic acid, niacin, riboflavin, and thiamine. Each form is involved in crucial bodily functions, including metabolism, energy regulation, neural function, blood sugar regulation, nervous system functions, and hormone regulation.
• Vitamins C and E – These antioxidants support immune and cognitive health, two areas where aging dogs can benefit from extra support.
• Vitamin D – This vitamin is essential for bone, muscle, and joint health. Unlike humans, dogs can’t synthesize vitamin D through sun exposure and must obtain it through their diet. However, a buildup of vitamin D in the fatty tissues can lead to toxicity. Be careful not to over-supplement.
• Vitamin K – This vitamin is an essential part of the blood clotting process. It’s also crucial for bone health, and it helps to regulate calcium in the body.¹³
• CoQ10 – While not a vitamin, coenzyme Q10 is a naturally-occurring substance found in animals. As dogs age, coenzyme Q10 levels decline.¹¹ It performs important antioxidant functions that help protect cells from damage, regulate energy,  and support dental and heart health.⁷
• Zinc – Zinc is a mineral that works throughout the body, including wound healing, healthy skin, immune function, metabolism, enzyme production, digestion, and much more.⁹

Quality commercial dog food should be formulated to include these and other essential nutrients. However, dog digestive enzymes become less efficient at extracting nutrients from their diet as your dog ages. Providing a highly absorbable multivitamin supplement like Vetericyn’s ALL-IN can help fill in any gaps.

Just like dog food brands, there are so many options for dog supplements that it can be overwhelming. How do you know what makes a good supplement? Absorbability, safe and natural ingredients, and the proper balance of nutrients for your dog’s life stage should be your top criteria. As you shop, check the labels for:

• Absorbability – Does the supplement explain how the active ingredients are absorbed? For example, Vetericyn’s ALL-IN nutritional supplements are bioavailable. They use a clinically proven technology that helps nutrients pass through the cell wall efficiently. Other supplements often contain nutrients in forms that are not bioavailable and don’t make it where they’re needed.
• Age-specific formulation – Puppies and adult dogs have different nutritional needs from your senior pooch. Opt for a supplement specially formulated for each stage of your dog’s life—puppy, adult, and senior.
• Safe ingredients – Pet foods and supplements may contain synthetic flavors, colors, or vitamins. Choose supplements derived from natural sources such as grass-fed meat, fish oil, and plant foods.

Lastly, never use a human supplement for your four-legged friend. These may contain additives that are toxic to dogs and will harm their immune system, such as xylitol or other artificial flavors. The vitamin proportions in human and dog supplements differ as well. Vitamin D and iron, for example, can cause poisoning in dogs at levels that are safe for human ingestion.⁸

You may not be able to keep your dog young forever, but the good news is that more dogs are living well into their senior years than ever before. Thanks to modern research and advances in our understanding of canine health and nutrition, you can keep your furry friend active and vibrant for years to come.

Vetericyn makes it easy to keep your dog healthy at every life stage. We’re dedicated to giving your pets the same top-of-the-line care we give our own. That’s why we made ALL-IN supplements for your puppy, adult, and senior dogs. They are packed with patented nutritional complexes that meet all your dog’s needs for optimal health at every stage of life, using a unique protein delivery system that ensures nutrient absorption. Support your senior dog by investing in ALL-IN today.