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Medium Breed Mature or Senior Dog’s Nutritional Needs
Medium Breed Mature or Senior Dog’s Nutritional Needs

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Medium-Breed Mature or Senior Dog’s Nutritional Needs

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Unlike larger-breed dogs that are considered mature at age 5, medium-breed dogs are usually called mature or senior at age 7. By this time, their nutritional requirements are changing. You can help keep your medium-breed dog active, happy and healthy with a specially formulated mature or senior diet that delivers highly digestible, enhanced nutrition.

 

 

The Signs of Aging in Medium-breed Dogs

Your dog might be aging in a number of ways. He may have a dull, dry coat and flaky skin, declining activity or weight gain, decreased immune system response, more frequent intestinal problems, joint stiffness and a loss of lean muscle mass. It’s true that a mature or senior dog generally needs fewer calories, but to address special mature or senior concerns, your dog still needs high-quality protein and carefully balanced nutrients.

 

 

What to Look for in a Mature or Senior Diet

What your medium-breed dog needs is a high-quality, balanced maintenance food formulated for his changing metabolism. Look for options with these age-essential dietary components:

  • Vitamin-rich fish oils for healthy skin, a shiny coat and overall health
  • Antioxidants such as vitamin E and beta-carotene to help boost the immune system
  • High-quality animal-based protein sources to help maintain muscle mass
  • A special fiber source, such as beet pulp, to help maintain intestinal health and enhance your dog’s ability to absorb age-essential nutrients
  • A special carbohydrate blend of healthy grains for sustained energy

These ingredients are the keys to mature or senior nutrition whether you feed dry or wet dog food or give your dog treats.

 

 

Special Needs in Medium-breed Mature or Senior Dogs

Older, less active dogs are prone to weight gain. Controlling your dog’s weight can help minimize health complications such as diabetes or joint stress. Your dog can benefit from a weight-control diet with these key characteristics:

  • A reduced fat level that still offers essential nutrients for skin and coat health
  • L-carnitine, a key nutrient that helps burn fat and maintain muscle mass during weight loss
  • Special carbohydrate blends that help maintain energy while managing weight
  • Vitamin-rich fish oils for overall health

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  • How to Decipher Dog Food Labels: Dates and Shelf Life
    How to Decipher Dog Food Labels: Dates and Shelf Life
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    How to Decipher Dog-Food Labels: Dates and Shelf Life

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    What Is a Product Code?

    A product code is a series of numbers and letters printed on the outer package of each product that a manufacturer produces to provide information about when the product was made.
     

    As part of the product code, products manufactured by The IAMS™ Company include a 'Best Used By' date, or the date at which the product is no longer considered fresh and should no longer be sold. This date is expressed in “ddmmyy” and “ddmmmyy” formats (line 1 below).
     

    The second line represents company internal information for use in traceability and inventory control (line 2).
     

    Depending upon the production line, pouch products might have code date information in a single or double line.

    By recognizing and understanding these codes, customers can make sure they are receiving a fresh product.

     

    What Is Shelf Life?

    Shelf life is the duration, measured in months, during which a product that is stored properly maintains its freshness. This means that if a product has a 16-month shelf life, it is fresh for up to 16 months from the date of manufacture.
     

    The shelf life for our dry dog and cat foods is 16 months. All canned and pouch formulas have a shelf life of 24 months. Biscuits have a 12-month shelf life, and sauce formulas have a 16-month shelf life.

     

    What Is the Proper Way to Store Dry and Canned Products?

    Unopened dry products are best stored off of the floor in a cool, dry place. Open bags of food should be stored in a clean, dry container with a tight seal. Dry products also might be frozen without loss of nutrients.
     

    Opened wet products are best kept refrigerated in tightly sealed containers for no more than three days after the can has been opened. Wet products should not be frozen in unopened cans or pouches. However, wet foods can be frozen if removed from the container, packed in freezer containers and frozen immediately.

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