Caring for an elderly dog requires slightly different requirements than caring for pupply or younger, adult dog. Exercise and food requirements need to be adjusted, such as perhaps changing your feeding times to 2 or even 3 times a day with smaller portions, rather than one large meal. Walks may have to be shortened and slowed down, as joints and muscles begin to ache more often too.

Depending on the breed and the size of your pet, the aging of dogs can vary. A small breed usually lives longer than a large breed, and therefore larger dogs tend to hit "senior citizen status" sooner - usually around the age of 7 or 8.

How can you tell if your dog is entering his golden years? Some signs are graying around the muzzle, decrease in mobility, and sometimes weight-loss is noticed by the owner. One other sign that some people pick up on is that their dog doesn't look as well groomed as they used to. However, the good news is that proper nutrition can make a huge impact on how well your dog ages. Here are some tips to keep in mind when feeding your elderly dog:

1. For those that prepare their pet home-cooked meals, stick to medium fat cuts of meat that are easy to digest such as fish and poultry. Keep beef products to a minimum.

2. Your dog may also have trouble chewing bones (for those on a BARF diet). Try using chicken wings to see if that helps. The bones are softer and smaller, making it easier to chew. Soaking the wings in apple cider vinegar overnight is also a good option since this makes the bones more rubbery and much easier to bite through. If your dog still has a problem though, you will need to stop supplying bones and make sure you brush his teeth a couple of times a week.

3. Older dogs sometimes have an increased appetite, so make sure you are providing enough food. People think they should cut back on the amount of food, whereas it's usually the amount of fat and carbohydrates that you should cut back on, especially if your dog is over-weight and not actively mobile.

4. Ensure that drinking water is available at all times.

5. Keep in mind the importance of giving him extra vitamins and supplements. As a dog ages, their bodies may not be able to absorb enough nutrients directly from food. Supplements are a good alternative and easy to find at any pet food store. An excellent choice is to use the Only Natural Pet Super Daily Canine Multi-Vitamin & Mineral.

6. If you have an elderly dog that is lean and needs some additional calories, try supplying his diet with a bit of extra chicken or turkey fat. One teaspoon for a small dog and 3 to 4 teaspoons for a large dog should help. Oils, such as Safflower oil or olive oil also help to improve dry skin.

7. Some older dogs develop constipation. Adding a bit of mineral oil and/or bran to their food should do much to relieve this problem.