What age to start feeding "light/senior" of Canidae

[myandromeda]

Our dogs are 6 years old (this May). I didn't know when they are considered senior. Right now we are feeding them the adult size portion of 3-4 cups a day (they get 4 cups. 2 in the morning and 2 at night.) They could probably eat less, but I'm afraid to cut their food by so much! The bag says 1 - 1 2/3 for seniors. Just wanted some input from you guys. Thoughts?

[evilshiddenclaws]

if your dogs are rotties then 6 could be a good enough age for a senior food, it depends on the ingredients etc. my lurcher wasnt put onto a senior food until he was 9 but lurcher type dogs have a longer life span than rotties.

use your own descretion, if the food bag recomends that amount for the weight of your dogs start them off on that amount and if you feel they need more then put it up to the amount you feel your dogs need.

the amount to feed a dog is always an estimate because not every dog gets the same amount of exercise etc. my bag of food recomends i give him 1 1/2 cups twice a day but i give him 2 - 2 1/2 cups twice a day because he gets a lot of exercise.

its up to yourself, its your dog :D

[EmmysMom]

Emmy was on it when she was 3 because we were battling a weight issue. She did great on it, lost weight and looked wonderful!

[groupieindenial]

I don't believe in senior or less active foods, unless there is a medical reason you need to feed less protein, like if the dog is terminally ill or so old that they are about to keel over any day, and you want to be easy on the kidneys.

[myandromeda]

Originally Posted by groupieindenial

I don't believe in senior or less active foods, unless there is a medical reason you need to feed less protein, like if the dog is terminally ill or so old that they are about to keel over any day, and you want to be easy on the kidneys.

It's not a senior food, it's the all stages Canidae. It's just that the bag says that seniors should be getting less than adults (probably because they are less active.) Our dogs are starting to become a bit less active, so perhaps I should take that more as a clue rather then what age they actually are. I love when I answer my own question. LOL!

[brunie's mom]

Keep feeding the ALS Canidae.
Are your dogs overweight? Have they gained weight in the last year?
If they have not, then keep feeding them the same amount that you have been feeding.
How much do your dogs weigh?
Most inactive dogs would probably only need about 3 cups per day of Canidae...and stay a good weight.

Gina