Foods to Keep Your Dog Healthy into Old Age

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, feeding your dog the “appropriate food” is one of the top four requirements in their Guidelines for Responsible Pet Ownership. This means that choosing premium, natural dog foods not only maintains proper balance for your furry pal’s overall health, but these foods have distinct health advantages that help them live longer and happier lives. 

This article discusses the best dog foods for longevity, in hopes of helping you and your dog live long, fulfilling lives together.

Which Nutrients to Dogs Need to Stay Healthy in Old Age?

Scientists and veterinarians have been studying dog nutrition and digestion for decades. What they’ve discovered is that our canine friends need several kinds of nutrients to survive. 

In a nutshell, these nutrients include: 

• Amino acids from high-quality proteins
• Fatty acids
• Healthy carbohydrates
• Vitamins
• Minerals
• And of course, water
  

Research suggests that protein should make up 10% - 50% of your dog's diet. But because our canine friends are omnivorous animals, they don’t need to eat strictly meat to achieve their protein intake (though they’d likely choose meat over a plant-based diet, if given the choice).

It’s important to remember that each dog is unique, and their nutritional requirements will vary depending on their breed, size, age, and other biological factors. Checking the nutrition panel on the back of your dog's food is a great start to choosing the best food for your canine friend. 

Talk with your veterinarian about the optimal diet for your dog's needs based on any existing health issues they have.

How to Read Pet Food Labels (It's Extremely Confusing)

The way a bag of dog food label reads has a lot to do with what's actually in the food itself. According to the FDA, there are a few basic rules that standardize the naming process of dog foods: 

• The 95% rule 
• The 25% rule 
• The “With” rule 
• The “Flavor” rule

Here’s what these mean… 

1. The 95% Rule of Pet Food Labels

This means that the named ingredient (what's written on the front of the label) must be at least 95% of the total product. 

For example: If a dog food option is called “Turkey for dogs”, then at least 95% of its ingredients must actually come from turkey. 

It’s the same for dog foods that have two animal ingredients listed on the label, such as “Chicken and Liver Dog Food”. In this case, the two named ingredients must make up 95% of the total weight, with the predominant named ingredient listed first. 

The other 5% is mostly made up of vitamins and minerals, though some companies may use it for other ingredients. 

2. The 25% Rule of Pet Food Labels

The 25% rule, also known as “The Dinner Rule”, comes into play when the named ingredient falls below 95%.  

In this case, the dog food product must include a descriptive term, like “Dinner”, “Formula”, “Platter”, “Nuggets”, or “Entree” on the front of the label. It also means that the named ingredient, or ingredients, must comprise at least 25% of the total product. 

The issue here is that the named ingredient, like “Lamb Formula for Dogs”, only requires one-fourth of the volume to be comprised of lamb. So, in effect, the main ingredient may not actually be lamb at all, but a less nutritive ingredient like corn.

4. The “With” Rule in Pet Food Labels

The “With” rule, also known as the 3% rule, dramatically changes what is actually in your dog food. 

For example: Do you see the difference between “Beef Dog Food” and “Dog Food with Beef”? 

Without knowing this rule, it’s easy to assume they’re the same. But the truth is, the “Dog Food with Beef” is only required to have 3% of the named ingredient, beef. Whereas, “Beef Dog Food” actually contains 95% of the named ingredient. Huge difference! 

5. The “Flavor” Rule in Pet Food Labels

The “Flavor” rule doesn’t require a specific percentage. 

Instead, a product labeled “Savory Beef Flavor” doesn’t actually have to have any measurable amount of beef. Instead, it just needs to contain something that can trace to the “Beef Flavoring”. 

This also means that the word “Flavor” should appear on the bag in the same font size, style, and color as the word “Beef”. 

Believe it or not, these rules are important for all pet owners to know. Not only do they help inform you about what’s actually in your dog's food, but they illustrate how some dog food companies can be a bit deceitful. 

The good news is that the pet food industry is highly regulated. Without these rules, we may never have known what was actually in our dog's food. 

Unhealthy Ingredients to Avoid in Dog Foods

Proper dog nutrition is achieved through whole foods and high-quality sources of protein. This means the healthiest dog foods will NOT include ingredients like:

• Corn (or Corn Wheat) –– Turns directly into sugar in a dog's body
• Wheat –– Considered a top dog food allergy 
• Soy –– Known to cause endocrine disorders 
• Melamine –– A type of plastic that contains nitrogen
• Food Dyes or Corn Syrup –– High glycemic index, adds no nutritional value
• Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) –– A flavor enhancer that adds no nutritional value
• Sodium Hexametaphosphate –– May cause adverse effects 
• Propylene Glycol –– Artificial additive 
• Carrageenan –– Can cause inflammation and toxicity 
• BHA, BHT –– Artificial preservatives
• Ethoxyquin — Artificial preservative, also utilized as a pesticide

Other ingredients that raise a few eyebrows are meat by-products, or “Meat Meal”. This is where manufacturers will render mammal tissues like blood, hair, hoof, horn, hide trimmings, manure, stomach, and rumen contents into their dog food. What’s worse, manufacturers don’t have to disclose the other mammals they might use in their “meat meal”. 

Is There Dog Food That Makes Dogs Live Longer?

The truth is that “Best Dog Food” is a relative phrase. 

The key here is to look for dog foods that don’t contain the unnecessary, unhealthy ingredients listed in the section below (fillers, preservatives, flavor enhancers, and so forth). 

The best dog foods are almost entirely made up of high quality meats, whole fruits, vegetables, vitamins, and minerals. Consult with your veterinarian to see if your dog has specific dietary needs or deficiencies. 

While there are guidelines we need to follow to ensure our canine friends are getting the proper nutrition they need to survive, some dogs may need a little more fat or a few more vitamins and minerals than others. 

It all boils down to finding the healthiest dog food or the most nutritious dog food that offers your pet a proper and balanced diet. That said, here is a list of ways you can help your dog live longer: 

• Provide good, clean water 
• Avoid putting chemicals on your dog (e.g. toxic grooming products, unnecessary flea or tick topicals, etc.) 
• Avoid antibiotics (unless they’re absolutely necessary) 
• Practice good dog dental hygiene 
• Maintain your dog’s weight (keep them lean with daily exercise) 
• Don’t over-vaccinate 
• Provide joint support (e.g. glucosamine, Omega fatty acids, high-quality CBD oil, etc.)

How Much Longer Does a Dog Live if Fed Properly?

Feeding your dog a balanced, nutritious diet can add years to their life. Studies suggest that dogs fed a high-quality diet may live up to two years longer than those on poor-quality food. Proper nutrition helps maintain a healthy weight, supports immune function, and reduces the risk of conditions like diabetes and arthritis.

Along with regular vet checkups and exercise, a well-rounded diet keeps dogs active and feeling their best as they age. Small changes, like switching to whole food ingredients and avoiding fillers, can make a big difference in their longevity and overall well-being.

Conclusion

The most important way you can keep your furry pal around is through a clean and healthy diet. While there aren't foods that will help your dog live longer, there are certainly foods to avoid that could make your dog's life shorter. 

Feel free to reach out to us if you have questions. We’d love to hear from you! 

References:

https://www.nap.edu/resource/10668/dog_nutrition_final_fix.pdf

https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/outbreaks-and-advisories/fda-alerts-pet-owners-and-veterinarians-about-potentially-toxic-levels-vitamin-d-33-varieties-hills