Senior Dog: Simple Kitchen Foods for Senior Dog Health Problems

Senior Dogs: 7 Kitchen Remedies to Boost Mobility, Hearing, and Overall Health

Hello, pet parents! I’m Dr. Andrew Jones, and today I’m talking about some common problems that affect our senior dogs, like mobility issues, blindness, deafness, dental disease, and cognitive dysfunction. My own dog, Tula, is 13 years old now, and she’s experiencing all of these issues. In this blog, I’ll share my top kitchen remedies—simple, inexpensive ingredients you probably already have at home—that can help support your senior dog’s health. Let’s dive in!

Mobility Issues: Natural Help for Arthritis

Mobility issues are very common in older dogs, often caused by arthritis. Omega-3 fatty acids are a key nutrient that can naturally help your dog with arthritis and mobility issues. Here’s how you can add these to your dog’s diet:

• Olive Oil: A simple, affordable kitchen oil that’s high in omega-3 fatty acids. Add one teaspoon per 20 lbs of body weight daily, drizzled over your dog’s food.
• Sardines: Another excellent and inexpensive source of omega-3s and quality animal protein. Sardines also act as a natural anti-inflammatory, which helps reduce arthritis pain. Give your dog one sardine per 10-20 lbs of body weight daily.

These two ingredients are a great way to help support your senior dog’s joints while providing added protein to maintain muscle mass.

Hearing Loss: Boosting Ear Health

If your dog is losing their hearing, there’s a nutrient that might help—potassium. It’s essential for maintaining the inner ear’s fluid balance, which plays a role in hearing.

• Bananas: One of the highest sources of potassium. They’re safe for dogs and easy to incorporate into their diet. Give a quarter of a banana daily for a 20 lb dog and see if there’s any improvement after 30-60 days.

Eyesight: Improving Vision with Nutrient-Rich Foods

Loss of eyesight is another common issue for senior dogs, often due to cataracts. There are two beneficial carotenoids—lutein and zeaxanthin—that can support eye health.

• Kale: A superfood that’s rich in lutein, zeaxanthin, vitamins, and minerals. Give a quarter leaf of kale per 20 lbs of body weight daily. You can steam and finely chop the kale to mix into your dog’s food.
• Eggs: The egg yolk is another great source of lutein and zeaxanthin. One egg per day for a 20 lb dog is a good addition, and it’s a complete protein too.

Dental Disease: Easy Topical Treatment

Dental disease affects many senior dogs, including Tula. One simple, natural remedy you can find in your kitchen is coconut oil. It’s a great topical antibacterial and has been shown to help reduce plaque and gingivitis.

• Coconut Oil: Rub a small amount of coconut oil directly onto your dog’s gums, focusing on the back premolars and molars. Do this twice daily for a month and see if there’s improvement in their gum health and breath.

Cognitive Dysfunction: Supporting the Aging Brain

Cognitive dysfunction is unfortunately common in aging dogs. There are some simple dietary additions you can make to support their brain health.

• Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Both olive oil and sardines are excellent sources of omega-3s, which can help reduce brain inflammation and improve cognitive function.
• Coconut Oil: The MCT oil in coconut oil provides an alternative energy source for the brain, potentially improving cognitive function. Give one teaspoon per 20 lbs of body weight daily. This is easy to add, as most dogs love the taste of coconut oil.

Pain Relief: Natural Anti-Inflammatories

For pain, particularly from arthritis, you can use a common kitchen spice—turmeric.

• Turmeric: It contains curcumin, a well-known anti-inflammatory. Start with a quarter teaspoon per 20 lbs of body weight twice daily and mix it into your dog’s food. This may help alleviate arthritis pain over time.

What I’m Doing for Tula

For Tula, I’m focusing on her specific needs:

• For her eyesight, I’m adding eggs daily, as she’s not too keen on kale.
• For her joints, I’m using sardines as a treat, which also gives her omega-3s and added protein.
• For her dental health and brain function, she’s getting coconut oil—both topically for her teeth and a teaspoon daily.

I’m planning to follow these changes for a month and then assess her progress. I’ll be sure to share the results with you all in a future update!

If you have an aging dog with some of these health conditions, consider using some of these kitchen remedies. Focus on the most pressing issues affecting your dog, whether it’s arthritis, vision, or dental health. With these simple additions, you might see some wonderful improvements in your dog’s quality of life.

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