What Is A Senior Dog? The age at which your dog becomes a senior varies with the breed and the individual dog. For small breeds up to 20 lb.--approximately 7 years. For medium breeds from 20 to 90 lb.--approximately 6 years. For giant breeds over 90 lb.--approximately 5 years. Some of the changes associated with your dog's aging process are visible (graying muzzle, weight change, less playful), while changing nutritional requirements are not. Many veterinarians and nutritionists believe the nutrient requirements of your senior dog are much different than when if was a frisky puppy or active adult dog. By switching to Natural Choice Senior when your pet reaches his senior years, you will help to provide it with the optimum nutrition to help make his mature and senior years more enjoyable. Great Taste: Dental problems and decreased appetite, as a result of the older dog's reduced ability to smell and taste, may lead to inadequate food intake. The once eager eater gradually becomes a finicky eater with the potential for nutritional deficiencies. The unique aroma of Natural Choice Senior, plus its great taste, will help to ensure the nutritional well-being of even the most finicky dog. Unique Shape--Easy to Chew: Adult foods are typically made hard and crunchy, but as dogs get older they tend to have loose or missing teeth and tender gums. Eating a hard food can be difficult. Natural Choice Senior was designed to be easier to chew because of its unique shape and formulation. Reduced Protein and Phosphorous Levels: Your senior dog has no requirement for the high levels of protein usually associated with growth or high activity. Most researchers recommend moderate levels or protein and phosphorous to avoid dietary excesses. Natural Choice Senior is formulated to contain a moderate level of highly digestible protein. Because of its high digestibility, the senior dog can readily utilize this protein to help maintain muscle tone, lean body mass, and good skin and coat. Natural Choice Senior contains highly digestible chicken meal and egg protein, rich sources of essential amino acids required the senior dog. It does not contain animal by-products which may contain a higher portion of non-essential amino acids. High Linoleic Acid Levels For Healthy Skin and Coat, Naturally Preserved: Canine nutritionists who specialize in seniors, recommend ample amounts of linoleic acid for proper maintenance of skin and coat and overall good health. To ensure high levels of linoleic acid with unnecessary calories, Natural Choice Senior is formulated with a blend of poultry fat and sunflower oil, both rich in linoleic acid and both naturally preserved. Natural Choice Senior contains 3.5% linoleic acid. Linoleic acid is the only fatty acid universally accepted by nutritionists and veterinarians as essential in maintaining suppleness of the skin to minimize dryness and flakiness, often increased by the aging process. Vitamins: Natural Choice Senior contains moderately high levels of vitamins A, E and K, and the B-complex vitamins. A senior dog's metabolism and digestive processes have slowed in comparison to that of an active mature dog or puppy. Reduced absorption of these important vitamins often results in poor appetites, dull coats and flaky skin. With its great taste, unique shape and increased vitamin and mineral levels, Natural Choice Senior will help your dog remain a healthy, active dog with a coat that shines. Chelated Minerals for Added Health: For your older dog, it's not enough for a diet to contain the necessary minerals. They must be absorbed to do any good. Chelated minerals get into your dog's system more efficiently. By providing chelated zinc and manganese (along with other important minerals), Natural Choice Senior may help your senior dog stay healthy longer. Zinc is important to your dog's immune system, and at the same time, helps maintain a healthy skin and coat. A Unique Fiber System: As your dog gets older, maintaining colon motility is important. Containing a special blend of rice bran and oatmeal--rich sources of fiber--Nutro Natural Choice Senior is formulated to help maintain nutrient absorption and colon motility. Another important benefit: lower stool volume. Not only does that mean easier cleanup for you, it means a healthy environment for your dog.
Animal feeding tests using Association of American Feed Control Officials procedures substantiate that Nutro Natural Choice Senior provides complete and balanced nutrition for adult cat maintenance.
Ingredients
Ground rice, chicken meal, rice bran, oatmeal, poultry fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols, a source of natural vitamin E), sunflower oil (preserved with mixed tocopherols, a source of natural vitamin E), natural flavors, oat bran, dried egg product, potassium chloride, choline chloride, dried kelp, iron sulfate, zinc sulfate, ascorbic acid (source of vitamin C), zinc proteinate, vitamin E supplement, manganese proteinate, manganous oxide, niacin, glucosamine hydrochloride, chondroitin sulfate, calcium pantothenate, vitamin A supplement, copper sulfate, copper proteinate, vitamin B12 supplement, biotin, vitamin D3 supplement, riboflavin (source of vitamin B2), thiamine mononitrate (source of vitamin B1), pyridoxine ;hydrochloride, sodium selenite, calcium iodate, folic acid, menadione sodium bisulfite complex (source of vitamin K activity).
Guaranteed Analysis
Crude protein (min.) 20%, crude fat (min.) 10%, crude fiber (max.) 4%, moisture (max.) 10%, linoleic acid (min.) 3.5%, calcium (min.) 0.9%, calcium (max.) 1.2%, phosphorous (min.) 0.7%, phosphorous (max.) 1.0%, sodium (max.) 0.30%, manganese (max.) 40 mg./kg., zinc (min.) 250 mg./kg., vitamin A (min.) 13,000 IU/kg, vitamin E (min.) 250 IU/kg., thiamine (min.) 10 mg./kg., riboflavin (B2) (min.) 6 mg./kg., vitamin B6 (min.) 10 mg., vitamin K* (min.) 2 mg./kg., ascorbic acid* (min.) 60 mg./kg. *Not recognized as an essential nutrient by the AAFCO Cat Food Nutrient Profiles.
100% satisfaction guaranteed. If for any reason you are dissatisfied with this product, return the unused portion along with the information contained within the dotted panel on the bag to your Nutro retailer for replacement or refund.