Breed
Dalmatian
AKC Grouping
Non-Sporting GroupTemperament
- dignified
- smart
- outgoing
Demeanor
alert and responsiveChoosing the Best Dog Food for a Senior Dalmatian
The Dalmatian, whose ancestral roots hail from the province of Dalmatian in modern-day Croatia, has been prized as a watchdog or hunting dog throughout history. In the early 1800s, partially due to their distinctive brown or black spots, Dalmatians became a status symbol among the wealthier circles in England, most commonly found trotting alongside coaches and guarding the coach house. Due to their strong hunting instinct, Dalmatians were commonly used as bird dogs, retrievers, and trail hounds during the sporting outings of the elite.
How Breed History Plays a Role in Senior Dalmatian Health Issues
Despite their elevated status, Dalmatians likely did not have the type of diet that would keep them healthy into their senior years. They most assuredly didn’t have specially formulated dog food for senior Dalmatians. In fact, aside from guarding horses in the stables of coach houses all over England, they subsisted primarily on the rats and mice they could catch in horse stables--not a Dalmatian’s ideal senior dog food. Later, Dalmatians gained a special place as firehouse dogs throughout the United States at the turn of the twentieth century, when fire engines were still pulled by horses. Aside from guarding the stables, they could easily be trained to run in front of the fire engines to clear a path and make it easier and quicker for the firefighters to reach the fires. Although they were a valued and respected presence in the firehouse, their diet probably stayed very much the same throughout their life. Whether a Dalmatian puppy or a senior Dalmatian, the dog food the Dalmatian received likely stayed the same. Even as the horse-drawn fire engines were replaced with motorized options, the Dalmatian remained an iconic mascot of firehouses and firefighters all across the country. The Dalmatians’ distinctive looks and high intelligence level have also brought them into the spotlight from time to time. Highly trainable, Dalmatians have been extremely successful in circus performances across the country. Their easy-to-spot charm has even inspired a classic illustrated performance in Disney’s “101 Dalmatians”, and the Dalmatian Marshall from Nickolodean’s “Paw Patrol” has reinvented the role of Dalmatian as “fire dog” for a whole new generation. Their popularity and their reputation as a relatively healthy and easy to keep dog have made them highly sought-after. However, as with all dogs, breed-specific care must be taken with these lovable canines, especially in regards to dog food for senior Dalmatians.
Get Your Dalmatian the Right Food
Energy
energetic
Grooming
a weekly good brushing
Training
willing to follow
Shedding
frequentHelp Your Senior Dalmatian Live a Full & Long Life
While Dalmatians are vital, athletic dogs filled with energy and stamina, their owners need to pay specific attention to what type of dog food they are fed. When Dalmatians are puppies, they need dog food that promotes slow, steady growth— rapid growth in Dalmatians is linked to bone and joint problems, which are already common within the breed. Providing high-quality dog food from an early age may prevent certain issues entirely. Even greater care must be taken with an elderly Dalmatian’s diet. Purebred Dalmatians, for example, are particularly susceptible to hip dysplasia, which may cause limping, fatigue, and trouble standing up. It is imperative to make sure that a senior Dalmatian’s dog food contains a high level of protein but is also low in fat and calories to prevent excessive weight gain, which could put more strain on a Dalmatian’s hips and exacerbate the problem. Paying particularly close attention to weight gain is also important in preventing bone spurs and lessening the impact of arthritis in Dalmatians as well. All of these factors make it imperative to have a healthy dog food for your elderly Dalmatian. Further, just like humans, Dalmatians have a history of developing hyperuricemia as they get older, which causes gout, kidney, and bladder stones. The purines that cause these conditions are found in both organ meats and animal byproducts— both of which are common ingredients in many big-brand dog foods on the market. Therefore, it is essential for the owners of elderly Dalmatians to be diligent about what type of dog food they choose. In short, Dalmatian owners should choose a senior dog food as their dog becomes elderly in order to alleviate a myriad of complications.
The Best Dog Food for a Senior Dalmatian
A well-balanced nutrient based dog food can help relieve an aging Dalmatian's health issues such as arthritis. Feeding your Dalmatian a well-balanced nutrient-based dog food is the best option if you want a healthy and happy dog. Starting off their life, the Dalmatian requires special nutrients to grow, as it gets older these needs may change depending upon how active or inactive its lifestyle is. As your Dalmatian ages and lifestyle changes so should the food that they eat. As with any dog, hip problems and knee and joint issues can all develop in older dogs. Their diet should take into consideration their senior age along with their activity levels. Most dogs can develop hip problems and knee and joint issues as they age no matter the size of weight. Smaller dogs such as toy breeds may be subject to brittle bones as their bones are smaller than those of larger dogs. A portion of a well-balanced dog food may help relieve your Dalmatians health issues such as arthritis and may give them more bounce in their step.
Get Your Dalmatian the Right FoodChoose Spot & Tango for Senior Dalmatian Dog Food
Over many centuries, Dalmatians have rightfully gained a reputation as protectors. While alert and standoffish around strangers, they are dependable, loyal, bright, and loving members of the family. As hunting dogs, they may not always be picky about their food, but their owners need to make sure that they make the right choices for their health. At Spot & Tango, we make it our mission to provide the very best human-grade food, developed by veterinarians and animal nutritionists and specifically customized for your senior Dalmatian. All of our dog food, including our senior dog food, is locally-sourced and cooked in small batches in our USDA-approved New York kitchen, shipped directly to your door in a matter of days, and ready to serve. Start your risk-free two-week trial today to see the difference that Spot & Tango can make for your Dalmatian. When you nourish your dog with Spot & Tango’s senior dog food, you can help ensure better days, longer years, and a happier Dalmatian.