Breed
Otterhound
AKC Grouping
Hound GroupTemperament
- even-tempered
- amiable
- boisterous
Demeanor
alert and responsiveChoosing the Best Dog Food for a Senior Otterhound
The Otterhound is often an even-tempered, amiable and boisterous breed. Their demeanor is often times described as alert and responsive. But as the dog ages and reaches its senior years, their temperament can become less predictable. While an otterhound typically needs regular exercise, as they get older their energy levels tend to gradually fade which can lead to obesity. A dutiful owner of an otterhound should take time to find the right dog food for a senior Otterhound to help keep energy levels up and their weight controlled.
How Breed History Plays a Role in Senior Otterhound Health Issues
The history of the Otterhound can be traced back to the late 18th century. Otters were a staple of diets in the late 18th century and the Otterhound was entrusted with hunting this food supply for humans. Second to the fall foxhunt, the British gentry assembled in the spring and summer months with the Otterhound for otter hunts. Given their stunning coats and strong torsos, the Otterhound was depicted in artworks as early as the 16th century. The Otterhound has an exceptionally keen sense of smell and can track otters from trails up to 72 hours old. No doubt these sturdy breeds were left to a diet of hunting spoils and table scraps if they were lucky. This would have been woefully inadequate for those Otterhounds suffering from sensitive stomachs.
Get Your Otterhound the Right Food
Energy
active
Grooming
a weekly good brushing
Training
typically stubborn
Shedding
occassionallyHelp Your Senior Otterhound Live a Full & Long Life
Since these dogs were specifically bred to hunt otters and not many other breeds of dogs were it would be safe to assume that the dog enjoyed the taste of his catch and probably ate some of what he caught to keep him motivated. The early owners of the Otterhounds wouldn't have known anything about food specific for dogs and expected their dogs to be hunters. The Otterhound may not have lived as long in years past, but it's important to note that your Otterhound can live as long as 13 years or more today. How? The key to helping a senior Otterhound live a full and long life all lies in selecting the best dog food for a senior Otterhound and making sure it gets proper exercise. The average weight of an Otterhound is 115 pounds (male), 80 pounds (female). If your senior Otterhound is falling outside of that range, you should first consider a better dog food that’s ideal for a senior Otterhound (like the dog food Spot & Tango offers). Then, make sure your dog is getting appropriate exercise.
The Best Dog Food for a Senior Otterhound
As your Otterhound ages and lifestyle changes so should the food that they eat. Starting off their life, the Otterhound needs special nutrients to grow, as it gets older these needs may change depending upon how active or inactive its lifestyle is. Your Otterhound will need special nutrients to grow, however, as it gets older the nutrients will likely change as your dog goes from active to less active. Mature Otterhound dogs need more oil such as fish oil in their diet to lubricate their bones versus protein as they slow down. Otterhounds are prone to getting cold so care must be taken in colder climates. You might want to wrap your Otterhound in a blanket or dress it in a sweater in order to keep it warm. Like most other dogs as they age they can develop hip problems as well as knee and joint issues. Their diet should take into consideration their senior age along with their activity levels. Well-balanced nutrient-based dog food can help relieve your aging dog's health issues such as arthritis.
Get Your Otterhound the Right FoodChoose Spot & Tango for Senior Otterhound Dog Food
Spot & Tango is on a mission to deliver the right dog food to every dog out there. That starts with a commitment to quality, so we use only whole, fresh, human grade ingredients like 100% real meat with no cheap fillers. That means we provide your dog with the high protein meals they crave without the complications of processed dog food, such as an abundance of sugar that can cause excess weight gain. We also use plenty of fruits, vegetables, and grains to give your dog the vitamin C, fiber, and calcium they need, in addition to other essential vitamins and nutrients. Each dog’s dietary needs is different, however, so we need to pinpoint your dog’s need with our proprietary survey. We analyze a variety factors like size, breed, and age in order to personalize a meal plan for your canine companion. Our menu of delicious, nutritious meals and our patented questionnaire are backed by nutritional and medical experts to provide comprehensive nutrition to any and all dogs, and we’ll deliver it right to your door so your dog is always full and happy.