Now that your dogs have been fed a natural diet for several or all of their years, you shouldn't be at all surprised if they enjoy a long life. They may well go past the average age for their breed, and beyond. It is known that small-sized dogs have a longer life expectancy than medium-sized dogs, medium dogs longer than large, large longer than giant. Now the different sections have full potential to exceed these accepted 'sell-by dates' of the modern era of feeding processed dog food. (Crossbreds will reflect their main breed in size and expected longevity.)

However, whilst the Species Appropriate Diet has been acclaimed by so many advocates world-wide to eradicate numerous ailments caused by inadequate nutrition, its affect on already initiated serious progressive disease can mostly only be considered to slow down the pace. Dogs who have previously suffered considerable trauma with resultant obvious compromised immune systems should not be taken for granted to make a total recovery just because they are now raw fed, and sadly those who do not will probably have reduced longevity as a result. The Diet is not a cure-all, but those serious diseases believed to be triggered by certain nutritional aspects are, of course, within its scope to keep the safety catch on those triggers.

It is thought that only several successive generations of natural feeding can hope to readdress genetic predisposition to serious disease, reversing the mutation that caused it in the first place, if you will, via totally healthy immune systems. However, in reality, this can only happen if all dogs in, say, a 4-generation pedigree are fed naturally. We are a long way off that!

As with very elderly people, very elderly raw fed dogs will need to have their diet tweaked to suit the winding down process of their twilight years. As they approach and pass the average lifespan for their type, two smaller meals per day, plus a 'blander' content will be required - less fat and less protein. Vegetable content can be slightly increased. At this time, teeth and body have become quite worn, and the dog will generally be looking after itself in everyday life - careful going up and down steps, getting into the car, going faster than a trot, laying down, etc., and being non-confrontational and less interactive with other dogs.

Whilst an Ancient should still be encouraged to enjoy a Species Appropriate Diet - after all, its got him this far - great consideration must be given to his ability to eat some of the components as time goes by. Chicken wings/legs/carcasses, fish and rabbit will eventually need to be very well broken up - into about one inch squares, with bone crushed, for a medium-sized dog - and harder bones removed completely, together with excess/tough skin and fat (breastbone and parson's nose for example). Lamb, pork and venison bones may simply be too hard to feed at all. Mincing meaty bones may be acceptable to an Ancient but taste/smell appears to change with very old age and sometimes they are averse to tucking into even small pieces of raw muscle meat, let alone sticky mince.

Rather than taking the easy way out and resorting to feeding processed dog food, every effort should be made to keep as many elements of the natural diet going as possible. The all-important chewing and ripping exercise has now stopped of course, but the nutritional benefits of chopped-up raw meaty bones are still there to keep digestive, immune and nervous systems as strong and healthy as possible. One way to get over the lack of appeal (should it occur) of raw food, is to smear with a small amount of canned dog food. A favourite of my 16 year old Siberian in this respect is the high moisture/low protein Cesar Senior menus in foil trays for small dogs. I use just half a tray to rub over the broken up raw meaty bones of her main evening meal to give them the taste/smell that does appear acceptable to her. Offal and muscle meat are acceptable when lightly cooked and chopped; raw egg when beaten and 'hidden' in veg.

Breakfast did cause a problem with this particular dog, wanting to eat but simply not desiring any 'wet' food at this time of day, even if coated. She now has a diced buffet pork pie, or cooked sausage or sausage roll, or any of our own left-over deli meats + wholegrain toast for this meal. But, hey, there is no comparison in the wild at this age; the most aged wolf has long since passed! Dry, cooked food is far from ideal of course and certainly not recommended as a staple diet, but it is still a world away from the dangers of kibble.

To assist the Ancient in the actual process of eating from his bowl, the bowl can be elevated so that it is level with the dog's elbows, or to a height he is most comfortable with. If he is apt to lose a foot on the floor surface whilst feeding, a non-slip mat can be used to support. The least strain on the dog's frame, the more enjoyable his meal will be, the more he can eat before tiring, and the prouder you will be of his continuing great age.

I have found quality magnetic collars to be worthy aids to the veteran working dogs when they finally retire, letting muscles down uniformly to the more sedate lifestyle, and minimising the effects of bone/cartilage/muscle degeneration. Periodic natural treatments such as Bowen Therapy are beneficial and those Ancients where musculo-skeletal disorders such as arthritis begin taking a firm hold and not responding to natural remedies, the tiniest daily amount of allopathic Metacam oral suspension offers acceptable control.

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