The 9 Best Senior Dog Food
- June 11, 2023
- By Dr. Barry Buttler
The aging process in dogs is characterized by a gradual reduction in physiological processes, similar to humans. As dogs mature, their enthusiasm for exercise may diminish, warranting additional care for their overall health.
One of the finest things you can do to extend the life of your senior dog is to alter their dietary requirements accordingly.
Puppies have unique nutritional needs in their first several months of life to support their rapid development. Adjusting the diet of older dogs is essential to support proper nutrient digestion and utilization.
Coping with this stage of your dog's life may be arduous, and recognizing the need for change can be challenging.
BestForPets (bestforpets.org) has developed a list to make the move a bit less difficult, as it is the best thing for them and keeps them here longer. Here are our evaluations of the best senior dog food.
Deborah R. Fletcher (DVM)
VeterinarianThe information provided is current and up-to-date, in line with the latest research conducted in the field of veterinary medicine.
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VICTOR Senior Weight Dry Dog Food – Best Value
The premium formula of VICTOR Purpose Senior Healthy Dog Food is formulated to provide senior canines with optimal nutrition.
The nutritional needs of aging canines change, and this formula is designed to meet those needs without exceeding your budget. The likelihood of weight gain increases in senior dogs who lead a sedentary life.
This supplement was developed to aid with weight management by stimulating fat metabolism. The formula’s 78% high-quality bovine protein helps people gain muscle and is a good source of amino acids.
In addition to aiding in weight management, this supplement contains glucosamine and chondroitin to promote hip and joint health over the long term. This is especially advantageous for joint dysplasia-prone strains.
Regardless of a dog’s breed, age, or activity level, the VICTOR kibble’s exclusive VPRO blend is formulated to bring out his or her full genetic potential.
It contains a unique combination of dietary supplements, vitamins, and minerals that promote overall health and wellness. This gluten-free formulation also contains L-Carnitine, which promotes lean muscle growth and aids in weight maintenance.
Every container of VICTOR kibble is proudly manufactured in our Texas facility using ingredients sourced from reputable suppliers within a day’s drive.
In conclusion, VICTOR Purpose Senior Healthy Dog Food is an excellent option for senior canines who require a nutrient-dense, cost-effective formula that promotes weight management, joint health, and overall health.
Reduce fat weight
Joint wellness
78% meat protein
Budget-friendly
Contains grains with an excessive amount of carbohydrates
Nulo Freestyle Senior Food for Dry Dogs
Nulo offers a senior dog food that is specially formulated to enhance the health and well-being of your dog as it ages.
This dry dog food contains a special balance of ingredients designed to provide senior canines with optimal nutrition, including trout as the primary protein source for maintaining muscular development and mobility.
Its high meat and low carbohydrate content distinguishes Nulo’s senior dog food from other products on the market.
This dish is full in flavor and filled with amino acids thanks to the 74% animal-based protein it contains. In addition, it is grain-free and contains probiotic cultures that promote digestion and a healthy intestinal flora.
Nulo’s senior dog food formulation features L-Carnitine, a vital ingredient that supports weight management and metabolism health.
This component is very useful for elderly dogs because of the need of keeping their lipid metabolism in check. The mix also includes Glucosamine and Chondroitin, two substances that help keep aging dogs’ hips and joints healthy.
Their manufacturing practices reflect Nulo’s commitment to providing pet nutrition of the highest quality. Nulo takes pride in producing all of their pet food products in the United States, where they maintain strict quality and safety standards.
Nulo’s Trout and Sweet Potato Recipe for Senior canines is a nutrient-dense, grain-free, and high-protein dog food that promotes joint support, digestive health, and overall well-being in senior canines.
Nulo is a fantastic option for pet owners who wish to provide their senior canines with optimal nutrition due to its unique combination of ingredients and commitment to quality manufacturing.
Probiotics for digestive support
Calcium and phosphorus promote bone health
Helps support joints
Grain-free
Free of chicken and eggs
Expensive
Blue Buffalo Senior Food for Dry Dogs
Blue Buffalo is a pet food brand committed to manufacturing safe and nutritious food for canines of all ages, including senior dogs. The “Life Protection Formula” line of dog food from Blue Buffalo is expertly crafted to promote the health and vitality of senior dogs.
The primary constituent in Blue Buffalo’s senior dog food is deboned chicken of the highest quality, which provides the necessary protein to maintain energy levels and keep senior canines active.
This natural dry dog food is made with premium ingredients and contains no chicken or poultry by-products, maize, wheat, or soy, ensuring its safety and nutritional value for your companion.
In addition to essential proteins and carbohydrates, Blue Buffalo’s senior dog food contains glucosamine and chondroitin to support joint health and mobility. The aging process can have a significant impact on joint health in dogs, making it an important consideration.
In addition, the LifeSource Bits in Blue Buffalo’s senior dog food are designed to promote a sound immune system, specific nutritional requirements at this stage of life, and a good oxidative balance.
These treats contain a precise combination of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that nourish and maintain the health of your companion.
Overall, Blue Buffalo’s senior dog food is a wholesome and secure option for geriatric canines. It is available in a 30-pound container of Chicken and Brown Rice flavor, providing your furry companion with a complete and balanced diet.
Authentic meat as the primary element
Excellent grade protein
Supports joint health
Zero corn and wheat
High nutritional density is challenging for sensitive stomachs
More pricey product
Blue Buffalo Grain-Free Senior Dry Dog Food
The Blue Buffalo dry dog food is a sophisticated pet meal that has been crafted to emulate the evolutionary diet of wolves and cater to the specific dietary needs of senior dogs.
The formula is grain-free and protein-rich, with deboned chicken and turkey meal serving as the primary protein sources.
In addition to nutritious grains and nutrient-rich ingredients such as blueberries, carrots, cranberries, and sweet potatoes, the recipe is packed with healthy grains and ingredients.
The incorporation of Lifesource Bits is among the most notable aspects of this senior dog food.
Blends of antioxidant-rich vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants formulated by holistic veterinarians and animal nutritionists to support immune health, life stage requirements, and a healthy oxidative balance.
Blue Wilderness senior dog food contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to promote healthy skin and grooming, in addition to supporting joint health and maintaining an ideal body weight.
This recipe does not contain any artificial flavors, preservatives, chicken (or poultry) by-product meals, maize, or wheat.
Blue Buffalo’s dry dog food is a natural, premium pet food that has been meticulously formulated to satisfy the specific dietary needs of senior canines. It is highly recommended for dog owners who place a premium on their pet’s health and wellbeing.
Veterinarian and nutritionist advice
Grain-free
Antioxidant enriching
Healthy complex carbohydrates
Contains tapioca starch
Nutro Wholesome Essentials Dry Dog Food for Seniors
Nutro Wholesome dog food is a premium pet diet that emphasizes the essential proteins required by all canines, making it an ideal option for senior dogs.
This dehydrated meal begins with real chicken as its initial ingredient, then moves on to chicken meal, barley, brown rice, and sweet potato.
One of the most notable features of this senior dog chow is the addition of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.
These vital nutrients promote healthy epidermis and preserve the silky suppleness of your dog’s coat, ensuring that they always look and feel their best.
Nutro Wholesome dog food is enhanced with essential antioxidants to support the immune system of your senior dog, making it an essential part of their diet.
In addition, the food is made with non-GMO ingredients and does not contain chicken by-product meal, maize, wheat, or soy, ensuring that your dog receives only the finest ingredients.
In addition to natural fiber for healthy digestion, Nutro Natural Choice Senior Dry Dog Food is optimal for senior canines with sensitive stomachs.
This premium pet food is prepared in the United States using the world’s finest ingredients, ensuring that your senior dog receives only the best.
Nutro Wholesome dog food is an excellent option for pet owners who place a premium on their dog’s health and wellbeing.
It is an excellent choice for senior canines that require a specialized diet due to its premium ingredients, essential nutrients, and high-quality protein source.
Non-GMO ingredients
Healthy omega fatty acids
Made in America
No ingredients that assist digestion
Wellness Complete Health Senior Food for Dry Dogs
Wellness Total Wellness Senior dog food is a premium pet food that distinguishes itself from other brands by prioritizing the use of the finest ingredients feasible.
They prepare their cuisine in tiny batches with ingredients of the utmost quality, such as deboned chicken and protein-rich barley.
The formula contains glucosamine and chondroitin to support the joint health of senior canines, allowing their hips and other joints to remain flexible for as long as possible.
In addition, the formulation contains unique ingredients such as taurine, which promotes a healthy heart in aged canines, and an extract from the Yucca schidigera plant, which reduces unpleasant odors in your dog’s feces.
This formulation also includes green tea extracts, which provide essential antioxidants that combat free radicals and prevent the disintegration of your dog’s cells.
Wellness Complete Health Senior dog food is nutritionally robust, providing a balanced blend of nature’s finest ingredients that have been meticulously chosen to nourish and support your dog’s health.
This high-protein dry dog food for senior dogs contains glucosamine for healthy joints, antioxidants for a strong immune system, vitamins for healthy eyes and teeth, omega fatty acids for healthy skin and coat, and probiotics and taurine for a healthy heart.
Not only is this pet food devoid of artificial colors and preservatives, but it also contains no wheat, wheat gluten, maize, soy, or chicken by-products.
Wellness Total Wellness Each regimen is prepared in their state-of-the-art facility using only the highest-quality ingredients sourced from around the world.
It is an excellent option for pet owners who place a high value on their dog’s health and wellbeing, as it provides a premium meal that suits the specific nutritional needs of senior canines.
Lessens feces odor
New formulation
Organic green tea extracts
Taurine to assist heart
Some questionable additives
CANIDAE Senior Grain-Free PURE Dry Dog Food
Canidae's Grain-Free dog food is a great option for senior canines who need a basic yet nourishing diet.
The nine simple components in this high-quality dog chow include nothing that might harm a dog’s digestive tract, such as maize, soy, grain, wheat, or other artificial additives.
The primary source of protein in this recipe is real chicken, which is combined with nutritious ingredients such as sweet potatoes, garbanzo beans, and peas to create a delectable flavor that senior canines will adore.
This dog food is formulated with antioxidants and probiotics to support a healthy digestive system and immune system, and it also contains a combination of vitamins and minerals to support a healthy skin, coat, and joints.
Complete and balanced, Canidae’s Grain-Free dog food contains all the essential nutrients for mature canines, including senior dogs with sensitive stomachs.
It’s a high-end pet food that’s excellent for both pets and the environment, thanks to its use of premium proteins and regeneratively farmed components.
Canidae’s Grain-Free dog food is an excellent option for dog owners who place a premium on their pet’s health and wellbeing.
The simple yet nourishing formula, devoid of harmful additives, provides a delectable flavor that senior dogs will enjoy while supporting their digestive and immune health.
Contains probiotics
Simple nine-ingredient dish
Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids
More costly
No disclosure of the food manufacturer
Merrick Senior Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
Merrick is a manufacturer of premium pet food that prioritizes the use of high-quality ingredients.
This formula for dry dog food for senior canines features deboned poultry as the first ingredient, which is an excellent source of protein for older dogs.
The second ingredient in this dish is sweet potatoes, a nutritious source of carbohydrates. They provide vital vitamins and minerals that promote a robust immune system and general wellbeing.
This grain-free dog food is designed to help older canines maintain a healthy weight by containing fewer calories and fat. The L-carnitine in it is great for your metabolism.
With 77% of its protein derived from animal sources, this high-protein dog food provides the optimal balance of protein and healthful lipids, promoting optimal weight maintenance and increased energy.
This senior dog food contains omega fatty acids, which promote healthy epidermis and a glossy coat, as well as glucosamine and chondroitin, which support healthy hips and joints.
It contains no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives and is made with genuine, whole foods sourced from producers Merrick knows and trusts.
One of the primary selling factors for this dog food by Merrick is that it is prepared in small batches in their kitchen, with an emphasis on freshness and care. In addition, the cuisine is gluten-free and contains only whole cereals.
Merrick Senior Dry Dog Food is a premium pet food that prioritizes high-quality ingredients, providing aging canines with the essential nutrients they require to maintain optimal health and wellbeing.
Contains glucosamine and chondroitin
Sweet potatoes as carbohydrate
Gluten-free
No artificial flavors or preservatives
Not a formula for weight maintenance
Made in America but without American ingredients
Some dogs don’t tolerate well
Eukanuba Large Breed Senior Dry Dog Food
The Eukanuba Senior Large Breed Dry Dog Food is an excellent option for pet owners who prioritize the health and wellbeing of their senior canines.
This recipe was developed with the specific goal of giving senior large-breed dogs with the necessary nutrition they need to live long, healthy lives.
The dog food contains high-quality proteins, glucosamine, chondroitin, DHA, antioxidants, and carbohydrates that protect a number of your dog’s vital organs. This dish is appropriate for senior canines over seven years of age and over 55 pounds.
This dog food’s addition of Eukanuba 3D DentaDefense, which reduces tartar accumulation on your dog’s teeth and gums, is one of its primary benefits.
This substance contributes to the preservation of their oral health, which is essential for senior canines. The formula contains optimal proportions of lipids and carbohydrates to sustain your senior dog’s daily activity.
It is also rich in chondroitin sulfate and contains 50 percent more glucosamine than Eukanuba Adult Dry Dog Food for Medium Breeds, which helps keep joints mobile and supports the development of slender musculature in large dog breeds.
With added DHA and antioxidants, Eukanuba Senior Large Breed Dry Dog Food promotes optimal cognitive function in senior dogs.
The food’s assured levels of antioxidants help sustain your dog’s natural defenses, promoting his long-term health and wellbeing.
Overall, Eukanuba Senior Large Breed Dry Dog Food is a premium pet food that provides the essential nutrients senior canines of large breeds need to maintain optimal health and wellbeing.
Pet owners can rely on this formula to meet the unique nutritional needs of their senior canines.
Contains Eukanuba 3D DentaDefense
DHA for optimal brain health
Only for older huge breed dogs
Contains chicken-derived food (3rd ingredient)
Contains corn (4th ingredient)
What to Search for in a Senior Dog Food
When searching for the best nutrition for senior dogs, it is crucial to consider several factors.
While the above-mentioned brands are among the best on the market, we advise dog owners to conduct their own research before making a purchase.
1. High-Quality Protein Sources
Aging dogs require a high-protein diet to maintain their muscle mass. According to experts, older dogs require up to 50% more protein than their younger counterparts.
Therefore, it’s crucial to choose dog food that’s high in protein and comes from trustworthy sources such as beef, poultry, poultry meal, and duck.
If your dog is allergic to poultry meal or beef, which can be common among geriatric dogs, consider dog food with alternative protein sources such as insect protein or lamb.
2. High Caloric Density
For senior dogs, it’s essential to choose dog food that’s high in caloric density, as they tend to lose weight and have a difficult time maintaining their body mass.
Even if your dog is currently overweight, this could change in a year or two. Therefore, foods containing calorie-dense ingredients like chicken meal or poultry by-product meal tend to be the best option.
If your senior dog is losing weight despite being fed high-calorie senior dog food, contact your veterinarian. There may be a more severe underlying issue, such as diabetes or kidney disease.
In conclusion, when choosing the best nutrition for senior dogs, it’s essential to prioritize high-quality protein sources, high caloric density, and conduct thorough research to ensure that the dog food meets your dog’s unique nutritional requirements.
3. Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are unsaturated fatty acids that offer numerous health benefits. EPA and DHA are two of the most common omega-3 fatty acids.
A diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids is beneficial for dogs of all ages, but it becomes increasingly important for senior dogs.
These nutrients promote optimal cognitive function and joint health, prevent tissue inflammation, and may even reduce the risk of heart disease in senior dogs. Omega-3-rich diets are associated with healthier skin and coats for senior dogs.
All of the best senior dog food brands are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are typically derived from fish oil. As such, it’s a good sign if a dog food lists fish oil as an ingredient.
4. Allergen-Free Formulas
All dogs can develop sensitivities, but senior dogs are more prone to allergies than younger ones. Symptoms of food allergies include irritated skin, hives, and an upset stomach.
If your dog has been diagnosed with a food allergy or exhibits symptoms that may be caused by food allergies, it’s important to find dog food that is free of common allergens for senior dogs.
Common dog food allergens include:
- Poultry and related substances, such as chicken by-product meal
- Eggs
- Soy
- Dairy products
- Wheat and wheat gluten
- Beef
Many dogs with allergies do well on dog food that contains uncommon proteins such as venison, lamb, or duck.
If your senior dog continues to display allergy symptoms after transitioning to a limited-ingredient senior dog food, consult your veterinarian.
They can assist you in using an elimination diet to systematically narrow down your dog’s allergens. Then, you can search for food that does not contain these ingredients.
For example, if your dog is allergic to poultry, you should prioritize foods that do not contain chicken or chicken meal ingredients.
5. Excellent Taste and Aroma
Strongly-flavored foods, such as canned, wet, or freshly-prepared dog food, may be more appealing to senior dogs who have lost their sense of smell and taste. These diets generally have a stronger aroma and flavor than kibble.
If you’ve noticed that your senior dog is consuming less or is having trouble locating their food bowl by smell, switching to these more flavorful and aromatic foods may help.
6. Tender or Easily Chewed Texture
In general, there is nothing wrong with feeding kibble to a senior dog whose teeth are still in good condition. Ensure that the kibble is designed for senior dogs and is the appropriate size for your senior dog’s breed.
If your senior dog has dental disease or is missing teeth, a softer diet will likely be more beneficial. Canned food is often a better option.
Freshly prepared foods made up of ingredients such as whole-grain brown rice, minced meat, and chopped vegetables are also effective. If you feed your senior dog a raw diet, make sure it is appropriate for senior dogs.
Your senior dog may have difficulty tearing apart larger portions of meat that a younger dog may enjoy. Cutting the meat and vegetables into smaller pieces will make it easier to chew.
7. Detailed Food Label
The best dog food companies will be happy to answer all of your questions about their products.
The packaging should include a comprehensive list of ingredients and nutrition facts. It’s a red flag if you have to search for this information or if it is simply unavailable.
8. Food Availability
Finally, make sure that you can easily obtain the food. Will the company deliver fresh or uncooked food to your door on a regular basis?
Can you have kibble or canned food delivered automatically so you never run out? Senior dogs do not always react well to sudden dietary changes, so you should always have enough of their special food on hand.
9. When Should You Make the Switch to Senior Dog Food?
In general, a dog is considered a senior when it reaches the age of eight years old. Around this time, you should consider transitioning them to a senior dog food formula.
However, the aging process varies between dog breeds. Larger dogs tend to age more rapidly than smaller dogs and may therefore benefit from an earlier transition to senior food.
Around the age of six, large breeds such as English Mastiffs and Great Danes should be switched to a senior diet. Large breeds, such as German Shepherds and Labradors, can be transitioned between the ages of 6 and 7.
For medium breeds, such as Border Collies and Shiba Inus, the transition should occur between 8 and 9 years. Typically, small dogs under 20 pounds do not require senior food until they are 10 or 12 years old.
Because each dog is unique, it can be helpful to monitor your dog’s health and dietary patterns as they age.
Several indicators suggest that it may be time to transition your pet to senior dog food. These include difficulty eating, weight loss, decreased appetite, and a diagnosis of arthritis.
If your dog is approaching old age and experiencing digestive issues, such as diarrhea, they may benefit from a switch to senior dog food.
Veterinarians may recommend senior dog food for dogs with diabetes, kidney disease, or dental decay, even if they are not technically “seniors”.
10. Is Food for Senior Dogs Necessary?
Some older dogs may be able to thrive on puppy food. However, if you want your senior dog to be at their best, the best option is to switch to a senior dog food. The following are some significant benefits of senior dog food.
Improved Management of Illnesses
Conditions such as arthritis, cancer, and kidney disease are common in older dogs. Senior dog food formulations take these conditions into account. For example, many contain omega-3 fatty acids, which help reduce arthritis symptoms.
Many senior dog foods have balanced levels of phosphorus and sodium, which are beneficial for dogs with kidney disease.
Managing these conditions with a healthy diet may allow your senior dog to live a longer, healthier life with fewer medication requirements as they age.
Better for Teeth and Gums
Tooth decay and gum disease are common in older dogs and can make chewing painful.
If you continue to feed your senior dog kibble designed for younger dogs, they may experience discomfort while chewing, which could prevent them from consuming enough food to maintain their weight.
Senior dog foods are typically softer, smaller, or otherwise easier to chew, allowing your senior dog to eat them more easily.
Weight Maintenance
Often, as canines age, they lose weight. Interestingly, while younger geriatric canines may be overweight, “very old” dogs are frequently underweight.
Frequently, senior dog foods contain more calories than the average dog food. Therefore, your senior dog will not need to consume as much food to maintain their weight.
Senior dog foods also contain the appropriate quantity of protein to preserve your dog’s supple muscle mass as it ages.
This will maintain your dog’s agility and activity. Regardless of age, dogs need robust musculature to move and play.
More Energy
Is your senior dog less active than it once was? Senior food won’t make them behave like puppies again, but it can help them maintain their vitality as they age.
These specially formulated diets typically contain nutritious carbohydrate sources, such as whole grains, to provide your dog with the energy required for daily activities.
In addition, they contain enough calories to maintain your senior dog’s vitality.
Healthy senior dog food contains added nutrients for joint health, allowing your senior dog to maintain a healthy body weight and agility well into old age.
Reduced Supplemental Need
If you adhere to a standard dog food diet for your aging companion, he or she may require additional supplements to obtain the necessary nutrients.
For example, some pet owners turn to fish oil supplements to provide senior canines with additional EPA and DHA.
The majority of senior dog foods already contain these nutrients. Therefore, feeding your senior dog food can reduce the need for supplements. This can help you save money and facilitate meal preparation.
FAQs
1. What age is senior dog food for dogs?
Your dog may not resemble or behave like what you consider a “senior” dog.
But beginning around age 7, or earlier if they are a large breed, your dog’s nutritional requirements will begin to change. This is an ideal opportunity to consider transitioning to a senior dog diet.
2. Is senior dog food better for older dogs?
Senior dog food may contain high-quality protein sources in greater quantities than adult maintenance formulations to support lean muscle mass, which is one of the many benefits for aging canines.
A balanced caloric intake from fat and protein is also important.
3. What is the easiest food for old dogs to digest?
Chicken and rice are common constituents in many dog diets, and their gentle nature makes them ideal for dogs with upset stomachs.
Additionally, this simple meal is easy to prepare – only boneless, skinless poultry breasts and rice are needed.
4. Is senior dog food necessary?
Your dog may be an older dog, but that does not mean he or she requires geriatric chow. Even when they reach old age, a great number of canines are still in excellent health.
If your senior dog is robust, in excellent body condition, and consuming a high-quality, balanced, and complete diet, you may not need to alter his diet.
5. Which protein is best for senior dogs?
Senior canines require a higher protein intake to preserve lean muscle mass and promote joint health.
Look for a formula that contains at least 20 percent protein from animal sources such as poultry, lamb, or fish to help preserve lean muscle mass and promote joint health.
Additionally, you should select a diet that is easy on your dog’s digestive system.
6. Should senior dogs eat wet food?
Yes, senior canines can eat wet food. Wet food is a good option for a senior dog’s diet because it is generally more digestible than dry food and can encourage finicky eaters to consume more.
7. Are eggs good for senior dogs?
Yes, eggs are good for senior canines. They are an excellent source of protein, fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals that can support the health of your senior companion.
Conclusion
As your dog hits old age, he may feel more at peace than ever before. But in these times, it can be hard for owners who want to give their beloved Fido the best care possible. It’s the best dog food for elderly dogs.
With firms like VICTOR Super Premium Dog Food that take pride in their unique and exceptionally nutritious dog food formulas, you should have no problem selecting a product that meets your puppy’s nutritional requirements. appropriate manner
BestForPets (bestforpets.org) would like to thank our visitors for visiting our website to learn about and research the best senior dog food.
We hope that our concise list of purchasing factors and detailed evaluations of the top premium dog meals will help you find serenity in every bowl of food. Support and nutrition for dogs
Dr. Barry Buttler
Dr. Barry Buttler, DVM, MS, DACVIM, is an experienced veterinarian who specializes in the care of small animals, specifically dogs. Dr. Barry K. Buttler is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association and holds multiple certifications in small animal emergency medicine and geriatric pet health.
Veterinarian (DVM) Dr. Barry Buttler
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