Older dogs have unique needs due to age-related conditions such as decreased mobility, muscle loss, and cognitive decline. The best senior dog food is specially formulated to support these needs. Many dry and wet foods for older dogs contain antioxidants to counter the effects of aging, extra omega fatty acids to reduce inflammation, and glucosamine and chondroitin to promote joint health.
We asked veterinarians what to look for in a senior dog and evaluated dozens of recipes to make our selections. Our picks from top brands are healthy, nutritious formulas for older dogs. One of the best overall dry foods is Purina Pro Plan Bright Mind Adult 7+ Chicken and Rice Formula. It contains healthy extras such as omega fatty acids and glucosamine. If you're shopping for wet food, Wellness Complete Advantage Age Advantage Recipe Adult 7+ with chicken and whitefish provides a boost from omega fatty acids, glucosamine, and chondroitin.
Keep in mind that the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) doesn't set standards for senior pet foods, so senior diets can vary significantly in terms of nutrition. The best senior dog food we recommend meets the AAFCO nutritional standards for adult maintenance or all life stages. Because older dogs have a lower metabolic rate than younger pups, some senior diets contain fewer calories. However, other recipes are higher in calories to meet the needs of dogs who eat smaller portions or because they have added protein to help maintain lean muscle.
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Highlights for the best senior dog food
Best overall wet: Purina Pro Plan Bright Mind Adult 7+ Beef and Brown Rice - See at Chewy
Best overall dry: Merrick Senior Real Chicken and Brown Rice - See at Chewy
Best budget wet: Hill's Science Diet Adult 7+ Chicken and Barley Entree - See at Chewy
Best budget dry: Iams Proactive Health Healthy Aging Chicken and Whole Grain - See at Chewy
Best for small breeds: Wellness Complete Health Age Advantage Small Breed Deboned Turkey and Peas - See at Chewy
Best for large breeds: Nutro Senior Dog 6+ Years Large Breed Chicken and Brown Rice - See at Chewy
Best for sensitive stomachs: Wellness Core Digestive Health Age Advantage 7+ Years Chicken and Brown Rice - See at Chewy
Best for weight loss: Hill's Science Diet Perfect Weight Adult Chicken and Vegetable - See at Chewy
Best fresh: Just Food For Dogs Joint and Skin Support - See at Chewy
Best overall wet
Dogs prone to dehydration or ones with reduced kidney function, which is common in older dogs, benefit from extra moisture, says Dr. Mark Freeman, a veterinarian and assistant professor of community practice at Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. Wet dog food has a higher moisture content, typically 75% to 78%, while dry food contains only about 10% to 12% moisture.
Senior dogs who have multiple tooth extractions or dental disease may also benefit from a soft food diet such as canned or fresh food, says Dr. Emily Luisana, a veterinary nutritionist at Friendship Hospital for Animals in Washington, DC.
Wet food generally contains more fat per serving than dry food, but it also tends to have fewer calories per serving and the water content can be more filling. When it comes to protein, the AAFCO recommends a minimum of 18% for adult dogs, but Luisana says senior dogs experiencing muscle loss may need more, and pups with renal or liver disease may need less.
If your dog finds wet food easier to eat or your vet recommends it, consider our picks below for the best dog foods for seniors. They're packed with healthy ingredients, including blueberries and cranberries for antioxidants, healthy carbohydrates like barley and sweet potatoes, and omega fatty acids from fish oil — an effective ingredient in the best joint supplements for dogs.
This food contains protein sources of chicken broth, chicken, and whitefish. Carbohydrate sources include barley, bran, and sweet potatoes. Vitamin C, zinc, and cobalt round out the ingredients list. A 12.5-ounce can contains 36% protein, 18% fat, 4% fiber, and 379 kcal, or about 30 calories per ounce.
Beef, liver, chicken, and meat byproducts make up the protein in this senior dog food. Carbohydrates include rice, wheat, and soy, and healthy extras include omega fatty acids, vitamin E, and niacin. The food contains 52.7% protein, 17.7% fat, 0.6% fiber, and 304 kcals per tub or 30.4 kcals per ounce.
Pork byproducts, pork liver, chicken, chicken byproducts, and pork plasma are the main protein sources in this recipe. Top carbohydrate sources include wheat flour, wheat gluten, and beet pulp. Beneficial additions to this food include L-carnitine, glycine, and fish oil. The food contains 39.13% protein, 15.21% fat, 12.63% fiber, and 345 kcals per can or 25.5 kcals per ounce.
Best overall dry
If your senior dog has been eating kibble all their life and continues to enjoy it, there's no need to switch to wet food unless your veterinarian recommends it. In fact, Luisana says some of her patients without teeth still prefer kibble. However, she advises feeding your dog a grain-inclusive senior diet, as long as they aren't sensitive to grains. Freeman says some evidence suggests grain-free dog food can increase the risk of certain types of irreversible heart damage in dogs — namely, canine cardiomyopathy (DCM), which leads to an enlarged heart. "Taking that into consideration, grain-free diets are not recommended for any dog," Freeman says.
Our selections for the best dry dog food for seniors come from trusted brands that employ animal nutrition experts who formulate the recipes. Purina also conducted feeding trials on its Pro Plan formula, which means the brand deemed it safe and palatable after feeding it to a group of dogs.
Chicken and poultry byproduct meals are the main protein sources in this food that’s undergone feeding trials. It includes rice, corn, wheat, barley, omega fatty acids, and glucosamine. With 29% protein, 14% fat, 3% fiber, and 423 kcal per cup, we recommend it for active normal-weight dogs.
This food counts chicken, chicken meal, and turkey meal as its main protein sources. Carbohydrates include brown rice, oatmeal, barley, quinoa, apples, and carrots. Omega fatty acids from salmon oil, glucosamine, and chondroitin are healthy extras. We recommend it for moderately active normal-weight dogs. It contains 27% protein, 15% fat, 3.5% fiber, and 381 kcal per cup.
This senior dog food’s main protein source is deboned lamb. Standout carbohydrates consist of rice bran, whole grain barley, and whole grain brown rice. Healthy extras like omega fatty acids from fish oil and glucosamine and chondroitin from chicken meal round out the list. With 27% protein, 12% fat, and 4% fiber and 307 kcal per cup, we recommend it for moderately active, normal-weight dogs.
Best budget wet
Luisana says the best senior dog food for your pup depends on their lifestyle, body condition, and overall health. Since quality options are available at various price points, budget doesn't need to be a limiting factor when it comes to prioritizing your dog's nutritional needs. Based on your veterinarian's advice, you may want to consider a recipe that contains antioxidants from foods such as blueberries or cranberries, lean proteins such as turkey and chicken, and omega fatty acids from fish.
While Freeman doesn't recommend any specific recipe, he says he's an advocate for brands that have done their due diligence to ensure their food meets the nutritional needs of pets. He gives Purina One as an example quality brand. All our picks for the best budget-friendly dog foods for seniors meet his qualifications and include nutritious ingredients like chicken, liver, brown rice, and blueberries. However, these foods do have different protein levels, so ask your vet if your dog should eat a high or low-protein diet.
Meat byproducts, chicken, and chicken byproducts are the main protein sources in this recipe. Top carbohydrate sources include brown rice, wheat flour, and wheat gluten. Beneficial additions to this food include glycine, flaxseed, and fish oil. The food contains 24% protein, 10.5% fat, 5% fiber, and 274 kcals per can or 21 kcals per ounce.
Turkey, chicken, liver, and pork lungs make up this food’s main protein sources. Standout carbohydrates include barley, oatmeal, carrots, and spinach. Beneficial additions include glycine and fish oil. The food contains 40.5% protein, 34.6% fat, 1.2% fiber, and 419 kcals per can or 32 kcals per ounce.
This food lists chicken as its main protein source with pork liver as an additional animal-based protein. Barley, whole grain corn, and corn gluten meal provide carbohydrates. Other ingredients include vitamins C and E, which have antioxidant properties and support immune health, and various minerals to support heart and kidney function. It contains 22% protein, 15% fat, 2% fiber, and can contain 375 kcal per 13-ounce can or about 29 calories per ounce.
Best budget dry
Contrary to what you may have heard, byproduct meats and meals help make pet foods more affordable, sustainable, and nutritious, Luisana says. That's why many budget foods will contain byproducts — typically organ meat, like liver, says Dr. Nancy Welborn, a veterinarian and associate professor of community practice at Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine. "Meals are cooked meats or bones, ground up. They provide things like calcium, phosphorus, and protein," Welborn says, adding that pet food companies aren't permitted to include inappropriate animal parts in their products.
Instead of solely relying on the ingredient list to evaluate food quality, Luisana suggests considering other factors. For example, most quality brands will employ veterinary nutritional experts, provide ingredient tracing, maintain quality control measures, and contribute to research efforts.
High-quality diets, regardless of cost, keep skin and bowel movements healthy. Our affordable dry food picks include quality ingredients and healthy additions, like prebiotics and probiotics for healthy digestion and glucosamine and chondroitin, which may support joint health.
Deboned chicken, chicken meal, and chicken fat make up the proteins in this recipe. Top carbohydrate sources include brown rice, barley, oatmeal, peas, and potatoes. Healthy additions include probiotics, L-lysine, glucosamine, chondroitin, and omega fatty acids from fish oil. The food contains 18% protein, 10% fat, 7% fiber, and 357 kcals per cup.
Chicken, chicken byproduct meal, dried egg product, and chicken fat make up the proteins in this senior food. Main carbohydrate sources include ground barley, ground whole grain corn, and carrots. Beneficial additions include marine microalgae for omega fatty acids, L-lysine, prebiotics, and L-carnitine. The food contains 24% protein, 10.5% fat, 5% fiber, and 349 kcal per cup.
Chicken and chicken byproduct meal are the main proteins in this food. Top carbohydrates include whole grain corn, corn germ meal, oatmeal, whole grain wheat, and carrots. Healthy extras include glucosamine and l-lysine. The food contains 28% protein, 13% fat, 4.5% fiber, and 363 kcals per cup.
Best for small breeds
Luisana says the age at which dogs are considered seniors can vary based on breed size. Smaller dogs may not reach senior status until age 10 or 11 since they generally have longer life spans than other pups.
Freeman says it's not unhealthy to transition older dogs to a senior diet based on their age alone. However, a more reliable indicator is overall healthier rather than age. Some dogs remain healthy throughout their senior years, so they may not need or benefit from a senior diet like other dogs might, he says.
One aspect of health to consider is dental health. Freeman says some senior diets consist of softer kibbles, and Luisana adds that smaller kibble size is the most common feature of a smaller breed diet. Our senior picks for the best dog food for small breeds have extra small kibble that is easier for dogs with smaller mouths to chew. They also have healthy extras like antioxidants, l-lysine, and probiotics.
Chicken meal is the main protein in this small kibble senior recipe. Top carbohydrate sources include pearled barley, whole grain wheat, whole grain corn, whole grain oats, apples, broccoli, and carrots. Beneficial additions include cranberries for antioxidants, L-lysine, and L-carnitine. The food contains 19% protein, 13.7% fat, 2.4% fiber, and 353 kcal per cup.
Deboned chicken and chicken meal are the main protein sources in this recipe. Standout carbohydrate sources include brown rice, peas, oats, carrots, sweet potatoes, and apples. Beneficial additions to this food include blueberries for antioxidants, flaxseed, and probiotics. The food contains 25% protein, 12% fat, 5% fiber, and 435 kcal per cup.
Chicken, pork liver, and pork plasma are the main protein sources in this small breed senior recipe. Brown rice, carrots, wheat flour, potatoes, peas, and spinach are standout carbohydrate sources. Beneficial additions to this food include L-lysine and L-carnitine. The food contains 29.7% protein, 16.8% fat, 1.8% fiber, and 83 kcal per tray (24 kcal per ounce).
Best for large breeds
Feeding large breed dogs food specifically formulated for their size is crucial to reduce the risk of orthopedic issues. These problems can arise as early as puppyhood and become even more prevalent in their senior years. That's why Luisana recommends senior pup parents take a proactive approach and monitor dogs for early signs of joint and bone diseases. While some changes in behavior, like decreased activity, may be attributed to aging, Luisana says not to overlook the possibility of underlying orthopedic issues such as arthritis.
Taking action by asking your vet about omega-3 and joint supplements, weight loss, and other dietary modifications can significantly improve the quality and length of your pet's life. Our picks for the best senior dog food for larger breeds include healthy extras like glucosamine to provide joint support. They also contain antioxidants that help fight oxidative damage, which Luisana says may reduce a dog's risk of degenerative diseases like liver or kidney issues.
Chicken, chicken meal, and chicken fat are the main protein sources in this large breed senior recipe. Brown rice, peas, sorghum, kale, and spinach are standout carbohydrate sources. Healthy extras include glucosamine, chondroitin, insoluble fiber, and antioxidants. The food contains 22% protein, 10% fat, 4% fiber, and 304 kcals per cup.
Deboned chicken and chicken meal make up the main protein sources in this recipe. Top carbohydrates include oatmeal, ground barley, ground brown rice, carrots, spinach, and sweet potatoes. Beneficial extras include omega fatty acids, antioxidants, glucosamine, probiotics, and beta-carotene. The food contains 22% protein, 10% fat, 4.25% fiber, and 416 kcals per cup.
Chicken is the single animal protein source in this recipe. Standout carbohydrates include carrots, brown rice, peas, ground barley, oatmeal, and sweet potatoes. Beneficial additions to this food include omega fatty acids from fish oil, antioxidants from blueberries and cranberries, and l-carnitine. The food contains 46.6% protein, 37.48% fat, 4.2% fiber, and 493 kcals per cup.
Best for sensitive stomachs
Some dogs have trouble digesting certain foods or ingredients, which can cause them to have symptoms such as gas, diarrhea, or vomiting. These symptoms likely won't go away with age, so they may need a special senior diet that is gentle on their stomach.
Luisana recommends choosing senior foods made with highly digestible protein sources. A study suggests that pollock and pork are the easiest for dogs to digest and absorb nutrients from, although there's no significant difference in digestibility among pollock, pork, beef, and chicken.
Freeman says some changes occur in older dogs' digestive tracts, such as reduced surface area for nutrient absorption. But generally, he says older dogs can digest foods and absorb their nutrients at nearly the same level as younger pups.
The below picks for the best food for senior dogs with sensitive stomachs include easily digestible proteins, including pork, turkey, and chicken. They also include gut-soothing healthy extras, such as probiotics and turmeric.
Pork liver, pork byproducts, and turkey are the main protein sources in this recipe, which is feeding-trial tested. The main carbohydrate is rice. Beneficial additions include beet pulp and flaxseed. The food contains 18.6% protein, 10.6% fat, 1.8% fiber, and 338 kcals per can or 26 kcals per ounce.
Deboned chicken, chicken meal, and chicken fat are the main protein sources in this recipe. Carbohydrates include brown rice, barley, pea protein, beet pulp, and apples. Beneficial extras include omega fatty acids from salmon oil, antioxidants from blueberries, pre- and probiotics, glucosamine, chondroitin, and l-carnitine. The food contains 28% protein, 10.5% fat, 4% fiber, and 357 kcals per cup.
Deboned turkey and turkey meal are the protein sources in this recipe. Standout carbohydrates include oatmeal, brown rice, potatoes, peas, and pumpkin. Healthy extras include fish oil, glucosamine, turmeric, probiotics, and cranberries. The food contains 18% protein, 10% fat, 7% fiber, and 348 kcals per cup.
Best for weight loss
Freeman says obesity is an issue for many pets but is particularly problematic for seniors. Older pets face a higher risk of orthopedic problems, such as arthritis and other joint diseases, as well as metabolic disorders like diabetes mellitus and hypothyroidism. Being overweight increases the likelihood of developing these issues and makes managing them more challenging, he says.
During routine checkups, your veterinarian will assess your pup's overall physique by weighing them and scoring their body condition and muscle mass. You can do the same between vet visits using the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) body condition chart and the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) muscle condition chart.
"Giving less food can be a successful approach to weight loss, but there is the risk of not providing adequate nutrition," Freeman says. Alternatively, your veterinarian might suggest a specialized weight-loss diet formulated to meet your dog's nutritional requirements in fewer calories. Our recommendations for the best dog foods for weight loss are formulated to keep your pup fuller for longer without sacrificing essential vitamins and nutrients.
Maintaining a lean body condition can extend your dog's lifespan by nearly two years and significantly reduces the risk and severity of arthritis and other health issues, says Dr. Julie Churchill, a veterinary nutritionist and professor of nutrition at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine.
This low-fat food has deboned chicken and chicken meal as its top ingredients, followed by carbohydrates like oatmeal, ground brown rice, and ground barley. Healthy extras include glucosamine and chondroitin. With 24% protein, 10% fat, and 4% fiber, this food is recommended for maintaining a healthy weight in active dogs. Each cup contains 405 kcal.
Deboned lamb and chicken meal are the main protein sources in this high-fiber, low-calorie recipe. Carbohydrates include brown rice, barley, peas, kale, spinach, and sorghum. Beneficial additions include beet pulp, pumpkin, niacin, and vitamin E. The food contains 24% protein, 8.47% fat, 11% fiber, and 240 kcals per cup.
Chicken and turkey giblets are the main protein sources in this food. Carbohydrates include oats, peas, apples, green beans, and carrots. Healthy extras include beet pulp, l-carnitine, beta-carotene, and niacin. The food contains 29% protein, 12.1% fat, 11.9% fiber, and 310 kcals per 12.8-oz can.
Best fresh
If your dog always begs for a taste of your meals, you might consider preparing a freshly cooked homemade diet instead of buying processed dog foods. However, Luisana cautions that homemade diets are rarely complete and balanced — unless you formulate them with the guidance of a veterinary nutritionist.
As an alternative, you can try the options we've recommended below. Our fresh food picks for the best senior dog food are formulated to meet AAFCO standards for all life stages, made of easy-to-digest human-grade ingredients, and prepared with oversight from an animal nutrition expert.
Our recommended brands have also undergone thorough testing by Insider Reviews for our guide to the best fresh dog food.
Pork and pork liver make up proteins in this fresh food option. Sweet potato, potato, green beans, and cauliflower are carbohydrate sources. Beneficial nutrients in this food include omega fatty acids from salmon oil. The food contains 39% protein, 32% fat, 2% fiber, and 311 kcal per 1/2 pound or 39 calories per ounce.
Pork loin and pork tenderloin make up the main proteins in this feeding-trial tested recipe. Quinoa, kale, carrots, and apples are carbohydrate sources. Beneficial nutrients in this food include fish oil and collagen. It contains 41.6% protein, 16.9% fat, 3.5% fiber, and 32 calories per ounce.
What to look for in senior dog food
Our experts say the following criteria are important to consider when shopping for the best senior dog food.
AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement for adult maintenance or all life stages: The AAFCO is a nonprofit organization that recommends nutritional profiles based on an animal's life stage. They don't approve pet foods or establish specific standards for senior dog foods. However, choosing a senior food formulated for adult maintenance or all life stages ensures the recipe fulfills the recommended protein, fat, and nutrient requirements of adult dogs. The best dog foods for senior pups will also contain beneficial extras such as glucosamine and chondroitin to support joint health and have fewer calories per serving than adult dog foods.
Ingredient list: Labels list ingredients by weight, so the first few ingredients generally make up the majority of the food's weight. "There are no particular ingredients that senior dogs should avoid," Luisana says. However, she recommends grain-inclusive foods over grain-free foods due to the potential link between grain-free dog foods, especially those containing peas, and dilated cardiomyopathy.
Guaranteed analysis: Rather than fixating on dog food ingredient lists, our experts say to examine the guaranteed analysis of important nutrients, including protein, fat, fiber, and other essential vitamins and minerals. Adult dog food must have a minimum of 18% protein and 5.5% fat to fulfill a dog's nutritional needs. As the AAFCO doesn't set specific standards for senior dog foods, the guaranteed analysis of these foods can vary significantly between recipes. Before selecting a food, our experts recommend asking your vet about the best food for your senior pup.
Healthy extras: The best senior dog food will contain extra ingredients that support their unique needs. For example, Freeman and Welborn highlight the potential benefits of antioxidants in supporting healthy aging. Welborn suggests a diet rich in antioxidants, such as Purina Bright Minds, if your dog experiences cognitive dysfunction. Other healthy extras for seniors include joint-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, glucosamine, and chondroitin.
Calorie content: A dog's metabolism typically slows as they age, and many seniors are less active. So, senior dog foods usually contain fewer calories than adult formulations, according to Churchill. Freeman adds that overweight senior dogs are at greater risk of weight-related conditions like arthritis and diabetes. That said, feeding your dog less food could result in a nutritional deficiency. That's why Freeman recommends switching to a low-calorie senior diet or a weight-management diet based on guidance from your vet.
Breed-size formulation: The best food for your senior pup may depend on their size. Our experts say small and large breed seniors have different health risks and may also require different calorie amounts and kibble sizes. Buying food specific to your pup's size helps ensure they get a recipe formulated for their needs.
Feeding-trial tested versus formulated foods: The best senior dog foods have been formulated — and in some cases, feeding-trial tested — to meet the AAFCO's nutritional standards for adult maintenance or all life stages. If your dog's food has an AAFCO label, you'll know the recipe fulfills the recommended protein, fat, and nutrient requirements for adult dogs. A label indicating feeding trials confirms the food's safety and palatability based on testing with a group of dogs.
Expert formulations: The dog food brands we recommend meet quality control standards. In other words, the brand employs a full-time board-certified veterinary nutritionist and potentially a PhD-level animal nutritionist, as recommended in the WSAVA guidelines.
Next-level ingredients: Next-level ingredients refer to those farmed or caught through humane and sustainable farming or harvesting practices. Although these ingredients may not offer extra nutrition to your pet, choosing pet food with ingredients like farmed raised meats, cage-free eggs, and sustainably caught fish helps you support a pet food company that prioritizes both animal welfare and sustainable practices.
How we selected the best senior dog food
To select foods for this guide, we spoke with two board-certified veterinary nutritionists and two small animal veterinarians. They helped us understand the unique dietary needs of senior dogs and what makes the best senior dog food.
We've also had the chance to get input from our dogs by feeding them many different brands and types of food, some of which we included in this guide.
Dr. Nancy Welborn is a veterinarian and associate professor of community practice at Louisiana State University (LSU) School of Veterinary Medicine. Welborn practiced private veterinary medicine for livestock and companion animals before transitioning to emergency small animal critical veterinary and then returning to LSU to develop and teach community practice at the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine.
Dr. Emily Luisana is a board-certified nutritionist and practicing clinical veterinary nutritionist at Friendship Hospital for Animals in Washington, DC. Luisana is a graduate of North Carolina State University (NCSU) College of Veterinary Medicine. After several years of general practice, she pursued a clinical nutrition residency at NCSU and a fellowship in clinical nutrition at Blue Pearl Veterinary Specialty Hospital of the Carolinas. Her clinical areas of interest include critical care nutrition, weight loss, homemade diets, and disease-state nutrition.
Dr. Julie Churchill is a board-certified nutritionist, a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine-Nutrition, and a professor of nutrition at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. After completing veterinary training at Michigan State University, Churchill pursued Internal Medicine and Nutrition residencies and earned her Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota. Her interests include seeing patients in the clinic, mentoring students, and finding more effective ways to teach nutrition and facilitate the integration of nutrition into the care of all patients by healthcare teams.
Dr. Mark Freeman is a board-certified veterinarian and assistant professor of community practice at Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. Freeman earned his BS in Biology at Morehead State University and earned his DVM at Auburn University. His research interests include animal behavior and molecular biology.
Our experts don't recommend any pet food recipes that don't meet AAFCO nutritional standards. They also don't recommend pet food manufacturers that don't comply with WSAVA guidelines.This guide only includes complete and balanced foods that meet the nutritional needs of adults or all life stages.
Senior dog food FAQs
What's the best food for senior dogs?
Because dogs age differently and senior dog food diets vary significantly, there's no single best senior dog food. Adult dogs should eat complete and balanced food formulated for adult maintenance or all life stages. The AAFCO doesn't set standards for senior pet foods, so senior dog food recipes can vary significantly. This makes it important to talk to your vet about the most appropriate food for your dog's specific needs.
Should older dogs eat senior dog food?
Our experts recommend feeding older dogs senior dog food because these recipes are tailored to their lifestyle and nutritional needs. Senior diets generally contain fewer calories than other adult dog foods due to the slower metabolic rates and decreased activity levels of senior dogs. Additionally, our experts suggest choosing senior dog foods that incorporate beneficial ingredients like antioxidants, glucosamine, and omega fatty acids.
Should I feed my senior dog wet or dry food?
Both wet and dry foods offer nutritious options for senior dogs. While some older pets who have had teeth extracted may prefer wet food, others prefer kibble — whether they still have their teeth or not. If your dog won't eat wet food but has trouble chewing, you can always soften their kibble with some water. Your veterinarian may recommend feeding a wet food diet if your dog has a medical condition or tends to get dehydrated easily.
At what age should a dog be put on senior food?
According to our experts, dogs are considered seniors at different ages based on their breed size. Giant breeds may be considered seniors as early as 5 years old, while toy breeds may reach their senior years closer to age 10. It's not unhealthy for an older dog to switch to a senior diet based on age. However, Freeman recommends taking your dog's overall health into account. Senior dogs in good health may not need a senior diet.
Does senior dog food make a difference?
Switching to a senior diet with more omega fatty acids, and joint-supporting ingredients can make a big difference in the quality and length of your pet's life. If you notice your older dog slowing down, checking in with your vet is always a good idea. They can assess your dog's health and recommend the best dog food for your senior pup.
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