Best Dog Foods For Senior Dogs

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As your dog gets older, it’ll start to slow down, and it might put on a little weight. When this happens, you may start thinking about making a change to your dog’s diet.

While your senior dog’s basic nutritional needs won’t change, it may not need as many calories, and certain nutrients will become more important.

But what kind of diet is best for a senior dog, and how do you choose the best dog food for seniors?

Keep reading to learn more about your senior dog’s changing dietary needs and to receive some tips for picking the best dog food to meet those needs.

Compare Best Dog Foods For Senior Dogs

OVERALL BEST 1. Ollie Dog Food Chicken Goodness Recipe Try Ollie Read Review	RUNNER UP 2. Pet Plate Dog Food Get 30% Off Read Review	BEST DRY SENIOR DOG FOOD 3. Wellness Complete Health Senior Recipe Dry Food View on Prf Read Review	BEST AFFORDABLE SENIOR DOG FOOD 4. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Senior Recipe View on Prf Read Review	BEST SENIOR DOG FOOD FOR SENSITIVE STOMACH 5. Canidae Grain-Free PURE Limited Ingredient Senior View on Chewy Read Review	BEST GRAIN-FREE SENIOR DOG FOOD 6. Nutro Natural Choice Senior Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food View on Chewy Read Review
Protein 10% Min	Protein 7.9% Min	Protein 22% Min	Protein 18% Min	Protein 28% Min	Protein 24% Min
Fat 3% Min	Fat 5.5% Min	Fat 10% Min	Fat 10% Min	Fat 10% Min	Fat 12% Min
Fiber 2% Max	Fiber 0.9% Max	Fiber 4.25% Min	Fiber 7% Max	Fiber 5% Min	Fiber 4% Max
Calories 1,298 kcal/kg	Calories 41 Kcal/oz	Calories 416 kcal/cup	Calories 357 kcal/cup	Calories 409 kcal/cup	Calories 3569 kcal/kg, 319 kcal/cup

Keep reading to see our top 7 recommendations for the best dog food for seniors:

The Top 7 Best Dog Foods For Seniors

Even though your senior dog’s metabolism will start to slow down as it ages, your dog still needs plenty of protein to maintain lean muscle mass and healthy fats for energy. Choosing a size-specific recipe will help ensure that your dog gets the right balance of these nutrients, though many dogs do well on regular senior dog food recipes.

OVERALL BEST

1.

Ollie Dog Food Chicken Goodness Recipe

Try Ollie

Product Info

• Protein: 10% Min
• Fat: 3% Min
• Fiber: 2% Max
• Calories: 1,298 kcal/kg

Pros

• Meals are customized based on your dogs profile
• Different meal flavors available
• Free shipping and delivered right to your door
• Recipes overseen by a vet and are human grade ingredients

Cons

• Price on the high side as compared to other fresh dog foods
• Food comes frozen solid
• Profile only accounts for allergies not health issues

High-quality nutrition is essential for all dogs, but particularly for your senior pup. This Chicken Goodness Recipe recipe is a great choice because it features turkey as a novel source of protein with digestible carbohydrates including brown rice, carrots, and spinach. Because it is a fresh food product, it is also high in moisture to support your senior dog’s hydration and digestion. It also retains more of its original nutritional integrity because it hasn’t been cooked at high temperatures.

RUNNER UP

2.

Pet Plate Dog Food

Get 30% Off

Product Info

• Protein: 7.9% Min
• Fat: 5.5% Min
• Fiber: 0.9% Max
• Calories: 41 Kcal/oz

Pros

• Meals are pre-portioned and in recyclable containers
• Different meal recipes available
• You can mix and match all recipes
• Flexible subscription options

Cons

• Price on the high side as compared to other fresh dog foods
• Containers take up a lot of space in the freezer/fridge
• Profile does not ask about health issues

Made with human-grade ingredients and delivered fresh to your door, PetPlate pet food is an excellent source of balanced nutrition for your senior dpg. The Tail Waggin’ Turkey recipe features ground turkey as a novel source of protein unlikely to trigger food allergies and, while it is a grain-free recipe, it only contains one carbohydrate ingredient high in plant proteins (lentils). It will provide your senior pup with plenty of protein to maintain lean muscle mass with omega fatty acids for healthy skin and coat, and lots of fiber for healthy digestion.

BEST DRY SENIOR DOG FOOD

3.

Wellness Complete Health Senior Recipe Dry Food

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Product Info

• Protein: 22% Min
• Fat: 10% Min
• Fiber: 4.25% Min
• Calories: 416 kcal/cup

Pros

• Made with all-natural ingredients
• Whole grains for healthy digestion
• Guaranteed levels of glucosamine and chondroitin
• Omega fatty acids for healthy skin and coat

Cons

• Some dogs may be sensitive to chicken ingredients
• Not a grain-free recipe

Designed to be complete and balanced to ensure healthy nutrition for your senior dog, this Wellness Complete Health Senior Recipe Dry Food features deboned chicken and barley as the main ingredients.

Not only is it protein-rich, but it is a reduced calorie diet to help ensure healthy weight, made with all-natural ingredients. It also contains guaranteed levels of glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health.

BEST AFFORDABLE SENIOR DOG FOOD

4.

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Senior Recipe

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Product Info

• Protein: 18% Min
• Fat: 10% Min
• Fiber: 7% Max
• Calories: 357 kcal/cup

Pros

• Made with all-natural ingredients
• Guaranteed levels of joint-supporting nutrients
• Supports skin and coat health
• Digestible carbohydrates for energy

Cons

• Not a grain-free recipe

This Blue Buffalo Life Protection Senior Recipe dry foods features deboned chicken and wholesome brown rice for a protein-rich, digestible dog food.

Not only is it made with all-natural ingredients, but it contains an optimal balance of omega fatty acids for healthy skin and coat, plus guaranteed levels of glucosamine and chondroitin. It also contains digestible carbohydrates to make sure your dog has the energy to stay active in its old age.

BEST SENIOR DOG FOOD FOR SENSITIVE STOMACH

5.

Canidae Grain-Free PURE Limited Ingredient Senior

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Product Info

• Protein: 28% Min
• Fat: 10% Min
• Fiber: 5% Min
• Calories: 409 kcal/cup

Pros

• Made with a limited number of ingredients
• High-quality animal protein sources
• Digestible grain-free carbohydrates
• Probiotics and chelated mineral supplements

Cons

• Some dogs may be sensitive to chicken ingredients
• Very expensive compared to other brands

If your senior dog has food allergies or a sensitive stomach, this Canidae Grain-Free PURE Limited Ingredient Diet Senior Recipe might be a good choice.

Made with high-quality proteins like chicken and turkey meal, it will help maintain lean muscle mass without going overboard on calories. This recipe is grain-free and contains a limited number of ingredients to reduce the risk for food allergies. Plus, it contains probiotics for healthy digestion and chelated minerals.

BEST GRAIN-FREE SENIOR DOG FOOD

6.

Nulo Freestyle Senior Grain-Free Trout & Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food

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Product Info

• Protein: 30% Min
• Fat: 12% Min
• Fiber: 5% Max
• Calories: 535 kcal/cup

Pros

• Grain-free to reduce food allergies and sensitivities
• Made with trout and sweet potato as main ingredients
• Glucosamine and chondroitin for joint support
• No artificial ingredients

Cons

• Very expensive compared to other brands

Many dogs develop allergies and sensitivities to grains in their old age which makes this Nulo Freestyle Grain-Free Senior Recipe a great choice.

Made with trout as the primary protein and sweet potato for carbohydrates, it is highly digestible and rich in nutrition. This recipe contains no artificial ingredients and it is supplemented with glucosamine and chondroitin for joint support.

BEST WET SENIOR DOG FOOD

7.

Nutro Natural Choice Senior Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food

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Product Info

• Protein: 24% Min
• Fat: 12% Min
• Fiber: 4% Max
• Calories: 3569 kcal/kg, 319 kcal/cup

Pros

• Moisture-rich and very palatable for older dogs
• Multiple sources of animal protein
• Glucosamine and chondroitin for joint support
• Supplemental fiber and antioxidants

Cons

• None

If your senior dog has become a picky eater, a wet food formula like this Nutro Natural Choice Senior Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food may be more palatable. Made with nature’s best ingredients, this recipe features multiple animal proteins like chicken, lamb, and salmon with natural sources of glucosamine and chondroitin for joint support.

It is rich in moisture and contains plenty of supplemental fiber for healthy digestion plus fresh fruits and vegetables for antioxidant support.

Special Dietary Needs Of Senior Dogs

Senior dogs have varying lifespans, with toys and small breeds like Pomeranians and pugs having the longest lifespans of 12–15 years. Medium-sized breeds like Bulldogs and Australian Shepherds also live long.

Larger breeds like the Golden Retriever and German Shepherd have lifespans between 10 and 12 years, while giant breeds like Great Danes may not live to see their 10th birthday.

Small and toy breeds reach senior status around 10–12 years old, while most other breeds become seniors when they turn 7 or 8. Once senior, a high-quality diet rich in animal proteins, healthy fats, digestible carbohydrates, and essential vitamins and minerals is necessary.

Here are some of the things to look for in senior dog food:

• Calorie Content. Your dog’s metabolism will slow down as it ages, which means that it’ll require fewer calories to maintain a healthy weight and too many excess calories could lead to obesity.
• Digestibility. As your dog’s metabolism slows down, its digestion may also become more sensitive, which means that additional fiber and probiotics may be helpful.
• Joint Support. Supplements like glucosamine and chondroitin can help keep your aging dog’s joints healthy to prevent osteoarthritis and other joint diseases.
• Antioxidants. Found primarily in fresh fruits and vegetables, antioxidants may help slow the effects of aging on your senior dog.

Keeping all of these things in mind, you’re now ready to learn how to choose the best dog food for seniors. Here’s what you need to know:

How to Choose the Best Dog Food for Seniors?

When shopping for senior dog food, prioritize your dog’s basic nutritional needs. Adult dogs need 18% crude protein and 8% crude fat, sourced from animal sources like meat, poultry, and fish. Choose highly digestible carbohydrates like sweet potatoes, legumes, and vegetables for senior dogs, as many develop food allergies and sensitivities as they age.

Fiber content should be around 5%, with some dogs benefiting from additional fiber. A diet should contain at least 10% moisture.

Fresh fruits and vegetables are beneficial supplements for vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, which help slow aging effects.

High-quality senior dog food may contain synthetic supplements, but chelated minerals are the best for nutritional balance.

Probiotics can help maintain healthy digestion, and joint-supporting supplements like glucosamine and chondroitin are welcome additions.

How Much Should You Feed Senior Dogs?

How often you feed your senior dog depends on several factors. First and foremost, the number of meals your dog gets per day is determined by its energy needs and its size. Small and toy breeds generally do best with three smaller meals per day, while larger dogs may be fine with two.

As your dog ages, however, you may notice that it eats less at a time, so it might be a good idea to make each meal a little smaller and add an extra one partway through the day.

In terms of how much to feed your senior dog, again, that varies. Smaller dogs will still need more calories per pound of body weight than larger dogs to maintain their metabolisms, but you should account for some slowdown in that department. Switching your dog to a senior dog food will help reduce the calories and you should follow the feeding recommendations on the package.

What About Food Allergies And Sensitivities?

Food allergies and sensitivities in dogs increase with age, with symptoms becoming more apparent by ten years old. Senior dogs are also at risk of developing allergies to fleas and environmental allergens.

Digestive problems can occur in many senior dogs, ranging from occasional upsets to chronic diarrhea or frequent vomiting. To manage these issues, feeding smaller meals daily, switching to a limited-ingredient diet or a hypoallergenic formula, providing fresh water, and giving fiber supplements like canned pumpkin can help improve digestion.

Final Thoughts

While it might not be so quick to chase the ball, and it might take a little longer to get out of bed in the morning, your senior dog is still your best friend and most loyal companion.

To make sure you get to enjoy its company for as long as possible, choose a high-quality senior dog food like the top 7 picks we’ve reviewed above.