Looking for the best dog food for your senior doggy?
There are a lot of brands available on the market with different price tags but, costlier doesn’t always mean better. Senior dogs have different nutritional needs than puppies or adult dogs. In other words, that great puppy dog food is no longer going to make the grade for your older dog.
So, they need food that’ll cater to all their needs in their golden years.
Your dog’s metabolism becomes slower as he ages and his level of activity also reduces. This means, that in addition to special needs, your furry friend also needs to have fewer calories in their diet.
In this blog post, we’ll share everything that there is to know about the nutritional needs of senior dogs and introduce you to the top 10 best senior dog foods available.
So, without further ado, let’s just jump right in, shall we?
Is My Dog Even a Senior Dog?
Did you know that most dog owners don’t even realize that their dog is in the ‘senior’ category until much later?
There isn’t a specific age at which your dog suddenly becomes a senior from an adult. There are several factors at play.
For example, large breed dogs and giant breed dogs age faster than smaller dogs. So, breed and body weight are both critical factors. Studies suggest that overweight and obese dogs tend to age faster than their normal weight counterparts!
Usually, as a rule of thumb, dogs that have reached half their life expectancy age are considered to be ‘senior.’
This means that smaller dogs that have a life expectancy of 15-20 years are considered senior when they reach the age of 7½ to 10 years. Larger dogs that have a life expectancy of 12-15 years are considered senior between 6 to 7½.
However, your vet is probably the best person to determine this.
What Are the Special Nutritional Needs of Senior Dogs?
Just like in puppyhood, a dog in his senior years needs special care, attention, and nutrition.
Senior dogs should be given a lower-calorie diet in order to prevent obesity, which brings several other complications with it. This is especially needed if your dog isn’t as active as he used to be. Older dogs also have a slower metabolism that contributes to obesity.
Most older dogs also require high-fiber diets to ensure their gastrointestinal health.
Several dog food companies carry food curated to the needs of a senior dog. However, there are multi-stage kibbles available on the market as well. This is a good choice if you have dogs at different stages of life whose dog food bowls tend to blend.
Treats and Snacks: What Needs to Be Changed?
While you can occasionally give your dog his favorite treats, it is a safer option to stick to low-sodium, low-fat treats.
Vegetables make great treats for senior dogs as they’re yummy, rich in micronutrients, and low in calories. You can give your dog a few slices of apple, a handful of olives, bell pepper, carrots, etc., to munch on.
Water and Senior Dogs: Do Things Change?
As a dog ages, he needs more water.
This is because with age, your dog’s capacity to balance water decreases which can lead to dehydration if your dog isn’t drinking a lot of water. So, always keep a bowl of water around for your doggy in case he gets thirsty.
Should I Invest in Supplements?
Senior dogs tend to struggle with joint pains due to arthritis and may benefit from chondroitin sulphate and glucosamine in their diets to help them deal with the pain.
However, make sure that you don’t give them supplements meant for human consumption.
While supplements do help, dogs that have arthritis and joint problems may benefit more from shedding a few pounds, rather than adding supplements.
So, take your dog out for a walk!
Dogs and Aging: Some Things You Should Look Out For
As with humans, aging in dogs affects their immune system and makes them prone to various diseases.
This includes the following:
- Liver diseases
- Kidney failure
- Cataracts
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
These are some of the most common diseases that affect dogs. However, several breed-specific conditions may affect your dog as well. So, it is important to take your dog to the vet regularly.
Some diseases also need dietary intervention. For example, dogs that have heart diseases need senior food that is lower in calories that help the dog maintain his weight. A diet low in sodium is also useful for these dogs.
With dogs that suffer from diabetes, it is important to delay the process of food absorption so as the food is absorbed slowly, which allows blood sugar to also rise slowly.
So, diets that are high in fat and fiber foods are considered to be the best for your senior doggy.
A diet high in fiber also helps combat constipation and other problems with passing stool and helps them have a regular movement.
Senior diets should also contain protein from high-quality sources which helps them maintain their muscle mass and body weight without putting too much strain on the kidneys.
Now, let’s take a look at the top 10 best senior dog food brands available on the market and figure out what suits your dog’s needs.
Top 10 Best Senior Dog Foods
In this section of the blog, we will give you a quick overview of the top 10 best senior dog foods available in the market and share some important details.
Additionally, we will cover each of the dog foods in detail in the following section and review the different brands in detail.
Take a peek at the top 10 dog food brands for medium dogs:
| Food Name | Protein | Fat | Carbs | Our Rating | Prices |
| BLUE Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe High Protein Grain Free Senior Dry Dog Food | 33 | 17 | 42 | 4.6 Stars | Check Prices |
| Hill’s Science Diet Senior Dog Food
|
25 | 16 | 52 | 4.6 Stars | Check Prices |
| Nature’s Recipe Senior Lamb Meal & Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food | 24 | 13 | 54 | 4.6 Stars | Check Prices |
| Purina ONE SmartBlend Vibrant Maturity 7+ Formula Dry Dog Food | 34 | 19 | 39 | 4.5 Stars | Check Prices |
| NUTRO MAX Natural Adult Dry Dog Food | 23 | 13 | 55 | 4.5 Stars | Check Prices |
| Wellness Complete Health Natural Dry Dog Food | 28 | 12 | 52 | 4.5 Stars | Check Prices |
| Iams PROACTIVE HEALTH Senior and Mature Adult Dry Dog Food | 27 | 11 | 54 | 4.4 Stars | Check Prices |
| Blue Buffalo BLUE Senior Dog Chicken & Brown Rice | 27 | 16 | 50 | 4.3 Stars | Check Prices |
| Nature’s Variety Instinct Raw Boost Grain Free Recipe Natural Dry Dog Food | 34 | 26 | 33 | 4.2 Stars | Check Prices |
| Diamond Naturals SENIOR
|
28 | 17 | 48 | 4.1 Stars | Check Prices |
Let’s take a detailed look at each of these dog foods!
BLUE Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe High Protein Grain Free Senior Dry Dog Food
The Blue Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe is one of the best dog foods for seniors. This kibble is high in protein and free of any grains. It doesn’t contain chicken, poultry, and filler ingredients. The kibble provides complete nutrition for your senior furbaby.
The Blue Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe kibble comes out to be an average one when you consider the quality of ingredients used to make it.
Let’s take a peek at the macro nutrients as well.
The dog food contains:
- 33% of protein which is above-average
- 17% of fat which is near-average
- 42%of carbohydrates which is below-average
This kibble also contains a notable amount of meat in it.
Let’s talk pros and cons, shall we?
| Pros | Cons |
| ● Contains real meat such as deboned chicken, fish meal, and chicken meal
● Doesn’t contain chicken, poultry, and filler ingredients ● Contains fruit and vegetables that provides your furry friends with essential vitamins, minerals, as well as antioxidants ● Has a notable amount of meat |
● May cause diarrhea
● Below average carbs
|
Hill’s Science Diet Senior Dog Food
The senior dog food from Hill’s Science Diet is a good choice for active dogs over the age of seven. The kibble contains antioxidants and Vitamin C that help improve your dog’s immune system and keep him looking and feeling young. The kibble comes with added vitamins and minerals as well.
Hill’s Science Diet dog food for seniors comes out to be an average dog food product when assessing it in terms of the quality of ingredients used.
We should talk about the macros.
The dog food contains:
- 25% of protein which is below-average
- 16% of fat which is near-average
- 52%of carbohydrates which is above-average
Thod dog food also contains a moderate amount of meat which is always a plus point for senior dogs.
Now, it’s time to weigh the pros against the cons.
| Pros | Cons |
| ● Helps improve your dog’s gastrointestinal health
● Contains real deboned beef ● Contains antioxidants and Vitamin C that help improve your dog’s immune system ● Comes with added vitamins and minerals |
● Can cause bloating and gas |
Nature’s Recipe Senior Lamb Meal & Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
The Nature’s Recipe Senior Dog Food contains lamb meal that provides your dog with protein while helping him maintain his lean muscles. The kibble also has barley and oatmeal that support your dog’s immune system and digestion.
The Nature’s Recipe Senior Dog Food comes out to be an above-average one in terms of the quality of ingredients used to make it.
Let’s take a peek at the macros…
So, this dog food contains:
- 24% of protein which is below-average
- 13% of fat which is below-average
- 54% of carbohydrates which is above-average
This kibble also contains a moderate amount of meat in it, which meets all the needs of senior dogs.
Now, let’s weigh the pros against the cons, shall we?
| Pros | Cons |
| ● Barley and oatmeal that support your dog’s digestion
● Contains added vitamins and minerals ● Easily digestible ● Contains probiotics |
● Can cause stomach upsets
● Allergic reactions such as redness, itching, sores, etc. |
Moving on to the next one…
Purina ONE SmartBlend Vibrant Maturity 7+ Formula Dry Dog Food
The SmartBlend Vibrant from Purina contains high-quality sources of protein and has real chicken that helps in supporting your dog’s muscle and heart function. This kibble promotes healthy energy and mental sharpness.
The SmartBlend Vibrant from Purina dog food comes out to be an average one concerning the quality of ingredients used to make it.
Let’s take a look at the macronutrients.
This dog food contains:
- 34% Protein which is above-average
- 19% Fat which is above-average
- 39% Carbohydrates which is below-average
This kibble has a modest meat content in it as well which is a good thing for inactive or meat-sensitive dogs.
| Pros | Cons |
| ● High-quality sources of protein
● Helps in supporting your dog’s muscles ● Promotes healthy energy and mental sharpness |
● Below average carbs
● May cause diarrhea |
NUTRO MAX Natural Adult Dry Dog Food
The Nutro Max Natural Adult Dry Dog Food is one of the best options for senior dogs as it is made from natural ingredients sourced from real poultry and has added vitamins and minerals. The kibble doesn’t contain any filler ingredients and supports healthy skin and fur.
The Nutro Max Natural Adult dog food comes out to be an above-average one regarding the quality of ingredients used to make it.
Let’s look at the macros.
This dog food contains:
- 23% Protein which is below-average
- 13% Fat which is below-average
- 55% Carbohydrates which is above-average
This kibble also contains a modest amount of meat in it which is a good thing for inactive senior dogs.
Let’s take a look at the pros and cons.
| Pros | Cons |
| ● Provides your dog with a balanced meal
● Made from natural ingredients sourced from real poultry ● Added vitamins and minerals ● Doesn’t contain any filler ingredients |
● May cause vomiting |
Wellness Complete Health Natural Dry Dog Food
The Complete Health Natural dog food from Wellness is an all-natural dog food that contains deboned turkey as a source of protein. The senior dog food also contains added glucosamine and chondroitin that promote healthy joints.
The Complete Health Natural dog food from Wellness is an above-average one when it comes to the quality of ingredients used to make it.
Let’s take a look at the macronutrients this kibble contains.
This dog food contains:
- 28% Protein which is near-average
- 12% Fat which is near-average
- 52% Carbohydrates which is near-average
This dog food has a moderate amount of meat in it.
Now, it’s time to look at the pros and cons.
So, here’s the deal:
| Pros | Cons |
| ● Contains deboned turkey as a source of protein
● Added glucosamine and chondroitin that promote healthy joints |
● May cause gastrointestinal upset
● Some dogs may not like the taste |
Iams PROACTIVE HEALTH Senior and Mature Adult Dry Dog Food
The Iams Proactive Health Senior dog food helps your dog fight the signs of aging and contains antioxidants that promote the dog’s immune system. The kibble contains real vegetables and fruits for vitamins and minerals.
When looking at the ingredients used in the Iams Proactive Health Senior dog food, it comes out to be an average dry dog food product as compared to others.
Let’s take a look at the macros, shall we?
This dog food contains:
- 27% Protein which is above-average
- 11% Fat which is below-average
- 54% Carbohydrates which is above-average
This dog food is a good choice for active senior dogs.
This dog food also contains an average amount of meat in it.
Let’s take a look at the pros and cons, shall we?
| Pros | Cons |
| ● Helps your dog fight the signs of aging
● Contains antioxidants that promote the dog’s immune system ● Contains real vegetables and fruits for vitamins and minerals |
● Can cause an upset tummy or diarrhea in the initial phase |
Blue Buffalo BLUE Senior Dog Chicken & Brown Rice
The Blue senior dog food from Blue Buffalo is a protein-rich kibble that contains deboned chicken. The dog food contains wholesome grains, vegetables, and fruits. The kibble promotes strong bones, a healthy immune system, and healthy teeth.
The Blue Buffalo Blue senior dog food is an above-average kibble in terms of the quality of ingredients used to make it.
Let’s now take a look at the macronutrients.
The food contains:
- 27% of protein which is near-average
- 16% of fat which is near-average
- 50%of carbohydrates which is above-average
This kibble also has a moderate amount of meat in it which is good for less active older dogs.
Let’s take a look at the pros and cons now, shall we?
| Pros | Cons |
| ● Contains chondroitin and glucosamine that help support your dog’s joints
● Contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids that help support healthy joints ● Contains wholesome grains, vegetables, and fruits |
● Can cause stomach upset |
Nature’s Variety Instinct Raw Boost Grain Free Recipe Natural Dry Dog Food
The Nature’s Variety Instinctive Raw Boost Grain-Free dog food is a grain-free and high protein kibble that is made with cage-free chicken. It doesn’t contain any filler ingredients, coloring, or flavors. The kibble has added glucosamine, chondroitin, and carnitine.
By the quality of ingredients used to make Nature’s Variety Instinctive Raw Boost Grain-Free dog food, the kibble comes out to be an above-average dog food.
Let’s take a look that the macros.
So, this dog food basically contains:
- 34% of protein which is below-average
- 26% of fat which is below-average
- 33% of carbohydrates which is above-average
This kibble also contains a moderate amount of meat in it, which is a great thing for senior dogs as meat can sometimes cause the dog to have sensitivities.
Following are the pros and the cons:
| Pros | Cons |
| ● Made from premium ingredients
● Doesn’t contain any filler ingredients, coloring, or flavors ● Made with cage-free chicken ● Added glucosamine, chondroitin, and carnitine |
● May cause an allergic reaction |
Diamond Naturals SENIOR
This kibble is the final one on my list.
The Diamond Senior from Diamond Pet Foods is made from chicken and has added glucosamine and chondroitin. The kibble is rich in antioxidants and comes with added probiotics that promote your dog’s gut health.
This dog food is an above-average one when assessed by ingredients used to make it.
Let us go over the macronutrients.
This dog food contains:
- 28% of protein which is near-average
- 17% of fat which is near-average
- 48%of carbohydrates which is near-average
This dog food also contains a moderate amount of meat in it, which is a good thing for senior dogs.
Following are the pros and the cons:
| Pros | Cons |
| ● Added vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants for vitality
● Has added glucosamine and chondroitin ● Probiotics in the food aid the process of digestion |
● Can be inconsistent
● May lead to bloating |
Summing Up: Top 10 Best Puppy Foods Available on the Market!
I hope this blog post helped you figure out the right food for your senior dog!
When it comes to dog food for older dogs, there are a lot of brands available on the market, and it can be tough to determine which one of them is the best choice for your senior furry friend.
While a brand may be right, your dog still may not like it for one reason or another.
So, it is always a good idea to buy a smaller pack before investing in a larger one to ensure that your pup likes the food and doesn’t have an allergic reaction.
Always consult your vet before making any changes to your dog’s diet as he knows more about your dog’s nutritional needs and what’s the best diet for your senior doggy friend.
You can check out our Top 10 Best Dog Food review page for more information on who we feel offers the ‘best’ dog food out there!
Do you have any questions? Let me know in the comments section, and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.
