:strip_icc()/spruce-pets-header-illo-9e753c7d2d5c41c78b01bea00f975fd3.png)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Lasso-01-7f9986fcdcc746feb56094c318e20403.JPEG){kind=small}
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Lasso-01-7f9986fcdcc746feb56094c318e20403.JPEG)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/NelvaJ.BryantDVMMPH-84579b9904d74e2eaa1c0d8b94c2923a.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/emily-estep-aea3a95069ce4807812c56ae3716d62d.jpg)
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/best-dog-food-for-older-dogs-4579808-39040096ef9640df95cb3fcd1ba6aff6.jpg)
The Spruce Pets / Lecia Landis
Aging pets can have health problems including weight gain, arthritis, and hip and elbow dysplasia—joint changes that can cause limping and pain. Some changes may not be so obvious, like a weakened immune system or decreased cognitive function. A food specially formulated for senior dogs can mitigate some of these age-related changes.
When choosing a diet for mature pets, features like protein quality are essential, because older dogs may have more difficulty absorbing nutrients. Some dogs might need fewer calories because they are less active and gain weight when they are older; others lose weight and shouldn’t cut back on calories.
But not all dogs should be switched to foods formulated for seniors, cautions veterinarian Megan McCarthy, DVM, of Best Friends Animal Society in Salt Lake City. “If your dog is already on a special or prescription diet, or has a sensitive stomach, you may want to continue feeding the same ‘adult' dog food instead of a senior dog food to prevent any issues by switching diets,” she told The Spruce Pets.
For those dogs who could benefit from a senior food formulation, our favorites are Purina Pro Plan Bright Mind dry food and Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe Senior wet food. Both feature chicken as their primary ingredient, and both are supplemented for joint, digestive, and brain health.
Best Overall
Purina Pro Plan Bright Mind Adult 7+
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/purina-pro-plan-senior-dog-food-with-probiotics-for-dogs-bright-mind-7--chicken--rice-formula-b5b1e0d4c283425eb8b1fe502253e1c9.jpg)
Amazon
Chicken is the first ingredient
Supplements for mental, joint, and digestive health
Formulas for adult, large, and small breeds
Only two flavors
Purina has been making pet food for 90 years, so many veterinarians are both comfortable and familiar with the brand. The Purina Pro Plan Bright Mind senior formula features chicken as the first ingredient and most of the animal protein comes from chicken and poultry byproduct meal.
The formula is packed with a variety of supplements for senior health. There are probiotics to support healthy digestion, glucosamine for mobility, omega-6 fatty acids for skin and coat, and antioxidants for a healthy immune system.
The formula contains fish oil, antioxidants, B vitamins, and arginine to target mental sharpness and cognitive health as dogs age. The food comes in adult, large, and small breed kibble formulas, and is also available as canned food.
Price at Time of Publish: $26 for 5 pounds
Flavors: Chicken and rice, turkey and brown rice | Primary Ingredients: Chicken, poultry byproduct meal, rice | Estimated Calories: 423 kcal/cup | Crude protein (min.): 29 percent | Crude fat (min.): 14 percent
Best Overall Wet
Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe Senior Chicken Dinner with Garden Vegetables Canned Dog Food
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/blue-buffalo-homestyle-recipe-natural-senior-wet-dog-food-chicken-25660e728eb64cbe8fdc21b66496b656.jpg)
Amazon
Chicken is the main ingredient
Lots of added supplements including antioxidants, glucosamine, and omega fatty acids
No artificial flavors, preservatives, or byproducts
Only one flavor
Canned food can be tastier and easier to eat for aging dogs who don’t always have a hearty appetite and might have sore teeth and gums. In this popular Blue Buffalo recipe, the first three ingredients are all chicken related: chicken, chicken broth, and chicken liver. It also features flaxseed, fish oil, blueberries, carrots, and sweet potatoes, as well as oatmeal and brown rice. There’s no corn, wheat, or soy, no artificial flavors or preservatives, and no poultry byproduct meals.
Just like dry food counterparts, this senior meal is supplemented with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to promote a healthy skin and coat, antioxidants for the immune system, and glucosamine and chondroitin for mobility. You can feed it alone, mix it with dry kibble to make picky eaters happy, or offer it as an occasional treat.
Price at Time of Publish: $44 for 12 cans
Flavors: Chicken dinner with garden vegetables | Primary Ingredients: Chicken, chicken broth, chicken liver | Estimated Calories: 396 kcal/cup | Crude protein (min.): 7.5 percent | Crude fat (min.): 4.5 percent
Best Budget
Iams ProActive Health Mature Adult Dry Dog Food
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/iams-healthy-aging-adult-dry-dog-food-for-mature-and-senior-dogs-with-real-chicken--60e2c11e4bec45dd924964891e87df0e.jpg)
Amazon
Farm-raised chicken is the first ingredient
Relatively inexpensive
Contains fiber, glucosamine, and antioxidants
Only comes in one flavor
No small breed formula
This senior kibble is more affordable than many others, but it’s still made with farm-raised chicken as the first ingredient. It has the usual senior food supplementation including fiber and prebiotics for digestion, antioxidants to help the immune system, glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health, and other supplements to burn fat and work to keep metabolism going.
The food is available in formulas for regular and large breeds and is made with no artificial preservatives or flavors and no fillers. Other ingredients include whole grains, beet pulp, and carrots.
Price at Time of Publish: $19 for 7 pounds
Flavors: Chicken | Primary Ingredients: Chicken meal, chicken byproduct meal, ground whole grain sorghum | Estimated Calories: 349 kcal/cup | Crude protein (min.): 24 percent | Crude fat (min.): 10.5 percent
Best Premium
Farmina N&D Ancestral Grain Chicken & Pomegranate Senior Dry Dog Food
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/farmina-natural--delicious-ancestral-grain-chicken--pomegranate-mini-senior-dog-food-c1648b6485a74670a3ad16aa2ef654d8.jpg)
Amazon
Protein sourced from fresh chicken
Lots of fruits and vegetables
Supplements for joints and skin and coat
Just one flavor
More expensive than others
Many premium dog foods are grain-free, but the Food and Drug Administration is currently studying a possible connection between grain-free dog foods and heart disease. Farmina instead offers a senior formula that incorporates fiber-rich and nutrient dense “ancient grains,” a loose category of whole grains that includes heirloom varieties and wheat species that haven’t been selectively bred—and are therefore largely unchanged across centuries of use—such as einkorn, farro, and spelt. The N&D Ancestral Grain formula incorporates whole oats and whole spelt. Both take longer to digest than the grains used in most foods, releasing carbohydrate energy more slowly and encouraging satiety.
It also includes chicken as its primary protein, plus dried, beets, and eggs. It smells so good that you might be tempted to try a bite. Other ingredients include fresh and dehydrated herring, as well as dried carrots, apples, blueberries, and spinach. The food, which is made in Italy, is supplemented by chondroitin and glucosamine for joints, omega fatty acids for skin and coat, and is very high in protein.
Price at Time of Publish: $28 for 5.5 pounds
Flavors: Chicken, spelt, oats, and pomegranate | Primary Ingredients: Boneless chicken, dehydrated chicken, whole spelt | Estimated Calories: 371 kcal/cup | Crude protein (min.): 27 percent | Crude fat (min.): 15 percent
Best for Arthritis
Wellness Natural Pet Food Complete Health Natural Dry Senior Dog Food
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/wellness-natural-pet-food-complete-health-natural-dry-senior-dog-food-f28f87f000fb48baaaac40d5dc68fa03.jpg)
Amazon
Has glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health
Chicken is the main ingredient
No byproducts, fillers, or artificial preservatives
Only one flavor
No formulas for small dogs
Dogs often have arthritis and joint issues as they age, which is why so many senior foods add glucosamine and chondroitin to help with joint health. This food has high levels of both supplements (at least 800 milligrams of glucosamine and 700 milligrams of chondroitin per kilogram of food) which may protect the cartilage in joints.
Deboned chicken is the main ingredient and the formula also includes barley, brown rice, peas, and oatmeal. It has the senior essentials like fiber for digestion, omega fatty acids for skin and coat, and calcium for teeth. There are no meat byproducts, fillers, or artificial preservatives and the food is made in the United States.
Price at Time of Publish: $21 for 5 pounds
Flavors: Chicken and barley | Primary Ingredients: Deboned chicken, chicken meal, oatmeal | Estimated Calories: 416 kcal/cup ME (metabolizable energy) | Crude protein (min.): 22 percent | Crude fat (min.): 10 percent
Best for Large Dogs
Hill's Diet Science Large Breed Adult 6+ Dry Dog Food
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/hills-diet-science-large-breed-adult-6--dry-dog-food-a80c8f3b8f294ede82080f864eb8e4ae.jpg)
Amazon
Made just for large and giant breeds
Has glucosamine and chondroitin, omega-6 fatty acids, and minerals
No artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors
Limited flavors
Bigger dogs have different nutritional needs, particularly for bone and joint health as they age. This food is formulated for large breed adult dogs six years and older who should weigh between 55 and 110 pounds and giant breeds five years and older with an ideal weight of 110 pounds or more. It has glucosamine and chondroitin for joints and mobility, omega-6 fatty acids for skin and coat, and minerals for heart and kidney health.
Hill’s offers several large breed food formulas featuring chicken, chicken meal, or lamb meal as the main ingredient. There are no artificial preservatives, no synthetic colors, and no artificial flavors.
Price at Time of Publish: $46 for 15 pounds
Flavors: Chicken meal, barley, and rice; chicken and brown rice | Primary Ingredients: Chicken meal, cracked pearl barley, brown rice | Estimated Calories: 353 kcal/cup | Crude protein (min.): 15.5 percent | Crude fat (min.): 10.5 percent
Best for Small Dogs
Royal Canin
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/royal-canin-small-puppy-dry-dog-food-74b31c1011a1466daab368971ddc7933.jpg)
Chewy
Several formulas for tiny and small dogs of all ages
Small kibble
Contains fiber, amino acids, and antioxidants
Main ingredients are corn and chicken byproduct meal
Have an itty-bitty buddy? There are so many senior dog formulas from Royal Canin based on dog size and age. You can choose from x-small and small and those are even further divided into dogs eight years and older or 12 and older. The x-small is for dogs weighing up to 8 pounds and the small is for dogs from 9 to 22 pounds.
The food features small kibble which is easier for tiny mouths to eat. It has a blend of fiber for digestion support, L-carnitine amino acid for healthy metabolism, and antioxidants. The main ingredient, however, is corn, while chicken byproduct meal is the primary protein.
Price at Time of Publish: $17 for 2.5 pounds
Flavors: Chicken | Primary Ingredients: Brewers rice, chicken fat, chicken byproduct meal | Estimated Calories: 362 kcal/cup | Crude protein (min.): 22 percent | Crude fat (min.): 16 percent
Best for Weight Management
Nutro Natural Choice Senior Dog Dry Food
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/nutro-natural-choice-senior-dog-dry-food-901dce4b27264d05a7652f8abe963e85.jpg)
Amazon
Main ingredient is chicken or lamb
No artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives
Also available in large and small breed sizes
Only comes in two flavors
Many senior dog foods have fewer calories because dogs are often less active as they age. This formula has only 319 calories per cup which is about 100 calories fewer than several other options on this list. Like the others, it has extra calcium to support strong bones and joints, fiber for digestion, and antioxidants for a healthy immune system. The main ingredient is either chicken or lamb, depending on the recipe.
The food is made without corn, wheat, soy protein, or GMOs. It’s also available in small breed senior and large breed senior for special formulas tailored to the needs of small and large aging dogs.
Price at Time of Publish: $36 for 13 pounds
Flavors: Chicken, lamb | Primary Ingredients: Chicken, chicken meal, whole grain barley | Estimated Calories: 319 kcal/cup | Crude Protein (min.): 24 percent | Crude Fat (min.): 12 percent
Best Prescription Food
Hills Prescription Diet Aging Care
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/hills-prescription-diet-gd-aging-care-chicken-flavor-dry-dog-food-veterinary-diet-e41c567fb1894071866724ea28b9fc05.jpg)
Amazon
Formulated for heart, kidneys, and urinary health
Small kibble is easy to chew
Attractive to even picky eaters
More expensive than most
Uses chicken byproduct meal
Also known as therapeutic diets, prescription foods target a certain health condition or life stage and are sold only with a vet’s prescription. This Hills diet for aging care helps target the needs of senior pups. That includes limited amounts of sodium, phosphorus, and protein to protect your dog’s heart and kidneys. It’s formulated to help protect urinary health. It’s a good choice for dogs that are sensitive to too much fat in their diet.
The formula comes in just one flavor—chicken—and has chicken byproducts meal as one of the main ingredients. Veterinary diets are typically much more expensive than mainstream foods and require a vet’s approval to purchase.
Price at Time of Publish: $52 for 8.5 pounds
Flavors: Chicken | Primary Ingredients: Brewers rice, chicken byproduct meal, whole grain wheat | Estimated Calories: 351 kcal/cup | Crude Protein (min.): 18.5 percent | Crude Fat (min.): 11 percent
Best Supplement Chews
Zesty Paws Senior Advanced 11-in-1 Bites
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/senior-advanced-multifunctional-supplement-for-dogs--glucosamine--chondroitin-for-hip--joint-support--f30ac27fe751437c818f80d77ea58e80.jpg)
Amazon
Promotes 11 different functions
No artificial flavors or preservatives
For dogs of all sizes
Can be expensive, particularly for large dogs
These supplements are tiny heart-shaped soft chews packed with ingredients to promote healthy aging. They address nearly a dozen functions including hips and joints, skin health, gut health, immunity, heart, brain, liver, eye health, and urinary and kidney health. For example, they have chondroitin and glucosamine to target joint stiffness, cod liver fish oil and vitamin E for skin health, and cranberry extract, psyllium husk, and vitamins A and C for gut, immune, and bladder function.
The chews have no artificial flavors or preservatives. They can be given to dogs of any size with one chew for dogs up to 25 pounds, three chews for dogs over 75 pounds, and two for any pup in between. The chews are tasty and can be given as a treat or at mealtime.
Price at Time of Publish: $38 for 90 chews
Flavors: Chicken | Primary Ingredients: Psyllium husk, glucosamine, proprietary multifunctional blend
Best Fresh
The Farmer’s Dog Custom Fresh Dog Food
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/the-farmers-dog-d2c732f8089746368751f6c53dc0bb5c.jpg)
The Farmer's Dog
Custom plans
Human-grade ingredients
Free delivery
Easy to change plan or delivery times
Can be pricey, especially for large dogs
Dog food delivery services let you customize fresh meals for your pet and have them dropped right off at your door. The Farmer’s Dog uses human-grade ingredients including meats and vegetables. There are four recipes featuring chicken, turkey, beef, and pork. You fill out a questionnaire that includes information about your pet’s activity level, age, and any health issues to create a personal plan. You can choose or remove any proteins.
The food arrives frozen and ships free to 48 states. You can make changes to your plan or delivery at any time. Prices range from about $2 a day for small dogs, but can get as pricey as $12 for larger pets.
Price at Time of Publish: $2 day and up
Flavors: Chicken, turkey, beef, pork | Primary Ingredients: Turkey, chickpeas, carrots, broccoli, spinach (turkey recipe) | Crude Protein (min.): 33 percent | Crude Fat (min.): 19 percent
A great overall pick is Purina Pro Plan Bright Mind, which focuses on the mental and physical needs of aging dogs. Our favorite canned food option is Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe Senior, which might be a tastier choice for pickier pets or seniors that have trouble chewing.
What to Look for in Dog Food for Older Dogs
AAFCO Nutritional Adequacy Statement
Make sure any food you choose has an AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) statement that indicates the food is nutritionally complete and balanced. Foods with an AAFCO statement have had laboratory testing and feeding trials to make sure they offer complete and balanced nutrition for the life stage of a dog.
Senior foods often contain fewer calories than other adult dog foods because most senior dogs aren’t as active as they were before. Other dogs have trouble keeping weight on as they age so they don’t need to cut back on calories. Ask your vet what is right for your dog.
Senior formulas often have up to 50 percent more protein than other adult diets to help maintain muscle mass, says veterinarian Megan McCarthy, DVM, with Best Friends Animal Society in Salt Lake City. Older dogs usually lose muscle as they age. But some older dogs have medical issues that require a low-protein diet, so check the nutrition that is right for your pet.
Health Issues
Senior foods often contain fewer calories than other adult dog foods because most senior dogs aren’t as active as they were before. Other dogs have trouble keeping weight on as they age so they don’t need to cut back on calories. Ask your vet what is right for your dog.
Senior formulas often have up to 50 percent more protein than other adult diets to help maintain muscle mass, says McCarthy. Older dogs usually lose muscle as they age. But some older dogs have medical issues that require a low-protein diet, so check the nutrition that is right for your pet.
Common Ingredients
Many senior foods contain ingredients added specifically to address the needs of older dogs. Read the label and consult with your vet to see which ingredients might be helpful.
- Fiber – for easier digestion
- Glucosamine and chondroitin – for joint health
- Omega-3 fatty acids – for healthy skin and coat
Why We Don’t Currently Recommend Grain-Free Dog Foods
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is currently investigating a potential link between heart disease in dogs and certain diets, specifically grain-free foods. From 2014 through April 2019, the FDA received 524 reports of a heart condition called canine dilated cardiomyopathy, an increase that suggests factors outside of known genetic predispositions. Where the dog’s diet was reported, the FDA found that more than 90 percent of diagnosed cases involved dogs fed “grain-free” dog foods, and 93 percent were grain-free formulations that included peas and/or lentils.
The FDA continues to investigate the possible connection. In the meantime, dog owners are encouraged to talk to their veterinarian about when and whether a grain-free diet is appropriate for their dog.
-
When should you start feeding your dog senior food?
Small dogs are generally considered to be “mature” or “senior” when they are about seven years old, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.1 Because large breed dogs typically have shorter lives, they are often considered senior by the time they are five or six years old.
But it absolutely depends on your pet and their activity level, lifestyle, and any medical conditions, says veterinarian Barbara Hodges, DVM, program director of advocacy and outreach for the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association.
“Many older pets do have mobility limitations and keeping them lean can be helpful in that regard, so a lower-calorie diet may be appropriate for them if they are wrestling with weight issues,” she says. “Your senior pet may also have medical challenges such as kidney insufficiency, in which case he/she may need a special renal diet with fairly significant protein restriction. It is therefore important to involve your veterinary healthcare provider in discussions about your senior pet’s evolving dietary needs.”
However, not all dogs should be switched to senior foods, cautions McCarthy. “If your dog is already on a special or prescription diet, or has a sensitive stomach, you may want to continue feeding the same ‘adult' dog food instead of a senior dog food to prevent any issues by switching diets,” she suggests.
-
Is wet food better for older dogs?
Dry and wet food have to meet the same nutritional standards, but dry food is popular because it’s easy to feed and less expensive than canned. Some vets recommend dry food because of the benefits it provides for dental health, but unless you are feeding a specific tartar-control food, those benefits can be minor, according to the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University.
But some people feed canned food because their dogs are more interested in eating it, or because of certain health conditions.“Wet food is not necessarily better for older dogs if they are healthy and maintaining their body weight well on a dry diet,” says McCarthy.
“Dogs with dental disease or missing teeth may benefit from a canned diet for ease of chewing. Certain health conditions such as diabetes or kidney disease may benefit from wet food, but it is best to consult with your veterinarian.”
Hodges believes that wet food is better for all dogs, including older ones, because it’s closer than kibble to fresh food, and also offers hydration.
“Wet food is easier to digest and seems to be generally more palatable—and thus, more enthusiastically accepted—by older dogs,” she says. “As dogs age, many also become ‘pickier,’ seeking more novelty in their diets. For this reason, I sometimes suggest rotating among a number of high-quality wet/canned foods.”
-
Is high protein food better for older dogs?
Every dog is an individual and nutrition should be tailored to each pet, says Hodges. “The optimal levels of protein, fat and calories in older dogs’ diets is dependent on their overall health, their body condition/weight, their lifestyle, exercise level and any specific medical conditions,” she says.
That said, moderate to high protein is believed to be best for older dogs, McCarthy says. “Older dogs are prone to losing muscle mass as they age, so feeding a low protein diet may be detrimental. However, if your dog has a condition such as kidney disease, a low protein or protein-restricted diet is best for maintaining kidney health.”
-
Should you wet dry food for older dogs?
Again, this depends on your dog. If your dog has trouble chewing because of dental disease or missing teeth, feeding canned food or wetting dry kibble can make dinnertime easier. It also provides hydration so you can make sure your pet is getting water.
While Hodges prefers feeding canned food because it’s more easily digested and palatable for many older dogs, she understands that many dogs and their owners prefer dry food.
“If, for whatever reason, dry kibble is the only option, I recommend adding low/no-sodium broth or water, making a low-fat ‘gravy’ for the dry food,” she says.
Why Trust The Spruce Pets?
For this roundup, we interviewed multiple veterinary sources and scoured nutritional data for a complete survey of senior dog foods. We read dozens of senior dog food labels, read reviews, and talked to pet owners about the foods they give to their pets.
This article was researched and written by Mary Jo DiLonardo, who has covered animals and pets for several decades. DiLonardo has fostered more than three dozen puppies and dogs and is always searching for the healthiest and most effective products for them.
:strip_icc()/best-dog-supplements-7483519-10d4856eb39b431faebe6d26d07b6701.jpg)
:strip_icc()/Best-Dog-Foods-5a66865ef12a46bbab78d12653a8a65a.jpg)
:strip_icc()/SPR-wyson-UTIcatfood-5lb-ardito_0882-17d23ea89d3643e1a4c81a6d700e823a.jpg)
:strip_icc()/best-dog-food-for-allergies-4173781-3a987de7590547569bb2b1f3251a99a5.jpg)
:strip_icc()/SPR-Hills-ScienceDiet-SensitiveStomachandSkin-Chicken-Cavin-01-39a7b1b54edb4781922bedf1c3331221.jpg)
:strip_icc()/best-premium-dry-cat-food-4150202-1b5425773b474e8dad327ecacfcf77ef.jpg)
:strip_icc()/SPR-Home-the-best-budget-dog-foods-5270232-b0112b77939a4fdbad7dd52124e59350.jpg)
:strip_icc()/SPR-Pets-The-8-Best-Glucosamine-Supplements-for-Dogs-of-2021-4167609-01-32741d7a5d02452a9314d413ba4f7d5f.jpg)
:strip_icc()/jorge-zapata-unsplash-chubby-pug-897a682109ac4140a71e67f6111c4168.jpg)
:strip_icc()/SPR-PurinaOne-HealthyKitten-ChickenAndSalmon-Madonna-01-9836021061844db78176c756ebb6ac93.jpg)
:strip_icc()/SPR-Pets-8-best-dog-chews-4156228-925698fd81ac4cd48491f3f2424fffdc.jpg)
:strip_icc()/Best-Dog-Treats-of-2023-5f63138c1e5e431596cb58333fca2806.jpg)
:strip_icc()/Best-Wet-Dog-Foods-a0d7aca7e750484d8dc1b4cc2ba8a7a3.jpg)
:strip_icc()/SPR-Purina-cannedcatfood-proplanchicken-ardito_8658-d360b7fd8abc41379f3022841451aae9.jpg)
:strip_icc()/GettyImages-1191033764-abc44760dcbd4fcbad24cdf79488d013.jpg)
:strip_icc()/best-holiday-dog-treats-6889368-0cf51b6c5f4b4fa8bdc2a15b5e7141ef.jpg)