The 8 Best Foods for Older Dogs in 2020

Nutro Wholesome Essentials Chicken flavor is formulated for dogs seven and older and is made with protein (chicken, in this case) as its number one ingredient. It comes in either a five, 15 or 30 pound bag and contains brown rice and sweet potatoes for healthy carbohydrates. It contains 23% protein and 12% fat, has added Omega 3 & 6 fatty acids for skin and coat health and antioxidants to support your aging dog’s immune system. This food is made without by-products, soy, corn, wheat or artificial colors, so it’s great for sensitive stomachs.

We picked Nutro Wholesome Essentials as our best overall food for older dogs because it’s a great, well rounded product that’s perfect for a variety of breeds and sizes. It’s offered at an affordable price while still providing high quality, natural ingredients and a boost of energy for your dogs.

As senior pups age, many face dental issues that can cause loose and sometimes missing teeth. Of course, it’s important to feed your senior dog food that is easy for him or her to digest, so wet food are often the best choice for dogs with dental issues. Nutro Ultra Senior Pate Dog Food is a high-protein wet food that’s created with older dogs in mind. This pate is made from a mixture of chicken, lamb and salmon, and is packed with amino acids and antioxidants to help maintain muscle health and immunity. Each container is 3.5 ounces and comes in a pack of 24. It’s made up of 7% protein, 5% fat and 78% moisture.

Dog owners love Nutro Ultra Senior Pate Dog Food because it's appetizing to even the pickiest of eaters. One reviewer even says it helped turn his senior dog “into a puppy again.” If your aging pup struggles with missing teeth, feed him a high quality wet food he’ll love.

Overweight senior dogs are more likely to struggle with arthritis, diabetes and heart issues. That’s why it’s essential to feed your dog a food that won’t add extra calories, especially as his activity levels decrease. If your veterinarian has suggest your dog lose a few pounds, check out Merrick Grain-Free Healthy Weight Recipe Dry Dog Food. This healthy weight recipe is made from beef, chicken, peas, sweet potatoes and potatoes and provides your aging pooch with the protein he needs without any extra fat he doesn’t. It’s also formulated with Omega 6 and 3 fatty acids for skin health, and glucosamine and chondroitin to protect his joints. It’s made of 32% protein and 8% fat so it’s perfect for pups who need energy but not too many calories.

Owners love Merrick dog food, saying it helps their pups shed unwanted weight without being unappealing to picky eaters. Merrick is a high quality, high protein dog food perfect for any plump pooch.

Though many senior dogs struggle with weight loss, if your picky pup can’t keep on enough weight for optimum health, a food with high protein and higher fat content can help provide necessary nutrients. Purina Pro Plan Sport Performance Dry Dog Food is a high-calorie food that can help your active senior keep his weight on. Chicken is the number-one ingredient, and it contains 30% protein and 20% fat. Though it’s formulated for active dogs, it is also a great choice for less active seniors who are struggling to gain a little weight. It also contains added amino acids to support strong muscles.

Purina Pro Plan 30/20 Formula is a good choice for highly active dogs or those who need to put on a little weight. It’s a high-calorie and protein-rich food that can help active dogs maintain muscle mass and underweight seniors gain a necessary pound or two.

Whether your senior dog has struggled with a sensitive stomach his whole life or it’s developed in his golden years, Blue Buffalo Basics Limited Ingredient Diet is a great choice. A limited ingredient dog food allows you to eliminate the foods that upset your dog’s stomach while still providing a well-rounded, healthy meal. This turkey and potato recipe is made up of 18% protein and 10% fat. The single-source protein (turkey) is a good choice for picky eaters because it’s appealing, but easy to digest. It also has added glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health and taurine for heart health.

A happy dog is one who doesn’t suffer from dry, itchy skin. One of the most common skin allergens for dogs is grain, so a grain-free senior dog food is a must if your pup suffers from troubled skin. The Halo Holistic Grain Free Natural Dry Dog Food for Senior Dogs is formulated specifically for your mature, sensitive pup. Low in calories, it’s made with real, whole protein and is high in fiber to help aid in digestion and stomach problems. On top of that, it doesn’t include any antibiotics, artificial flavors or colors, and contains only non-GMO foods. Another pro: Halo offers you a 14-day money-back guarantee if for any reason their foods don’t work for your pup. This can be a great benefit, especially for dog owners trying to find the right fit for their itchy pooch.

Nulo Senior Grain Free Dog Food With Glucosamine and Chondroitin contains two of the most popular additives (glucosamine and chondroitin) for joint and hip health. This high-protein dry food is made with trout and turkey and has 30% protein and 12% fat. One of the best things you can do for your dog with joint problems is keep his weight down, and Nulo is made with lean proteins that won’t add unnecessary calories. It has 400 mg of glucosamine and 350 mg of chondroitin to help protect and repair achy joints.

Dog owners say Nulo Grain Free Senior Food is great for sensitive stomachs, picky eaters—and most importantly, arthritic pups.