What Is The Best Dog Food For A Senior Dog?

What Is The Best Dog Food For A Senior Dog? At foods.edu.vn, we understand the importance of providing optimal nutrition for your aging companion; that’s why choosing the right dog food is essential for their health and well-being. Special diets for senior dogs can alleviate age-related changes. Ensure your senior dog enjoys their golden years with enhanced vitality.

1. What Health Issues Can Arise In Senior Dogs?

Aging pets may experience health challenges, including weight gain, arthritis, and hip and elbow dysplasia, which can lead to limping and discomfort. Subtle changes such as a weakened immune system or decreased cognitive function may also occur. Selecting a diet specifically formulated for senior dogs can mitigate some of these age-related issues, ensuring they maintain their vitality and comfort.

Here’s a list of common issues:

Health Issue	Description	Potential Dietary Solution
Weight Gain	Reduced activity levels can lead to weight gain.	Lower calorie food with balanced nutrients to help maintain a healthy weight.
Arthritis	Joint pain and stiffness can reduce mobility.	Food enriched with glucosamine and chondroitin to support joint health and reduce inflammation.
Hip and Elbow Dysplasia	Joint changes causing limping and pain.	Diets containing omega-3 fatty acids can help reduce inflammation and support joint health.
Weakened Immune System	Reduced immune function makes them more susceptible to illness.	Food with antioxidants like vitamin E and C to boost immune health.
Cognitive Decline	Decreased cognitive function can lead to confusion and memory loss.	Diets with added cognitive support nutrients like L-carnitine and medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) can help maintain brain function.
Dental Issues	Older dogs often have dental problems, making it difficult to chew hard kibble.	Softer, wet food or smaller kibble sizes can ease chewing.
Digestive Issues	Reduced digestive efficiency can lead to nutrient absorption issues.	Food with high-quality, easily digestible proteins and added fiber to promote healthy digestion.
Muscle Loss	Aging can lead to a decrease in muscle mass.	Higher protein content to help maintain muscle mass.
Reduced Appetite	Some older dogs may become picky eaters or have a reduced appetite.	Highly palatable food with enticing flavors and textures to encourage eating. Warming the food slightly can also enhance its aroma and appeal.

2. Why Is Protein Quality Important In Senior Dog Food?

When choosing a diet for mature pets, features like protein quality are essential because older dogs may have more difficulty absorbing nutrients. High-quality protein sources ensure that senior dogs receive the necessary amino acids to maintain muscle mass and support overall health. 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.

Here are a few points to consider:

Muscle Maintenance: Adequate protein intake is crucial for maintaining muscle mass, which tends to decline with age.
Nutrient Absorption: High-quality proteins are easier to digest and absorb, ensuring that senior dogs receive the maximum nutritional benefit.
Overall Health: Quality protein supports various bodily functions, including immune response, enzyme production, and hormone regulation.

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3. Should All Dogs Be Switched To Senior Dog Food?

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.

3.1. When to Stick with Adult Dog Food?

Special or Prescription Diets: If your dog has specific health needs already met by their current diet, changing to a senior formula may disrupt their health management.
Sensitive Stomach: Switching diets can cause digestive upset in dogs with sensitive stomachs, so it’s best to avoid unnecessary changes.

4. What Are The Top Picks For Senior Dog Food?

We evaluated a wide range of dog food brands for senior dogs and sought feedback from 407 dog parents. We polled them on the brand of dog food that works for their household while gleaning additional insights for dogs of all sizes, ages, and breeds. You can learn more about our polling methodology below our recommendations, under the heading How We Found The Best Dog Foods For Older Dogs. We also have additional tips on how to evaluate dog food brands for yourself in the What To Look For section, below.

Here are some top choices:

Brand	Highlights
Hill’s Science Diet Adult 7+ Dog Food	Veterinarian-developed, animal-sourced protein, formulations for various needs.
Fromm Mature Senior Dry Dog Food	Probiotics, free of fillers, real chicken as the first ingredient.
Purina Pro Plan Adult 7+	Real animal protein, antioxidants, glucosamine for joint health.
Iams ProActive Health Mature Adult Dry Dog Food	Budget-friendly, farm-raised chicken, fiber, glucosamine, and antioxidants.
The Farmer’s Dog Fresh Dog Food	Custom plans, human-grade ingredients, fresh delivery.
Royal Canin Large Aging Dry Dog Food	Designed for large dogs, supports bones and joints.
FreshPet Vital Balanced Nutrition Dog Food	Refrigerated, non-GMO, human-grade ingredients.
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Small Breed Senior Dog Food	Designed for small breeds, glucosamine, and chondroitin.
Open Farm Senior Grain-Free Dry Dog Food	Sustainable, antibiotic-free, hormone-free ingredients.
Hill’s Science Diet Perfect Weight & Joint Support Dog Food	Weight management, supports hip mobility.

5. What Is The Best Overall Dog Food?

Hill’s Science Diet Adult 7+ Dog Food stands out as a top choice for senior dogs due to its veterinarian-developed formula, high-quality animal-sourced protein, and formulations catering to various needs. Available in both dry kibble and wet food options, it provides essential vitamins and nutrients for maturing canines. It’s a highly recommended option that dogs enjoy, aligning with AAFCO and WSAVA guidelines.

Key Benefits:

Developed by veterinarians and manufactured in the United States.
Formulations for different age groups (Adult 7+, Adult 11+, and Adult 6+ for large breeds).
Options for small and large breeds, digestive issues, and cognitive support.
Real chicken or beef as the primary protein source.
Prebiotic fiber for digestive health and a balanced gut microbiome.
Nutrients and vitamins like vitamin E and omega-6 fatty acids for skin and coat health.
Available in various kibble sizes and wet food packaging.

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5.1. Hill’s Science Diet Adult 7+ Dog Food

Hill’s Science Diet offers a variety of recipes—including dry kibble and wet dog food—designed to meet the nutritional needs of maturing canines seven years of age or older. The food is made with real animal protein as the first ingredient with human-grade ingredients providing essential vitamins and nutrients.

Hill’s Science Diet Adult 7+ is our top recommendation because dogs seem to enjoy it, and veterinarians highly recommend it. Plus, Hill’s pet food products meet or exceed the nutrient profiles and manufacturing guidelines of AAFCO and the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA).

Developed by veterinarians and manufactured in the United States, Hill’s Science Diet dog food for seniors is categorized into Adult 7+ and Adult 11+ age groups, and Adult 6+ for large breeds. Within each age group, wet and dry food formulations make the food more advantageous for small breeds and large breeds, and for dogs with digestive issues or those who could benefit from cognitive support.

Real chicken or beef is the primary source of protein and the first ingredient. A serving also provides prebiotic fiber to help support digestive health and a balanced gut microbiome, and nutrients and vitamins like vitamin E and omega-6 fatty acids to keep your dog’s skin and coat healthy.

We found that consistently serving Hill’s Science Diet led to straightforward potty sessions and fewer dietary issues. The kibble is available in a variety of sizes, and the wet food is packaged in cans and small plastic trays with lids. However, there is only one flavor of dry food for dogs 7 years and older: chicken, brown rice, and barley.

Type: Kibble | Flavors: Chicken, barley, & brown rice | Package Size: 5, 15, or 33 pounds

6. Which Dog Food Has The Best Probiotics?

Fromm Mature Senior Dry Dog Food is formulated to meet the changing needs of dogs as they get older, and among the 407 dog parents we polled, Fromm received top marks for reliable use of quality ingredients along with overall satisfaction, engagement, and enjoyment experienced by their dog.

Here’s why Fromm stands out:

Quality Ingredients: Fromm is known for its reliable use of high-quality ingredients.
Satisfaction: Dog parents report high satisfaction and engagement with the brand.
Chicken as Primary Ingredient: The recipe features chicken as the primary ingredient.
Whole Grains: Includes whole grains like brown rice and barley for balanced nutrition.
Fruits and Vegetables: Contains fruits and vegetables for essential vitamins and minerals.
Probiotic Blend: Optimized to keep the digestive system and metabolism functioning properly.
Weight Management: Helps prevent unintended weight gain.

6.1. Fromm Mature Senior Dry Dog Food

Fromm Classic Mature Adult Dog Food is formulated to meet the changing needs of dogs as they get older, and among the 407 dog parents we polled, Fromm received top marks for reliable use of quality ingredients along with overall satisfaction, engagement, and enjoyment experienced by their dog.

The recipe for mature canines is made with chicken as the primary ingredient, whole grains (brown rice and barley), fruits, and vegetables to provide complete and balanced nutrition in each serving. A blend of prebiotics and probiotics developed by Fromm is optimized to keep the digestive system and metabolism functioning properly which also helps prevent unintended weight gain. But the food for seniors only comes in one flavor, chicken, and it includes dairy in the ingredients, which some dogs cannot tolerate—but other dogs really enjoy!

Fromm dog food is sold online and at specialty retailers, and it’s usually more expensive than other foods that made our list.

Type: Kibble | Flavors: Chicken | Package Size: 15 or 30 pounds

7. What Is The Best Wet Dog Food For Senior Dogs?

Purina Pro Plan Adult 7+ Senior Complete Essentials Wet Dog Food stands out as an excellent choice, providing 23 essential vitamins and minerals to support optimal health in fully grown-up pups. It contains glucosamine for joint health, and antioxidants and probiotics to keep their immune and digestive systems healthy.

Here’s why Purina Pro Plan is a top pick:

Essential Nutrients: Contains 23 essential vitamins and minerals.
Joint Support: Includes glucosamine for joint health.
Immune and Digestive Health: Contains antioxidants and probiotics.
Animal-Sourced Protein: Made with human-grade ingredients including beef, turkey, or chicken.
Easy-to-Digest Rice: Includes rice that is easy to digest.
No Artificial Colors or Preservatives: Free of artificial colors and preservatives.
Botanical Oils: The smaller-size wet food includes botanical oils to promote alertness.

However, some recipes include corn starch, protein byproducts, and artificial flavors to enhance their appeal to a dog.

7.1. Purina Pro Plan Adult 7+

For dogs of all sizes who are 7 or older, Purina Pro Plan Adult 7+ Senior Complete Essentials Wet Dog Food serves up 23 essential vitamins and minerals in each recipe to keep fully grown-up pups in optimal health. They also include glucosamine for joint health, and antioxidants and probiotics to keep their immune and digestive systems healthy. The recipes are all made with human-grade ingredients including animal-sourced protein—beef, turkey, or chicken—along with easy-to-digest rice.

Purina Pro Plan’s wet food is free of artificial colors and preservatives and is packaged in 13-ounce cans and 10-ounce tubs with resealable lids. The smaller-size wet food for seniors also includes botanical oils to promote alertness. However, some recipes include corn starch, protein byproducts, and artificial flavors to enhance their appeal to a dog.

Type: Wet | Flavors: Chicken & rice; beef & rice; turkey & rice | Package Size: 10 or 13 ounces

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8. What Is A Good Budget Friendly Dog Food For Senior Dogs?

Iams ProActive Health Healthy Aging Dry dog Food is priced affordably and made with human-grade ingredients, including farm-raised chicken as the first ingredient. For senior dogs, the food provides 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.

Here are the reasons Iams is a great budget-friendly choice:

Affordable: Priced affordably without sacrificing quality.
Farm-Raised Chicken: Made with human-grade ingredients, including farm-raised chicken as the first ingredient.
Fiber and Prebiotics: Provides fiber and prebiotics for healthy digestion.
Antioxidants: Contains antioxidants to support the immune system.
Glucosamine and Chondroitin: Includes glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health.
No Artificial Additives: Made with no artificial preservatives or flavors and no fillers.
Readily Available: Easily found at most pet food retailers.

8.1. Iams ProActive Health Mature Adult Dry Dog Food

You don’t have to sacrifice quality when shopping for budget-friendly dog food. Iams Proactive Health Healthy Aging Dry dog Food is priced affordably and made with human-grade ingredients, including farm-raised chicken as the first ingredient. For senior dogs, the food provides 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 kibble 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. It is readily available at most pet food retailers.

Type: Kibble | Flavors: Chicken | Package Size: 7, 15, or 29.1 pounds

9. Which Dog Food Offers The Best Subscription Service?

The Farmer’s Dog stands out as the best subscription service, allowing you to customize fresh meals for your pet and have them delivered right to your door. It uses human-grade ingredients, including meats and vegetables, with four recipes featuring chicken, turkey, beef, and pork.

Here are the highlights of The Farmer’s Dog:

Custom Plans: Offers personalized meal plans based on your dog’s needs.
Human-Grade Ingredients: Uses high-quality, human-grade ingredients.
Free Delivery: Delivers meals directly to your door for free in 48 states.
Flexible: Easy to change your plan or delivery times at any time.
Variety of Recipes: Features four recipes including chicken, turkey, beef, and pork.

9.1. The Farmer’s Dog Fresh Dog Food

Dog food delivery services let you customize fresh meals for your pet and have them dropped off right 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 per day for larger pets.

Type: Frozen | Flavors: Chicken, beef, pork, turkey | Package Size: Varies

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10. What Is The Best Dog Food For Large Breed Senior Dogs?

Royal Canin Large Aging 8+ Dry Dog Food is formulated for large dogs (56-100 pounds), and of the participants in our panel who feed their dog Royal Canin food, the majority attribute their dog’s continued health to their diet, which is suited for their specific size, age, and needs.

Here’s why Royal Canin is ideal for large aging dogs:

Size-Specific Formulation: Specifically designed for large dogs (56-100 pounds).
Health Benefits: Dog owners attribute their dog’s continued health to this diet.
Protein and Fiber: Provides protein and fiber for smooth digestive system function.
Hydration: Can be mixed with water for easier chewing and hydration.

This nutritionally balanced food provides protein and fiber to keep a dog’s digestive system running smoothly. But the food’s first ingredient is chicken byproduct meal, which some pet parents prefer to avoid. If your mature dog is missing any teeth or needs more motivation to eat, this chicken-flavored kibble can be mixed with water to make it easier to chew and give them more hydration with each meal. You can also mix Royal Canin Mature 8+ Wet Dog Food in their bowl for more variety.

10.1. Royal Canin Large Aging Dry Dog Food

Bigger dogs tend to put a lot of stress on their heart and joints, so giving them food designed to support their needs with taurine, glucosamine, chondroitin, and omega fatty acids (EPA and DHA)—especially as they get older—can enhance their overall well-being.

Type: Kibble | Flavors: Chicken | Package Size: 30 pounds

11. Which Refrigerated Dog Food Is Best?

Why FreshPet is a great refrigerated option:

Freshness and Flavor: Offers the freshness and flavor of home-cooked meals.
Picky Eaters: Appeals to picky eaters with its soft texture and meaty flavor.
Oral Sensitivities: The soft texture is ideal for dogs with oral sensitivities.
High-Quality Ingredients: The brand’s quality ingredients received high marks among home testers.
Suitable for All Ages: All recipes are suitable for adult dogs of any age.
Human-Grade Ingredients: Made with human-grade ingredients sourced and manufactured in the United States.
Variety of Recipes: Offers grain-free recipes and formulations for joint and mobility and digestive support.

11.1. FreshPet Vital Balanced Nutrition Dog Food

FreshPet Vital Balanced Nutrition Dog Food offers the freshness, flavor, and nutritional value of making home-cooked meals for dogs all conveniently packaged and stored in the refrigerator. If your senior dog is a picky eater or has oral sensitivities, they will likely find the soft texture and meaty flavor to be satisfying and appealing. The brand’s quality ingredients received high marks among our home testers, putting FreshPet on par with our Best Overall pick, Hill’s Science Diet.

There isn’t a specific line for senior dogs, but all recipes are suitable for adult dogs of any age. The refrigerated dog food is made with human-grade ingredients, including farm-raised chicken, fish, beef, eggs, fruits, and vegetables, all sourced and manufactured within the United States. There are grain-free recipes along with formulations for joint and mobility and digestive support, but they may not be available in all flavors.

The food is packaged in resealable bags and is shaped into bite-sized pieces resembling meatballs.

Type: Refrigerated | Flavors: Chicken; beef with lamb; chicken, beef, salmon, & egg | Package Size: 1.5 or 4.5 pound bags; 1 pound roll

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12. What Is The Best Dog Food For Small Breed Senior Dogs?

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula for Small Breed Seniors is designed to help keep little dogs’ energy levels up, their joints pain-free, and their minds sharp as they age.

Here’s what makes Blue Buffalo a great option for small breed seniors:

High-Quality Ingredients: Consistent and reliable use of high-quality, human-grade ingredients.
Small Kibble Size: The dry food consists of smaller pieces of kibble for easy consumption and digestion.
Joint Support: Contains glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health and mobility.
Nutrient-Rich: Includes antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and essential vitamins.
No Poultry Byproduct Meals: Contains no poultry byproduct meals.

12.1. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Small Breed Senior Dog Food

Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula for Small Breed Seniors is designed to help keep little dogs’ energy levels up, their joints pain-free, and their minds sharp as they age. Among our 407 dog parent panelists who feed their dog Blue Buffalo, the majority praised the brand for its consistent and reliable use of high-quality, human-grade ingredients.

The dry food consists of smaller pieces of kibble to make it easier for small-breed dogs to consume and digest. The recipe is manufactured in the United States using deboned chicken as the first ingredient along with antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and nutrients like glucosamine, chondroitin, calcium, phosphorus, and essential vitamins. But there is only one flavor, chicken and brown rice, so it’s not suitable for small senior dogs with sensitivities to poultry.

The kibble is sold in two sizes, 5- or 15-pound resealable bags, to keep the freshness intact.

Type: Kibble | Flavors: Chicken & brown rice | Package Size: 5 or 15 pounds

13. Which Dog Food Is The Most Sustainable?

Here’s why Open Farm is a sustainable choice:

Optimized for Senior Dogs: Offers a dry food recipe specifically designed for older dogs.
Suitable for All Sizes: The small kibble pieces are easy to consume and digest.
Humanely Raised Protein: Made with humanely raised turkey and chicken as the primary sources of protein.
GMO-Free Ingredients: All ingredients are free of GMOs.
No Hormones or Antibiotics: Ingredients are never raised using hormones, antibiotics, or steroids.
Joint Support: Includes glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health.
Transparent Sourcing: Offers meticulous tracing and transparency into all ingredients.

13.1. Open Farm Senior Grain-Free Dry Dog Food

Open Farm’s line of dog food includes one dry food recipe optimized for older dogs. The Senior Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is suitable for dogs of any size with small kibble pieces that are easier to consume and digest. The nutrient-rich kibble is made with humanely raised turkey and chicken as the primary sources of protein and the first two ingredients. All ingredients are free of GMOs and never raised using hormones, antibiotics, or steroids.

Each bowl of Senior Grain-Free Dry Dog Food includes glucosamine and chondroitin to help your senior dog’s joints stay strong and healthy, along with pumpkin, peas, chickpeas, carrots, and coconut oil. Open Farms offers meticulous tracing and transparency into all of the ingredients used to create their foods for dogs.

Type: Kibble | Flavors: Turkey & chicken | Package Size: 4 or 22 pounds

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14. What Is The Best Dog Food For Weight Management?

Hill’s Science Diet Perfect Weight & Joint Support Dog Food is formulated to help your dog achieve and maintain a healthy weight, featuring a balanced blend of high-quality ingredients.

Reasons to choose Hill’s Science Diet for weight management:

Healthy Weight: Formulated to help dogs achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
High-Quality Ingredients: Features a balanced blend of high-quality ingredients.
Antioxidants and Prebiotic Fibers: Aids in digestion and helps dogs feel full between meals.
Joint Support: Includes omega-3 fatty acids to support joint health.
Mobility: Contains glucosamine and chondroitin to promote flexibility and hip mobility.

14.1. Hill’s Science Diet Perfect Weight & Joint Support Dog Food

If you’re concerned about your senior dog’s weight gain, Hill’s Science Diet Perfect Weight & Joint Support Dog Food is formulated to help your dog achieve and maintain a healthy weight. This dry food features a balanced blend of high-quality ingredients, and the first one is chicken. Enriched with antioxidants and prebiotic fibers, this dry dog food aids in digestion and helps your dog feel full between meals. This particular product has a large kibble and is made for medium to large dogs, so it isn’t appropriate for small breeds.

In addition to managing your dog’s weight, this food includes omega-3 fatty acids to support joint health and glucosamine and chondroitin to promote flexibility, hip mobility, and healthy cartilage.

Type: Dry | Flavors: Chicken | Package Size: 3.5, 12, and 25 pounds

15. What Should You Look For In Dog Food For Older Dogs?

Selecting the right dog food for older dogs involves careful consideration of several factors to ensure their specific nutritional needs are met.

15.1. 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.

15.2. 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 veterinarian Megan McCarthy, DVM, with Best Friends Animal Society in Salt Lake City. Older dogs usually lose muscle as they age. However, some older dogs have medical issues that require a low-protein diet, so check that the nutrition is right for your pet.

15.3. 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.

15.4. Grain Free Debate

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 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.

15.5. Wet Food or Dry Food

Dry foods for dogs usually contain 10 to 12 percent moisture content, while wet foods on average contain 75 to 78 percent moisture. But while wet food will keep your dog more hydrated, there’s a trade-off since it may also increase tartar buildup on your dog’s teeth. One option is to alternate wet and dry food, getting the benefits of both.

Wet food is also a good choice for dogs who are finicky or have dental issues such as missing teeth. If your senior dog has orthopedic ailments, they might not be getting up to drink from their bowl as much as they used to, so wet food may help with hydration.

16. How Was The Best Dog Foods For Older Dogs Determined?

To evaluate dog foods, our research panel put together a comprehensive questionnaire, asking dog owners to describe the qualities that matter most to them when they choose a food for their dog at each life stage. We learned what brands were recommended by veterinarians, and which had the most trustworthy list of ingredients. We also looked for high-value brands that fit in people’s budgets and brands with wide retailer availability.

We also gathered details about a dog’s size, breed, age, and history, which helped us make picks tailored to a wide range of dogs, since the best senior dog food for a Chihuahua missing a few teeth won’t be the optimal food for a 10-year-old Labrador retriever mix.

In total, 407 respondents described how they and their dogs felt about the dog foods they currently feed or previously fed at home, using a combination of numerical scores and detailed feedback.

17. FAQ About Senior Dog Food

17.1. When Should You Start Feeding Your Dog Senior Food?

Small dogs are generally considered to be “mature” or “senior” when they are about 8 years old, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. Because large breed dogs typically have shorter lives, they are often considered senior by the time they are 5 or 6 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.”

17.2. 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.

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 several high-quality wet/canned foods.”

17.3. 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