The Best Dog Foods To Feed Your Senior Pup
Keep him healthy and happy with these senior dog foods đȘ

As your dog gets older, you might think itâs OK to feed him the same adult dog food that youâve always fed him.
But when your pup reaches a certain age, you should actually feed him senior dog food since itâs better suited for an older dogâs nutritional requirements.
The Dodo spoke to some veterinarians to find out how senior and adult dog foods are different and when to switch your pup to senior food.
- Wet senior dog food: Purina Pro Plan Senior Beef & Rice Entree Canned Dog Food
- Senior dog food for sensitive stomachs: Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin & Stomach for Adults 7+
- Senior dog food for small breeds: Hill's Science Diet Adult 7+ Small Paws Chicken Meal, Barley & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
- Senior dog food for large breeds: Purina Pro Plan Senior 7+ Brain Support
- Senior dog food for medium breeds: Royal Canin Veterinary Diet Mature Consult Medium Breed Dry Senior Dog Food
- Senior dog food for arthritis: Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets JM Joint Mobility Dry Dog Food
Why do senior dogs need different food?
Dogs need different amounts of nutrients at different life stages. So when your dogâs a puppy, heâll need puppy food to help him grow, and when he starts getting older, heâll need senior dog food.
âSenior dogs have a different nutritional requirement than younger dogs,â Dr. Rebeca Oliveira, a veterinarian at NHV Natural Pet, told The Dodo. âWith senior dogs, their energy levels are lower, and more often than not, health issues start to appear. So it is only fair that we adjust their food to meet their nutritional requirements.â
What makes senior dog food different?
Senior dog food has a bunch of differences from adult dog food.
âIn general, senior dog foods have less protein to facilitate the kidneys, less fat and less calories because their metabolism is slower,â Dr. Oliveira said.
Diets that are too high in protein can damage the kidneys because they have to work extra hard to remove the excess protein from the blood.
The amount of protein that your senior dog food should contain depends on your individual dog, though. Some senior dog foods contain more protein than adult dog foods instead of less because older dogs can experience muscle loss as they age. If youâre not sure how much protein is appropriate for your pup, ask your vet what the right amount is.
As dogs get older, their metabolism slows down, which can lead to obesity. Senior dogs are also usually less active because of other health problems, such as arthritis, and they can easily gain weight if their diets arenât adjusted to include less calories.
âSenior dogs tend to not be as active and therefore require less calories which could cause unwanted weight gain [and] can put stress on their joints,â Dr. Alex Crow, a veterinarian with Happiest Dog, told The Dodo.
When to switch your dog to senior dog food
The age at which you should switch your pup to senior dog food will depend on a few factors, including his size, health and how active he is.
Some older dogs wonât actually need to eat senior dog food if theyâre still active and donât have any health problems.
âThis is only recommended when you start to see a decline in your dogâs activity and if they have other conditions that require specialized food,â Dr. Crow said.
Size is also a factor that affects the age at which your pupâs considered a senior since small dogs tend to age more slowly than big dogs.
âUsually for smaller dogs, the veterinarian would suggest switching the food [at] around 8 to 9 years old, whereas for larger dogs, [you should switch at] around 7 years old,â Dr. Oliveira said.
When you should switch your dog to senior food also depends on his overall health. Overweight dogs might need to be transitioned to a senior diet earlier than dogs who are in shape.
âIf they are considered a senior and overweight, you should also change over to senior dog food, as this can put pressure on their joints and make any underlying conditions worse,â Dr. Crow said.
If your dog has other underlying conditions, such as kidney disease, joint problems or heart disease, youâll need to switch him to senior dog food (and likely to a special diet), too, Dr. Oliveira said.
If youâre not sure if your dogâs ready for a senior diet yet, talk to your vet to get their advice.
What to look for in senior dog food
One thing to look out for in senior dog food (and food for other life stages, like puppy food) is that the nutritional requirements meet the standards set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) for adult dogs (aka adult maintenance).
âYou must ensure that the dog food is AAFCO-approved,â Dr. Keston Smith, a medical director at Bond Vet, told The Dodo. âYou can look at the nutritional adequacy statement on the label of any dog food you are purchasing, and if the phrase âcomplete and balancedâ appears, then the food has met the AAFCO's nutritional profile regulations.â
Make sure the food is made with real whole-food ingredients, such as lamb, beef and corn. The first ingredient in the food should ideally be a natural ingredient, like chicken.
Dr. Smith also recommends choosing food thatâs not grain-free. âGrain-free diets that are not prescription may be associated with heart disease if given over long periods of time,â Dr. Smith said.
According to Dr. Crow, another good ingredient for a senior dog food to have is omega-3 fatty acids. âThis is really helpful for dogsâ joints as they age, especially if they have arthritis,â Dr. Crow said.
Best senior dog foods
Here are some vet-recommended senior dog foods that meet the AAFCO nutrition recommendations for adult dogs.

The omega-3 fatty acids, glucosamine, antioxidants and vitamin E in this food help support your dogâs joints. It also contains a high protein-to-calorie ratio to promote lean muscle mass as your pup ages.
- Recommended for dogs of any age with joint problems
- Food type: Veterinarian prescription required
- First three ingredients: Brewers rice, trout, salmon meal
- Add-ons we love: Glucosamine to support cartilage

This prescription senior dog food is made for dogs who are between 23 and 55 pounds. It contains amino acids to support your dogâs muscles and nutrients for healthy skin and coat.
- Recommended for dogs 7 years or older
- Food type: Veterinarian prescription required
- First four ingredients: Corn, corn gluten meal, wheat, chicken by-product meal
- Add-ons we love: Antioxidant complex, including lycopene and beta-carotene

Your large senior dog will love this food thatâs made with real chicken and rice. It includes EPA, an omega-3 fatty acid, and glucosamine to support your dogâs joints and live probiotics for healthy immune and digestive systems. Plus, it contains enhanced botanical oils to promote brain function as he ages.
- Recommended for dogs 7 years or older
- Food type: Over-the-counter dry food
- First three ingredients: Chicken, rice, poultry by-product meal (source of glucosamine)
- Add-ons we love: Enhanced botanical oils for a sharp mind

This dog food is formulated for dogs aged 7 and up and who weigh up to 25 pounds. The antioxidants and vitamins C and E support your dogâs immune system, and omega-6 fatty acids promote skin and coat health. Itâs made from natural, high-quality ingredients that your small senior pup will love.
- Recommended for dogs 7 years or older
- Food type: Over-the-counter dry food
- First three ingredients: Chicken meal, cracked pearled barley, brown rice
- Add-ons we love: Antioxidants and vitamins C and E for a healthy immune system

This senior dog food is made with salmon and rice and includes probiotics and prebiotics to support your dogâs digestive and immune systems. Plus, omega-6 fatty acids will keep your pupâs coat and skin healthy. It also includes glucosamine and omega-3 fatty acids for joint health.
- Recommended for dogs 7 years or older
- Food type: Over-the-counter dry food
- First three ingredients: Salmon, rice, barley
- Add-ons we love: Sunflower oil for healthy skin and coat

This senior wet dog food is made for adult dogs aged 7 and older. It contains real beef and tons of protein to keep your pupâs muscles strong, and it has no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives.
- Recommended for dogs 7 years or older
- Food type: Over-the-counter wet food
- First three ingredients: Water, beef, poultry
- Add-ons we love: 23 essential vitamins and minerals
Finding a good senior dog food for your pup will ensure he stays just as healthy and active in his senior years. If you have any questions about the best food to feed your pup, talk to your veterinarian.
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