As our beloved pets age, it’s common for their nutritional needs to evolve, especially as activity habits change and new health conditions emerge. To best support your dog’s overall wellness in their later years, you may want to consider transitioning to a new food (after discussing this with your vet, of course). The best dog food for senior dogs caters your pet’s specific needs as well as prioritizes high-quality ingredients that target digestion, joint health, cognition and more. Our top pick, Open Farm Grain-Free Dry Dog Food For Senior Dogs, is made with key nutrients like healthy fats, antioxidants and protein to support aging dogs’ overall wellness.
As dogs age, metabolism slows, activity often decreases, and there’s an increased risk of weight gain, muscle loss and cognitive changes,” says veterinarian Dr. Tiffany Tupler. If your dog is showing any of these signs, it’s a good idea to talk to your vet about new pet food options that may better suit their evolving needs. Below, we underlined some of the best senior dog foods according to veterinary guidance that support maintaining healthy weight, muscle retention, brain health and more.
Best Dog Food For Senior Dogs Overall
High-Protein Formula With Key Nutrients For Brain And Joint Health
Type: Dry kibble | Whole animal proteins: Turkey, chicken Crude protein: 31% Calories per cup: 401 kcal | AAFCO-compliant: Yes
What we love:
Easy to digest
Good source of Omega-3 fatty acids
Vitamins to support joint health
Keep in mind:
Several proteins included
Both veterinarians we interviewed emphasize the importance of dog foods with nutrient-dense ingredients that are low in calories and easy to digest. That’s why this grain-free senior dog food from Open Farm is a great choice. It’s high in protein from both poultry and fish sources to support strength and satiation, and there are a range of nutrient-dense fruits and vegetables included like sweet potatoes, pumpkin and apples.
Veterinary nutritionist Dr. Lisa Weeth says that omega-3 fatty acids are crucial for supporting brain and joint health, and this formula features natural sources from ingredients like salmon oil and flaxseed. It also includes natural sources of antioxidants, which Weath recommends for brain health and overall wellness, from ingredients like berries and dandelion greens.
The incorporation of chicken, turkey and fish as protein sources in this food is useful for streamlining several vitamins into a well-balanced diet, but this means it may not be the best choice for dogs with allergies or intolerances to certain protein types. And unfortunately, Open Farm doesn’t offer multiple recipe options of its senior formula.
Best Wet Dog Food For Seniors
Easily Digestible And Loved By Finicky Dogs
Type: Wet, minced | Whole animal proteins: Chicken, turkey or beef. Crude protein: 3.5% Calories per can: 375 kcal | AAFCO-compliant: Yes
What we love:
Great for picky eaters
Antibiotics for brain health and immunity
Designed with heart & kidney health in mind
Keep in mind:
All recipes include corn, if that’s something your pup is sensitive to.
Lower protein content
While wet food is not inherently better than dry food for dogs, it does come with hydration benefits for your pup. Plus, if your dog is a picky eater who turns their nose up at plain kibble, they may be more excited to find a wet formula with a stronger scent and flavor. If your older pup has dental issues, they may also find it more comfortable to eat a softer food.
This canned wet food from Hill’s Science Diet is formulated with older dogs in mind, as its recipes are designed to be readily digestible for sensitive stomachs; it also has a nutrient profile that supports aging heart and kidney health. In addition, vitamin C and E are featured antioxidants that help support brain health and immunity. This is a crowd-pleasing recipe among picky eaters; Most reviewers report their dogs enjoyed this food with no digestive issues. (One common complaint is with the design of the can, which may be difficult to open and get all of the food leftovers out.)
Best Fresh Dog Food For Seniors
Fresh, Nutrient-Dense Ingredients To Entice Your Pup
Type:Fresh | Whole animal proteins: Chicken and salmon Crude protein: 10% Calories per half pound: 258 kcal AAFCO-compliant: Yes
What we love:
Whole food ingredients
Great source of Omega-3 and antioxidants
high protein
Keep in mind:
Packaging can make storage messy
Although Weeth says that processing whole ingredients like fruits and vegetables into a dry kibble may degrade some of the nutrients, there are no scientific studies to prove that fresh food is a more nourishing choice for dogs. Still, some owners prefer fresh food as a way to tempt their aging dogs, especially as their senses of smell (and, subsequently, taste) start to deteriorate. Plus, fresh dog foods typically offer more moisture to support your dog’s hydration.
This fresh formula from FreshPet is designed specifically for senior dogs, with nutrient-dense ingredients like chicken and salmon, spinach, crannies and carrots to support aging joints, healthy digestion and muscle maintenance. This formula comes in a 2-pound roll, which users will have to cut and measure to best serve their individual pet’s needs (there is a guide included on the packaging for suggested serving sizes via weight). However, some owners have reported that opening and storing this roll can be messy, and serving it may require manual crumbling for optimal consumption.
Best Senior Dog Food For Brain Health
Vitamins, Omega-3s And Antioxidants To Support Mental Sharpness
Type: Dry kibble | Whole animal proteins: Chicken, fish meal Crude protein: 29% Calories per cup: 423 kcal | AAFCO-compliant: Yes
What we love:
Omega-3s, antioxidants and other vitamins for cognitive
Live probiotics for digestive health
Botanical Oils
Keep in mind:
Kibble pieces are very small
Supporting cognition and brain health becomes increasingly important as dogs get older—just as it does with humans. “As brains age, they start to lose some of their weight and their mass,” explains Weeth. To combat this, she recommends diets that are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants. This Purina Pro Plan formula prioritizes brain health, with a blend of DHA and EPA Omega-3s, plus antioxidants and B vitamins.
The dry food also incorporate live probiotics to support gut health in senior dogs, plus vitamin A for a healthy coat and skin. Reviewers say their aging dogs enjoy this food, with some even reporting improved energy levels and attentiveness after their pups ate the formula for an extended period of time. Just note that the kibble pieces are very small—particularly for large dogs—and the bag is not resealable for easy storage.
Best Senior Dog Food For Joint Health
Human-Grade Ingredients That Work As Full Meals Or Toppers
Type:Fresh | Whole animal proteins: Pork | Crude protein: 9% Calories per ouch: 576 kcal | AAFCO-compliant: Yes
What we love:
Support healthy joints with glucosamine and antioxidants
Collagen included for skin health
Fresh, human grade ingredients
Keep in mind:
Pork only protein source option
Can be expensive, especially for large dogs
According to Weeth, joint disease like arthritis is a common age-related condition throughout senior dogs of all sizes and breeds. To best support their joint health, diet is a great place to start. This fresh formula from JustFoodFor Dogs, a brand commonly recommended by veterinarians our editors have chatted with, was developed with that goal in mind, as it features ingredients like glucosamine to treat inflammation, plus natural sources of antioxidants like kale and linenseed.
In addition to targeting joint health, this food is also designed to support healthy skin with the inclusion of type II collagen, and it’s easy to digest thanks to its single-protein source and natural ingredients that are low in fat and high in fibre. (Though pork is the only protein source option, which may not be a good match for all dogs.) All of the ingredients are gently cooked and human-grade, making them an tempting choice for most pups–whether you use it as a full meal or as a topper.
Best Senior Dog Food For Sensitive Stomachs
Gut-Friendly Ingredients That Are Easy On Aging Digestive Systems
Type: Dry kibble | Whole animal proteins: Turkey Crude protein: 18% Calories per cup: 348 kcal | AAFCO-compliant: Yes
What we love:
Easily digestible ingredients
Multiple sources of anti-inflammatory fatty acids
Free from common allergens like corn, wheat and soybean
Keep in mind:
May not suit picky eaters
Digestion issues may surface in senior dogs who otherwise never had any, as their activity levels and overall gastrointestinal system slowed down. It is also common for dogs to develop new intolerances to certain ingredients as they get older. In this case, switching to a food that’s easier to digest may make a big difference.
This Blue Buffalo Basics food is formulated with senior dogs’ healthy digestion in mind. It’s free from corn, wheat and soy—common allergens that dogs may have trouble digestion—and it includes gut-friendly ingredients like oatmeal, brown rice and potatoes. This food also prioritizes muscle health and joint support, thanks to its high-protein profile and inclusion of antioxidant-rich ingredients like hempseed and blueberries.
Owners report that their dogs typically endure this food well, even if they have a history of digestive issues. Although others have said they have trouble getting their pup to eat it—so a gut-healthy topper may help to pique their interest.
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