Age, they say, is just a number—and that goes for our canine companions, too. With regular veterinary care, a healthy lifestyle and plenty of love, your senior dog can live their best life and make the most of their golden years.
One of the most important parts of a healthy lifestyle? Nutrition. Just like humans, dogs require a nutritious, high-quality diet to thrive, and their dietary needs change throughout the course of their life. If your four-legged friend is getting older and wiser, it’s time to reevaluate their diet and ensure they’re set up for success with the best senior dog food.
Why Do Older Dogs Need Senior Dog Food?
Some things about your dog will never change—for example, the way they look at you when you walk through the door, or the way their ears perk up when they hear the word “bacon.”
However, dietary needs change as our dogs age, explains Dr. Jessica Herman, DVM, a small-animal veterinarian based in Shelbyville, Kentucky.
“It is very important to feed your dog appropriately for [their] life stage,” says Dr. Herman. “Senior pets require a lower-calorie product that is high in fiber and has a higher-quality protein. Our aging pets do not exert the same amount of energy as they did when they were puppies, nor are they growing, and do not require high-calorie foods.”
At what age is a dog considered a “senior”? Different breeds age at different paces, so there’s no “magic number,” but the breakdown below provides general guidelines:
- Small breeds: 10-12 years old
- Medium breeds: 8-9 years old
- Large breeds and giant breeds: 6-7 years old
Many senior dog food formulas contain joint supplements. For this reason, Dr. Heather Frankfurt, DVM, a veterinarian at Hillside Veterinary Clinic in Dallas, Texas, advises having a conversation with your veterinarian about your dog’s changing dietary needs around age 7, and possibly even younger.
“I recommend all dogs over the age of 7 be on a joint supplement,” she says. “For larger breed dogs, I recommend them starting one at an even earlier age.”
What Is Senior Dog Food?
There’s no single senior dog food that’s best for all aging dogs. Instead, the best dog foods formulated for seniors typically contain a combination of the following features to promote wellness and address age-related conditions:
Fewer calories: Because older pets typically have lower activity levels and exert less energy, senior formulas usually contain fewer calories to help maintain a healthy weight, explains Dr. Frankfurt. In addition to dangerous health conditions such as heart disease and diabetes, excess weight can lead to arthritis in aging joints. “Obesity is something I take quite seriously, because of the toll it takes on our pets’ bodies,” she says. “Weight is a topic I discuss quite frequently.”
More fiber: Additional fiber helps promote gastrointestinal health and can be beneficial for pets with a sensitive stomach, while having the added benefit of helping pets feel fuller while consuming fewer calories.
More protein: Muscle mass tends to decrease with age, which is why many senior formulas contain increased amounts of animal protein. “Quality proteins help to maintain healthy muscle mass to keep mobility, and are important for elderly dogs,” says Dr. Herman.
Joint supplements: Senior formulas frequently contain supplements, including glucosamine and chondroitin, to support joint health.
Tastier flavors: Sometimes, it’s important to encourage a senior dog to consume more calories. Dogs undergoing treatment for medical conditions such as cancer may lose their appetite, so highly palatable formulas and meal-enhancing “toppers” can make mealtime more enticing.
Softer textures: Regular dental care can ensure that your dog maintains healthy, happy teeth as they age. However, for dogs who have had multiple tooth extractions or no longer have any teeth, wet formulas, which are softer than kibble, can make mealtimes more comfortable.
While the above-mentioned qualities make senior dog foods appropriate for many older pups, other dogs can continue to eat standard adult formulas, notes Dr. Herman. This differs from growing puppies, she adds, who must eat specially formulated puppy formulas to meet nutritional requirements.
How To Find the Best Senior Dog Food
If shopping for senior dog food feels overwhelming, you’re not alone—the ever-expanding pet market is flooded with options, and not all formulas are created equal. Consider the following when selecting a diet for your aging pooch:
Your Veterinarian’s Input
Before making any changes to your dog’s diet, have a conversation with your veterinarian about your individual dog’s needs and any age-related concerns you may have. Your vet should be able to recommend brands and formulas that suit your one-of-a-kind four-legged friend.
AAFCO Standards
The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) is a private, non-profit organization that sets the nutritional standards for pet food. These AAFCO “nutrient profiles” detail the amount of macronutrients, like proteins and fats, and micronutrients, like vitamins and minerals, dogs need at different life stages. When selecting a product, look on the packaging for a statement that says it meets AAFCO standards. “Anyone can create a food product for pets, market it, then sell it without the food being analyzed for nutritional balance,” cautions Dr. Herman. By feeding a dog food that meets AAFCO standards, “you know that the product your dog is consuming has the correct nutrient content for his or her health.”
Ingredient List
On pet food packaging, ingredients are listed in descending order by weight—meaning the first couple ingredients make up the majority of the formula. Your best bud deserves the best quality ingredients, so make sure the list starts off with the good stuff (such as chicken, salmon or beef) and not cheap fillers (including soy, gluten and wheat).
Guaranteed Analysis
Perhaps even more important than the ingredient list is the package’s “guaranteed analysis,” which breaks down the food’s nutrient content. Per AAFCO standards, adult dog food must contain a minimum of 18 percent crude protein and 5.5 percent crude fat on a “dry matter basis” (a mathematical calculation that compensates for the varying amounts of water that pet foods contain) to meet nutritional needs. Note that AAFCO does not provide guidelines specifically for senior pets and these percentages can vary significantly, so it’s important to have a conversation with your veterinarian about your dog’s individual needs.
Kibble Size
Kibble size is always important to consider, but especially with senior dogs, who may have had tooth extractions. When selecting a food, ensure that the kibble is the appropriate size for your dog to comfortably chew. This can vary greatly among dog breeds.
Canned Food vs. Kibble
Some dogs thrive on dry kibble, while for others the taste and texture of wet food are preferable. If your dog is a picky eater or experiencing health issues that can cause decreased appetite, a canned formula may be a better option.
Supplements
If joint health is a concern, consider a recipe that includes supplements such as chondroitin and glucosamine, as well as omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to improve mobility in dogs with arthritis.
Humane and Sustainable Ingredients
If you’re an animal lover, you might consider choosing a formula made from humanely raised meats and sustainably caught seafood. While the health benefits for your own furry friend may be marginal, responsible farming and fishing practices improve the lives of farm animals and wildlife.
Best Senior Dog Foods
If you’re considering a senior-specific food for your distinguished dog, you’ve come to the right place. We rounded up the best-selling and top-rated senior dog food brands and recipes among Chewy customers to help you find a quality product that fits your pet’s changing needs. These are the best senior dog foods of 2024, according to senior dog parents like you.
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1
Purina ONE SmartBlend Vibrant Maturity 7+ Formula Adult Premium Dry Dog Food, 31.1-lb... $50 on ChewyFREE 1-3 day shipping$50 on ChewyFREE 1-3 day shipping
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2
Purina Pro Plan Adult 7+ Shredded Blend Chicken & Rice Formula Dry Dog Food, 34-lb ba... $72 on ChewyFREE 1-3 day shipping$72 on ChewyFREE 1-3 day shipping
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3
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Senior Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food,... $65 on ChewyFREE 1-3 day shipping$65 on ChewyFREE 1-3 day shipping
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4
Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe Senior Chicken Dinner with Garden Vegetables Canned Dog... $35 on Chewy
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5
Hill's Science Diet Adult 7+ Chicken Meal, Rice & Barley Recipe Dry Dog Food, 33-lb b... $79 on ChewyFREE 1-3 day shipping$79 on ChewyFREE 1-3 day shipping
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Purina ONE SmartBlend is THE BEST
We have had two German Shepherds in the last 25 years. Our first lived to be one day shy of 12 years old and our current shepherd is thriving at 13! Purina ONE SmartBlend is all we’ve ever fed them and it shows!
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Thank you Chewy!
After adopting / rescuing my 2 dogs in 2019, it took some time to find a food that they enjoyed and would eat........then I tried the Purina ONE SmartBlend Vibrant Maturity 7+ formula, and they loved it! I was devistated when my previous provider for this dog food notified me that they were no longer able to get it! I did a search on Chewy and to my surprise, Chewy had it available! Now, both my dogs and I are happy!
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Great dog food
Started feeding this to our senior dog two years ago when our vet said she had developed some arthritis. Between her supplements, the dog food and the additional "add ins" we give her (sardines, eggs, sweet potato, etc.) she still has lots of puppy moments.
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Great for older pups
Our dog has long since loved the Purina Pro so moving her to the Adult +7 was a great transition.
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Picky Dogs Favorite
This is been the only food that my dog after 12 years gobbles down every time. He’s so picky, but he loves this food. I tried other brands and had to go back to this one.
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Excellent for my Senior Dogs and veterinarian approved!
I have two older dogs, one is 9 and one is 15 years old. I put them on the Pro Plan Adult 7+ sometime ago. They love the taste of this food and I did not have any problems when I switched their food. Always follow recommend procedures for switching food as they tell you how to on the bag. I trust Purina Products as the company is over 100 years old and have the research to back their products. My dogs are in good health and I attribute that to this food! This food was also recommended to me by my veterinarian. So if you have older dogs, do them a favor and give this food a try. You will be glad you did!
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Blue Buffalo
When visiting my sister, my dog (a standard poodle) declined his food and tore open the bag of Blue Buffalo chicken and brown rice she had in the lower level. So I had to buy some for him, as he clearly wanted it.
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Buffalo Blue has improved my dog's health.
I would highly recommend Buffalo Blue Formula for Seniors who have digestive issues. My dog's health has definitely improved and she seems more robust.
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Best ever!!
My dog is a very picky eater. I have gone through, and donated, a lot of bags of food because my dog won't even try other foods. Once I tried Blue Buffalo and she actually ate it. Now I buy her different flavors of the food as well as the Blue Buffalo treats. It's the healthiest food and she no longer has digestive issues.
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Good Product
Food has a mellow smell, and ingredients look good. I've bought many brands of dog food. This one seems to work sometimes. I have figured out my dogs just don't like canned food. it's a good one if your dog does.
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Yummy
Before we purchased our little guy started walking away from the diet stew dish we were putting down for him. Since we changed to Blue Buffalo senior chicken dinner, he waits with his tail wagging for me set his dish down. we'll be purchasing another case for sure.
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Blue Buffalo
This was my first order over the internet as I no longer drive. Thank you so much for the terrific discount. I will be ordering refills after I relocate at end of month. My little bichon loves it.
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Our Doggos’ Favorite!
Our 9 & 10 yr old Corgis have been eating this brand/formula for years. We trust Hill’s and Chewy delivers, FAST!
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Chewy is the Best
I have been using Chewy for around 20 years and have NEVER had a negative issue with them. They provide top grade products, prices and service. And, their delivery is almost too fast at times.
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Our senior dog loves it!
Ruby, our hound mix, is 8 1/2 yrs. old. She had been on the same high protein dog food for a few years. Because of her age, we thought it might be more beneficial for her to have a food intended for senior pups that would help with her joints, etc. She had no issues switching over (we mixed in a little with her old food and increased the amount over a week's time). She hasn't been eating it long enough for us to notice a difference, but she does love it! That being said, there really isn't much she won't eat. She is a hound dog after all!!
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Chewy.com is Great Supplier of Food for Our Dogs
The Iams for senior dogs is a very good and reasonably-priced option for multiple dogs. For some reason, other suppliers chose not to offer this product. But Chewy.com is also very reliable, and they make it easy to adjust ship dates.
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Great senior food.
Switched my dog to this food after my vet recommened it because she is almost 13 years old and was having some stomach issues. This corrected the problem.
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Great Service!!!
I really like the auto shipping. I now don't have to worry about going to the store and not knowing if it will be in stock. It is easy to change the auto ship date. If I have question I can call customer service and a real person answers the phone.
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This is the one for my seniors
I have 2 yorkies that I recently changed to Orijen senior. Had a hard time finding something as one of my dogs is allergic to grain. I am totally satisfied I had not heard of this before now. I went to vet for shots they said this is the top, top line that I could choose for them.
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Not for us
My senior pittie LOVES this food! I hoped this brand would work for us because he really gets excited for it but, it's not working out. Unfortunately, it upsets his stomach. I've tried multiple variations of adding rice and pumpkin but after a month of trying it's time to continue the search for something his sensitive belly can handle. I just hope we can find a brand he loves as much as Orijen.
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Excellent Food
Food ingredients are extremely clean and all 3 of my dogs love it with no diestive problems, etc. Highly recommend, especially for senior pets.
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Healthy
My 12 year old likes this food. The kibble is not too big or too small. My senior had sporadic diarrhea on another dry kibble. The Nulo actually stopped that.
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Amber’s favorite
I love Nulo Senior for Amber. It makes our lives easier since the quality kibble maintains her weight, energy and digestion. There are so many food options, I’m happy we found a winner.
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Marlow Approved!
My senior newf loves this food! She has been quite picky about kibble in the past and has been on the same food for a while because of it. However, her old food switched formulas and her tummy didn't like the change so I had to change her food. I opted for this one, out of recommendation from other Newfie owners. Marlow loves it! Her coat looks better and her stool is back to normal. Seems to be a good fit for my girl.
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Healthy and yummy
My nine-year old St. Bernard/herding mix absolutely loves this food. He was protesting the previous senior dog healthy weight food we had him on. When that got recalled, we decided to try this. He’s absolutely loving meal times again and maintaining a healthy weight and joints! Only downside is the cost.
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Canidae Dog Food
My dog is highly allergic to many foods. This dog food seems to agree with her and she enjoys it.
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Our GSD really likes this dog food
We bought three small bags of dog food to see what our GSD prefers as we transition her to a Senior diet. She clearly prefers this dog food. She is not a finicky eater but certainly shows preferences. Not only does she like it but it agrees with her and she is doing very well with it.
Senior Dog Food FAQs
Q: At what age is a dog considered a senior?
A: Dogs age at different rates depending on their size and breed, so there’s no “magic number” to denote the beginning of the senior years. However, senior dog foods are typically formulated for canines 7+ years old. If your dog is a large or giant breed, you may want to consider diet-related changes sooner; conversely, smaller dogs may wait longer. Your veterinarian can help you determine when your one-of-a-kind pup is approaching their golden years.
Q: How do you transition dog food?
A: When changing foods, it’s important to slowly introduce the new formula to avoid gastrointestinal problems. Slow and steady is the name of the game: Begin by mixing a bit of the new food into your pet’s current food, for a ratio of 25 percent new food to 75 percent current food. After two to three days, if your pet isn’t experiencing any adverse effects, increase the ratio to 50/50. Increase the ratio to 75/25 after another two to three days, and then finally fully transition to the new formula. For step-by-step tips and troubleshooting, consult our veterinarian-written guide to switching foods.
Q: How often should I feed my senior dog?
A: Feeding schedules vary from pet to pet. However, for most dogs, twice a day is optimal, says Dr. Frankfurt. Leaving a full bowl of food for all-day grazing is almost never a good idea, she adds. “That is a surefire way to end up with an overweight animal,” she advises. If your pet seems to overeat because they simply eat the food too fast, she recommends purchasing a slow-feeder bowl that has obstructions built into.
Q: What food is good for senior dogs with digestive problems?
A: If your dog is experiencing digestive problems, first consult your veterinarian to determine the underlying cause. As the digestive tract ages, many seniors experience issues such as constipation and diarrhea, which may be alleviated with a high-fiber dog food.
The Bottom Line
Caring for a senior dog requires a little extra effort, but is rewarded with a lot of extra love. Thanks to advances in nutrition and veterinary care—as well as good old-fashioned TLC!—our four-legged friends can enjoy happier, healthier golden years by our side. Ready to make the most of your days together? Check out these 12 expert tips for helping your senior dog live their best doggone life!
Expert input provided by Dr. Jessica Herman, DVM, a small-animal veterinarian based in Shelbyville, Kentucky, and Dr. Heather Frankfurt, DVM, a veterinarian at Hillside Veterinary Clinic in Dallas, Texas.
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