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Best Dog Food for Older Dogs

Senior dog sitting next to a bowl of healthy dog food in a cozy home environment.

As dogs age, their nutritional needs change, requiring a diet that supports their aging bodies and minds. The right food can help manage age-related conditions such as decreased mobility, muscle loss, and cognitive decline. This article explores the best dog foods for older dogs, each designed to meet the unique needs of senior pets.

Key Takeaways

  • Senior dog foods are tailored to meet the specific nutritional needs of aging dogs, often containing fewer calories and beneficial ingredients like antioxidants, glucosamine, and omega fatty acids.
  • Nom Nom Turkey Fare is an excellent choice for wet dog food, offering high-quality ingredients and ease of consumption for older dogs.
  • Wellness Complete Health Age Advantage Recipe Adult 7+ and Wellness Age Advantage Recipe Adult 7+ both contain beneficial ingredients like omega fatty acids, glucosamine, and chondroitin to support joint health and overall wellness.
  • Purina Pro Plan Bright Mind Adult 7+ Chicken and Rice Formula is recommended for its inclusion of omega fatty acids and glucosamine, which support cognitive function and joint health.
  • Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Senior Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe and Hill's Science Diet Adult 7+ Chicken Meal, Barley & Brown Rice Recipe are both highly recommended for their balanced nutrition and high-quality ingredients.

1. Nom Nom Turkey Fare

If you're looking for a fresh, human-grade meal for your older dog, Nom Nom Turkey Fare is a fantastic option. This recipe is packed with high-quality ingredients like turkey, brown rice, eggs, carrots, and spinach. Your dog will love the taste and you'll love the health benefits.

Main Ingredients

  • Turkey
  • Brown rice
  • Eggs
  • Carrots
  • Spinach

Nutritional Information

  • Estimated calories: 168 kcal per cup
  • Crude protein (min): 10%
  • Crude fat (min): 5%
  • Crude fiber (max.): 1%

Packaging and Price

  • Sizes are customized for each pet
  • Price varies by each custom order but estimates are available
This meal is as close to homemade as you can get. Not cheap, but highly recommended.

Customer Reviews

"Mya has suffered from colitis & IBS for many years, and she's also the pickiest with food. Since being on Nom Nom she is eating much better & has perfect poop!!!"

Flavors

  • Beef Mash
  • Chicken Cuisine
  • Pork Potluck
  • Turkey Fare

2. Wellness Complete Health Age Advantage Recipe Adult 7+

If your dog finds wet food easier to eat or your vet recommends it, consider Wellness Complete Health Age Advantage Recipe Adult 7+. This food contains protein sources of chicken broth, chicken, and whitefish. Carbohydrate sources include barley, bran, and sweet potatoes. Vitamin C, zinc, and cobalt round out the ingredients list. A 12.5-ounce can contains 36% protein, 18% fat, 4% fiber, and 379 kcal, or about 30 calories per ounce.

Key Ingredients

  • Chicken broth
  • Chicken
  • Whitefish
  • Barley
  • Bran
  • Sweet potatoes
  • Vitamin C
  • Zinc
  • Cobalt

Nutritional Information

  • 36% protein
  • 18% fat
  • 4% fiber
  • 379 kcal per 12.5-ounce can

Why Your Dog Will Love It

Your dog will love the delicious taste of chicken and whitefish, and you'll love knowing they're getting the nutrients they need to stay healthy and active. Plus, it's 100% grain-free, making it a great option for dogs with sensitivities.

Pro Tip: Always consult with your vet before making any changes to your dog's diet, especially if they have specific health concerns.

3. Purina Pro Plan Bright Mind Adult 7+ Chicken and Rice Formula

Purina Pro Plan Bright Mind Adult 7+ Chicken and Rice Formula is a fantastic choice for your senior dog. This food features chicken and poultry byproduct meals as the main protein sources, ensuring your furry friend gets the nutrition they need. It also includes rice, corn, wheat, barley, omega fatty acids, and glucosamine. With 29% protein, 14% fat, 3% fiber, and 423 kcal per cup, it's perfect for active, normal-weight dogs.

Key Ingredients

  • Chicken and poultry byproduct meals
  • Rice, corn, wheat, and barley
  • Omega fatty acids and glucosamine

Nutritional Information

This formula boasts 29% protein, 14% fat, and 3% fiber, providing a balanced diet for your senior dog. Each cup contains 423 kcal, making it ideal for maintaining energy levels.

Benefits

  • Supports cognitive health with enhanced botanical oils
  • Promotes joint health with glucosamine
  • Provides a balanced diet with high-quality ingredients
Bold: This food is backed by feeding trials, ensuring it's both safe and palatable for your dog.It’s a great value dog food and highly recommended for older dogs.

4. Wellness Age Advantage Recipe Adult 7+

When it comes to keeping your senior dog in tip-top shape, Wellness Age Advantage Recipe Adult 7+ is a fantastic choice. This food is packed with high-quality protein sources like chicken broth, chicken, and whitefish. Not only does it provide the necessary protein, but it also includes healthy carbohydrates such as barley, bran, and sweet potatoes.

Key Ingredients

  • Chicken broth
  • Chicken
  • Whitefish
  • Barley
  • Bran
  • Sweet potatoes

Nutritional Benefits

This recipe is designed to support your dog's overall health with essential vitamins and minerals. It includes Vitamin C, zinc, and cobalt, which are crucial for maintaining a healthy immune system and optimal nutrient balance.

Caloric Content

Each 12.5-ounce can contains 36% protein, 18% fat, 4% fiber, and 379 kcal, or about 30 calories per ounce. This makes it an excellent option for weight control and maintaining muscle mass in older dogs.

If your dog finds wet food easier to eat or your vet recommends it, consider this option. It's full of healthy ingredients, like blueberries and cranberries for antioxidants and healthy carbohydrates like barley and sweet potatoes.

Why Choose Wellness Age Advantage?

  • Optimal calories for weight control
  • Premium recipe for older dogs
  • Highly recommended for its balanced nutrient profile

5. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Senior Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe

If you're looking for a reliable dog food for your aging furry friend, Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Senior Chicken & Brown Rice Recipe is a solid choice. This recipe features deboned chicken, chicken meal, and chicken fat as its primary protein sources. The top carbohydrate sources include brown rice, barley, oatmeal, peas, and potatoes. Healthy additions like probiotics, L-lysine, glucosamine, chondroitin, and omega fatty acids from fish oil make this a well-rounded option.

Key Benefits

  • Glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health and mobility
  • Smaller sized kibble pieces

Nutritional Information

  • 18% protein
  • 10% fat
  • 7% fiber
  • 357 kcals per cup

What We Don't Like

  • Only one flavor
This formula is designed to help keep your dog's energy levels up, their joints pain-free, and their minds sharp as they age. It's especially beneficial for dogs with joint issues, cognitive function concerns, and skin health.

6. Hill's Science Diet Adult 7+ Chicken Meal, Barley & Brown Rice Recipe

Hill's Science Diet Adult 7+ Chicken Meal, Barley & Brown Rice Recipe is a top choice for your senior dog. This recipe features chicken meal as the main protein source, ensuring your dog gets the necessary nutrients for joint health and muscle maintenance. The primary carbohydrates include pearled barley, whole grain wheat, and whole grain corn, which provide a balanced diet for your furry friend.

Key Ingredients

  • Chicken meal: Main protein source
  • Pearled barley
  • Whole grain wheat
  • Whole grain corn
  • Apples, broccoli, and carrots for added nutrition

Nutritional Information

This food contains 19% protein, 13.7% fat, 2.4% fiber, and 353 kcal per cup. It's designed to meet the nutritional needs of older dogs, making it one of the best dog food options for your aging pet.

Why Choose Hill's Science Diet?

Hill's Science Diet is highly recommended by veterinarians and meets or exceeds the nutrient profiles and manufacturing guidelines of the AAFCO and the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA). Plus, dogs seem to enjoy it, which is always a bonus!

If you're wondering what to feed a sick dog with no appetite, Hill's Science Diet offers nutritious recipes that can help monitor food intake and ensure your dog gets the necessary nutrients.

7. Nutro Ultra Senior Dry Dog Food

Overview

Nutro Ultra Senior Dry Dog Food is a fantastic choice for your aging furry friend. This senior dog food’s main protein source is deboned lamb, which is perfect for maintaining muscle mass in older dogs. Standout carbohydrates consist of rice bran, whole grain barley, and whole grain brown rice. Healthy extras like omega fatty acids from fish oil and glucosamine and chondroitin from chicken meal round out the list.

Key Benefits

  • High-Quality Protein: The main protein source is deboned lamb, which helps maintain muscle mass.
  • Healthy Carbohydrates: Includes rice bran, whole grain barley, and whole grain brown rice.
  • Omega Fatty Acids: Sourced from fish oil, these are great for skin and coat health.
  • Joint Health: Glucosamine and chondroitin from chicken meal support joint health.

Customer Reviews

"I have 3, 60+ lbs sr dogs. 11, 13, 14 & this is the best dog food. They are active & spunky. This food keeps their weight in check & is great for digestion."

Why Choose Nutro Ultra?

If you're looking for the best dog food for older dogs, Nutro Ultra Senior Dry Dog Food is a top contender. It keeps your senior dog active and spunky, while also supporting their digestion and weight management.

8. Orijen Senior Dog Food

Looking for a grain-free formula that’s dominated with animal protein? Then, this dog food deserves serious attention. Orijen Senior takes the greatest share of its meat protein from fresh chicken, turkey, and fish. Our dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 43% protein, 17% fat, and 32% estimated carbs… with a fat-to-protein ratio of about 39%.

From its beginnings, Champion Petfoods, the legendary maker of Orijen, has always advocated for a meat-based, “biologically appropriate” diet… a proven design which makes this food a top choice for seniors. Highly recommended.

Main Ingredients

  • Chicken
  • Turkey
  • Flounder
  • Whole mackerel
  • Turkey giblets (liver, heart, gizzard)

Texture

Dry

Type

Grain-free

Protein Percentage

43%

This dog food comes in a vacuum-sealed bag. Once opened, the food gives off a very prominent smell of fish. It's very expensive but well worth the cost.

9. Merrick Grain-Free Senior Dry Dog Food

If you're looking for a top-notch option for your senior dog, Merrick Grain-Free Senior Dry Dog Food is a fantastic choice. This food counts chicken, chicken meal, and turkey meal as its main protein sources. Carbohydrates include brown rice, oatmeal, barley, quinoa, apples, and carrots. Omega fatty acids from salmon oil, glucosamine, and chondroitin are healthy extras. We recommend it for moderately active normal-weight dogs. It contains 27% protein, 15% fat, 3.5% fiber, and 381 kcal per cup.

10. Iams ProActive Health Mature Adult Dry Dog Food

Overview

If you're looking for a budget-friendly option that doesn't skimp on quality, Iams ProActive Health Mature Adult Dry Dog Food is a fantastic choice. This grain-inclusive formula is designed specifically for older dogs and is part of the well-regarded Iams ProActive Health product line.

Key Ingredients

The primary source of meat protein in this recipe is fresh chicken. The formula boasts 27% protein, 12% fat, and 54% estimated carbs, with a fat-to-protein ratio of about 44%. This makes it a balanced option for your senior dog's dietary needs.

Nutritional Benefits

  • Protein: Essential for maintaining muscle mass and overall health.
  • Fiber and Prebiotics: Aid in digestion and promote gut health.
  • Antioxidants: Help support the immune system.
  • Glucosamine and Chondroitin: Support joint health.

What We Love

  • Affordable: Great quality at a budget-friendly price.
  • Human-Grade Ingredients: Includes farm-raised chicken, carrots, egg, and marine microalgae.
  • Prebiotic Fiber: Promotes gut health.

What We Don't Like

  • Only comes in one flavor.
  • No small breed formula.
For those who value a simple, grain-inclusive formula that contains no plant-based protein boosters, Iams ProActive Health Mature Adult makes an excellent choice for older dogs.

Final Thoughts

Iams ProActive Health Mature Adult Dry Dog Food is a time-proven, grain-inclusive brand offering several different senior recipes. Each includes L-carnitine to help burn fat and keep metabolism going, making it a solid choice for your aging furry friend.

Conclusion

As your furry friend enters their golden years, choosing the right dog food becomes more important than ever. Whether it's a high-protein kibble or a wet food packed with antioxidants, the best senior dog food can help manage age-related conditions and keep your dog feeling spry. Remember, always consult your vet to tailor the diet to your dog's specific needs. With a little research and some taste-testing, you'll find the perfect meal to keep those tails wagging and those muzzles grey but happy!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best dog food for older dogs?

The best dog food for older dogs is one that meets their specific nutritional needs, such as lower calories, higher protein, and beneficial ingredients like antioxidants, glucosamine, and omega fatty acids.

Should older dogs eat senior dog food?

Yes, senior dog food is tailored to the lifestyle and nutritional needs of older dogs, generally containing fewer calories and incorporating beneficial ingredients to support aging dogs.

Can older dogs eat adult dog food?

For some dogs, adult food or all life stages food may be appropriate based on their physical exam, lab work, breed, and activity levels. Consult your veterinarian for the best advice.

What ingredients should I look for in senior dog food?

Look for senior dog foods that include antioxidants, glucosamine, chondroitin, and omega fatty acids. These ingredients support joint health, counteract aging effects, and reduce inflammation.

Is wet or dry food better for older dogs?

Both wet and dry foods can be good for older dogs. Wet food may be easier to eat for some dogs and can be recommended by vets. Choose based on your dog's preferences and health needs.

How do I know if my dog needs senior dog food?

Signs of aging such as decreased mobility, muscle loss, and cognitive decline may indicate that your dog could benefit from senior dog food. Consult your vet for personalized advice.

What are some top brands for senior dog food?

Some top brands for senior dog food include Nom Nom, Wellness, Purina Pro Plan, Blue Buffalo, Hill's Science Diet, Nutro, Orijen, Merrick, and Iams.

Can senior dog food help with joint health?

Yes, many senior dog foods contain glucosamine and chondroitin, which support joint health and can help with mobility issues in older dogs.

*Food for Bark strives to deliver accurate and current pet care information. However, we are not veterinarians. Our content is for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not replace professional veterinarians' advice. Always consult your veterinarian for any concerns about your pet's health. Use of our site indicates your agreement to this disclaimer and absolves us of responsibility for any outcomes from applying the information provided.
Hilda Wong

Hello! I'm a lifelong dog enthusiast, with a passion that's been part of me since childhood. Growing up, my home was always filled with the joyful presence of dogs. This wasn't just a coincidence; my family holds a deep-seated belief that dogs are more than pets—they are guardians that protect us from misfortune. This belief has profoundly shaped my life. We've always held the view that it's essential to have a dog in the household. In our tradition, if we sadly lose one, we honor their memory by welcoming a new furry friend into our lives. This cycle of care and companionship has been a cornerstone of my upbringing. For me, taking care of dogs is not just a responsibility; it's a way to show gratitude for the joy and protection they bring into our lives. Each dog I've had the privilege of caring for has taught me invaluable lessons about loyalty, joy, and unconditional love. I strive to give them the best life possible, just as they enrich mine every single day.

Hilda Wong