What is the Best Senior Dog Food for Your Dog?

We love our dogs. We want to be able to give them the best life we can even when they grow old. When you look in your aging dog’s eyes, you might wonder, What is the best healthy dog food for older dogs, so my buddy can live a long and happy life? How can I determine this for them? The good news is, there are plenty of great options that will keep your aging dog feeling young and healthy. 

Senior Dog Nutrition

While there is not a universal senior nutrient profile for all senior dogs, the first step in figuring out the best food for your senior dog is understanding their unique and individual nutritional needs. Knowing which dog foods are the best at each phase of their life is another important step, since every life stage has different dietary needs and nutritional profiles. A nutrition profile is made of specific combinations for proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals. Puppies need higher levels of protein, fat, nutrients, and calories to help them grow and develop. However, when dogs reach adulthood, the focus shifts to ensuring that they are maintaining a healthy weight and continuing to consume a complete and balanced diet.

 As dogs age, it’s important to take into consideration the decrease in their metabolism and energy levels. This usually starts to occur around the age of seven, which is when you might want to start thinking of switching them to a senior dog food. Keeping an eye on your dog’s daily calorie intake while they grow older can reduce the risk of obesity, osteoarthritis, kidney disease, and cancer. Purina experts believe that the key to feeding a senior dog and maintaining their health includes the following:

• Portion an appropriate daily calorie intake to help them maintain an ideal body weight. 
• Ensure they are being properly hydrated throughout the day. 
• Provide a complete and balanced diet that has appropriate levels of fat, protein, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients for older dogs. 
• Ensure that your dog has a stimulating environment (both physically and mentally) where they can be active and get some exercise if they are able to. 
• You can also introduce foraging devices, such as meal-dispensing feeders, food-filled toys, etc.  
• Talk to your vet about which foods and portion sizes will be the most appropriate for your aging dog. 
• Also, talk to your vet if you notice any weight gain or weight loss. 

We love our adorable balls of fur, so the better we take care of them the happier they will be. 

How to Choose a Senior Dog Food

There are some things that are good to look out for when it comes to choosing a senior dog food that is right for your buddy:

• Highly digestible food. It’s important to ensure that the food is easy to digest, so they can get the proper nutrient absorption. 
• Proper protein amount. Elderly dogs usually need more protein than their younger counterparts. Thankfully, there are many high-protein senior dog food options on the market these days.  
• Enhanced antioxidant levels. Antioxidants can benefit senior dogs and provide extra support to their immune systems giving them an additional boost of health.  
• Good moisture content. Many older dogs need a good moisture content for increased hydration. They also start to get more dental problems as they age, so feeding soft dog foods makes it easier for them to eat. Senior wet dog foods are a great option as they are usually easier for senior dogs to manage and will have the necessary nutrients for an elderly dog.   
• Sufficient calories and slightly decreased fat. Slightly decreased fat will help your senior dog decrease the calorie density of their diet. Depending on their overall weight, some dogs will need a higher daily caloric intake, and some dogs will need a lower daily caloric intake. Your vet will be able to tell you the ideal weight to keep your older dog. They can also help you find the best food and feeding schedule for them. 

The nutritional needs of senior dogs can change rapidly, so pet owners should seek veterinary care if they notice an issue and should be taking their dog for regular wellness checkups. If older dogs have any underlying medical condition, they may require specially formulated dog food prescribed by their veterinarian. Work with your vet to see which senior dog food option would be best for your buddy.

How to Feed Senior Dogs

It’s important to be mindful when you choose to transition your buddy to senior dog food. If you change their food too quickly, this can cause GI upset. Instead, a slow and gradual transition over 5-7 days will be better for your elderly pooch and their tummy. Start by mixing 1/4 of the new food with 3/4 of your dog’s current diet and then gradually increase the ratios as your buddy adjusts. Some dogs might need a few extra days to adjust as they are getting used to their new food. Talk to your vet about any concerns you might have and ask them for advice on the best way to switch your dog to new senior dog food.

Senior Dog Hydration

As dogs get older, they might forget to drink water, which could lead to dehydration. Chronic dehydration can interfere with organ function and other essential physiological needs that help to keep the body running smoothly and in top health. Therefore, it’s important to ensure that your senior dog is staying properly hydrated.

Make sure your buddy has access to fresh, clean water and that you are monitoring the water levels in case there is a large reduction or increase in water intake. Also, check to see if you are using a clean water bowl that is appealing to your dog. For example, some dogs might prefer ice in their water. Some might be happy with just regular water in a dish that they can drink from. Pay attention to your dog and see which option works best for them. 

Wet foods tend to have more moisture content and can help get extra water into your senior dog. You can also mix a little water in their food if they are not getting enough hydration.

For more expert tips on caring for your senior dog, explore our other feeding senior dog articles.