TOP 10 Best Senior Dog Foods Compared and Reviewed
1 place :
Best Overall: Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food
Hill’s is found in the line of the best senior dog food brands. Science Diet dry food for canines who are 11+ years old was developed taking into account all the nutritional needs of senior pooches. It effectively fights with aging signs and helps to prolong the life of your lovely pet. This diet contains Omega 3 fatty acids from fish and supports joints and overall mobility of four-legged friends. A unique and specially-developed blend of useful antioxidants takes care of the immune system. Among the ingredients, there is natural chicken meat, rice, and whole grain wheat. Size of kibbles is small enough, so your aging animal will easily chew them.
pros +
Made with all-natural ingredients
A special diet for aged canines of small breeds
Rich in useful vitamins
Delicious taste
The small size of kibbles
2 place :
Rich in Protein: Nutro Ultra Senior Dry Dog Food
If you want to keep your senior dog healthy, feed him with Nutro Ultra. It is rich in protein from chicken, lamb, and salmon. Chicken is a primary ingredient. In addition, this diet contains 15 superfoods essential for a healthy body. Review of vitamins and necessary vitamins shows that they are good enough and help to keep your aged animal active and healthy as long as possible. Its taste is delicious and free from artificial additives and flavors.
pros +
ich in protein
Contains a plate of useful superfoods
Free from artificial flavors
The large package size
3 place :
For Multi-Dog Families: Canidae All Life Stages Dry Dog Food
Canidae helps to make meals of your senior pets nutritious and tasty. Its unique formula is perfect for feeding canines of various breeds, who are less active. So, if you have various pooches at home, there is no need to buy separate diets for each of them. The current recipe is rich in chicken, turkey, lamb and fish protein. At the same time, it contains fewer calories than similar products by other brands. It helps to develop more energy in pets and postpones the process of getting older. So, it doesn’t matter how old your pooch is; this feed will be an excellent choice for him.
pros +
Multi-dog nutrition
Rich in fatty acids
Contains all-natural ingredients
Limited in calories
4 place :
Good Choice of Ingredients: Blue Buffalo Natural Senior Dry Dog Food
With Blue Buffalo diet for senior dogs, you can be sure that your four-legged friend is getting enough protein. It is made with the ingredients of the highest quality and contributes to the healthy well-being of the aging pal. Current formula contains chicken as the main source of protein and brown rice. Presence of L-carnitine, taurine and Omega 3, 6 fatty acids help to support healthy skin, coat and add more energy in animals. Low content of fat won’t cause obesity. So, if you are looking for best rated senior dog food, this one deserves your attention.
pros +
Premium-quality ingredients
Helps to support the overall health of animals
The high content of protein
Free from preservatives and harmful additives
cons -
Not good for pets with allergies
5 place :
Good Price: Diamond Naturals Senior Real Meat Recipe Natural Dry Dog Food with Real Cage Free Chicken
Diamond Naturals developed a unique formula of the meal, especially for senior pets. This diet would be an excellent fit for active pooches and for those who have sensitive tummies. Thanks to the presence of useful probiotics and supplements, this feed is easily-digestible and doesn’t cause allergic reactions. Chicken meat is the primary ingredient and main protein source. This nutrition can be used in periods of rehabilitation. In addition, it is rich in supplements, which help to take care of the overall health of your aging pooch.
pros +
Perfect support of digestive system
Budget-friendly
The large package size
Full of vital supplements
cons -
Some canines do not like the flavor
6 place :
High-Quality Wet Meal: BLUE Homestyle Recipe Wet Dog Food
BLUE Homestyle Recipe is the only and best wet dog food for senior dogs in our review. It was specially developed to meet all the requirements of senior animals and contains only natural ingredients. If your pooch drinks less water than needed, this diet is salvation for you. Deboned chicken is the first ingredient and the main source of protein. In addition, it comes with whole grains which contain necessary carbohydrates to meet your pet’s needs. Presence of chondroitin and glucosamine helps to prevent problems with bones and joints. So, if you are looking for wet nutrition for your adult canine, this one should be number one to consider.
pros +
Real chicken is the number one ingredient
Contains useful carbohydrates
The high content of minerals and vitamins
Supports healthy bones and joints
7 place :
Immune System Support: IAMS Proactive Health Dry Dog Food
If your large-breed pet is at least 9-year-old, consider to switch him to IAMS proactive dry dog food. IAMS takes care of canines of different breeds and absolutely meets their needs. This nutrition was specially developed to satisfy the demands of senior canines in protein, minerals, and vitamins. It is made of the highest quality components and seems very delicious. The high content of useful antioxidants helps to keep the immune system healthy. And, finally, it is absolutely free from artificial additives. With this best senior dog food, large breed pets become more active. You shouldn’t be so surprised if your aged pet becomes more energetic than before.
pros +
Good choice for 9-year-old dogs of large breeds
Chicken is a primary ingredient
Rich in useful vitamins and minerals
Supports the healthy lifestyle of aged canines
cons -
May cause problems with stomach
8 place :
Tasty and Nutritious: Wellness Complete Health Natural Dry Senior Dog Food
Wellness Complete Health is another best dry dog food for senior dogs which helps to improve their health. It appears really tasty, so the pooches do not refuse eating it and don't ask to change diets. In addition, it will be the best fit for the pets tending to over-eating and suffering from obesity. This nutrition contains fewer calories. Deboned chicken is the first ingredient, so it will be an excellent choice for pets, who have allergies to other meat types. Glucosamine and chondroitin included in the list of components take care of healthy joints and the pet’s activity as a whole. Flaxseed is rich in Omega 3 fatty acids, so the coat of your pooch will be always shiny.
pros +
Well-balanced list of ingredients
Perfect for pets with allergies
Helps to maintain a healthy weight
Tastes delicious
cons -
May cause problems with stomach
9 place :
Grain-Free Recipe: Nature’s Variety Instinct Raw Boost Natural Dry Dog Food
When it is necessary to choose the best senior dog food, it is impossible to pass by Nature’s Variety Instinct Raw Boost Grain-Free Senior Recipe. It is formulated with real chicken as the main source of protein. Presence of special raw freeze-dried pieces helps to make it more attractive for canines. Taurine and L-carnitine included in the list of ingredients help to maintain pets full of energy. Fatty acids from salmon take care of skin and coat. Even pets that suffer from poor digestion will forget about this problem. Finally, this diet is free from by-products and artificial flavors, so it is absolutely safe for life.
pros +
Rich in probiotics
Grain-free formula
Can be used to feed puppies
Unique raw coated kibbles
10 place :
For Active Lifestyle: AvoDerm Natural Health Solutions
AvoDerm dry food is formulated with plenty of nutrients necessary for a healthy and long life of your senior canines. Presence of avocado among the ingredients contributes to shiny skin and coat. The high content of vitamins and minerals from all-natural products helps to support the immune function and takes care of bones and joints. Lamb meal is the number one ingredient. In addition, this well-balanced diet is rich in protein. It guarantees that your pet is getting optimal nutrition required for his age.
pros +
Grain-free diet
The high content of all-natural protein
Free of artificial fillers
Perfect for sensitive stomachs
cons -
The large size of kibbles
Types of Food for Senior Dogs
Today it is possible to distinguish two main types of the best dog food for senior dogs. They are dry and wet. Both types are ready-made and have their pros and cons. Let’s see what they are in more details.
Dry Food
According to senior dog food reviews, most of the pet owners prefer feeding their canines with dry diets. The majority of high-quality feeds contain all necessary ingredients which help to improve the quality of life of your canine. There are even brands, which develop specific formulas for particular pet’s age. That’s why vets recommend preferring dry diets to natural feeding. In the last case, you won’t be able to enrich meals with all the necessary nutrients and supplements.
Also, dry food has a long shelf life and is convenient to take with you into trips, when you have no chances to cook.
Make sure that if you choose a dry feeding, you should make sure that your pet drinks enough water.
Wet Food
The best canned dog food for senior dogs is usually more expensive than dry diets. It is recommended for canines, who do not drink enough water. These feeds contain enough moisture and are also rich in useful vitamins, minerals, and supplements, which correspond to a healthy lifestyle of older animals.
The only drawback of such canned products is that they should be always stored in a fridge to keep all their nutritional values safe.
It is better if the diet for dogs older than 7 years contains fewer carbohydrates but at the same time possesses 60% of meat. This is necessary to prevent obesity and maintain muscle mass in the desired state. Therefore, when choosing the diet, carefully read the composition on a package.
Dog Food for Older Dogs Buying Guide – What to Look At?
There is a huge number of dog foods, and it is difficult to figure out which one is right for your senior pet. However, there are certain criteria, helping to choose the most suitable meal.
Pet’s Health
If your pooch has kidney failure, it is recommended to follow a low-protein diet that will reduce the workload on them. Reduced fat leads to a decrease in calorie intake, so most diets for senior dogs contain no more than 10-15% of fat. Based on senior dog food reviews, older dogs are prone to constipation, so the food for them contains an extended amount of plant fiber.
Many aging dogs suffer from obesity or eat food without appetite. If it completely refuses to eat, take the animal to the vet. If health problems are not identified, try to get your pooch interested in food, offer it a variety of products. To avoid obesity, reduce the calorie intake and eliminate sweets, biscuits, crackers from the diet.
In aging pets, there is a special need for vitamins and minerals. Thus, a sufficiently large number of elderly dogs, especially representatives of large breeds suffer from arthritis, therefore, choose feeds containing glucosamine and chondroitin.
Pet’s Age
When choosing the best natural dog food for senior dogs, it is worth paying attention to the pet’s age since their digestibility is completely different. If your pet is 7+ years old, don’t feed him with diets for puppies because this may cause serious health issues.
Pet’s Size
In addition, dog owners should pick food based on the size of their animals. For medium-sized dogs, this criterion does not apply. This is necessary as for a large dog is suitable food with large kibbles, and for miniature dogs, it will be difficult to chew.
Lifestyle
The lifestyle of canines influences the number of essential vitamins and minerals in food. For example, if a dog leads an active lifestyle, then you should choose food diets for energetic and active animals.
Feed Quality
And the last criterion applies to the price of food. There are the economy, premium, super-premium, and holistic feeds. Of course, they have quite visible price differences, but it is worth remembering that price depends not so much on brand but on the quantity and quality of ingredients.
Diet for Older Dogs. 5 Essential Tips
As your canine gets older, there are things that change inevitably. Of course, he will continue being your friend and lovely family member, but changes in health are impossible to avoid. So, the major thing to be aware of is the right nutrition of your aging pet. 5 essential tips below will help you to choose the best diet for older dogs.
Address Problems with Teeth
If you noticed that it is hard for your pet to eat, it might have dental issues. In some cases, dental problems and teeth pain are so strong that animals refuse from their favorite food. That’s why it is very important to switch your pet to soft kibbles or canned food. Also, it is necessary to consult a vet and try to treat the disease.
Add Supplements to Support Joints
In the majority of cases senior pets have troubles with joints, they become less active and finally get arthritis. That’s why most of the special diets for old animals tend to support healthy joints. If you have a pet of a large breed, special joint supplements are required at the age of 5-6 years. You can review what they are and buy them separately if they are not included in feeding.
Don’t Forget about Antioxidants
Antioxidants are useful for aging animals as they help to fight various diseases. Vegetables and fruits are rich in antioxidants, that’s why they can be included in the dog’s ration. If your pet suffers from allergies, don’t forget to consult a vet and get a prescription.
Add Fatty Acids
Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids are useful for the immune system and can also reduce the inflammation. So, try to add fish into the diet of your pooch. High level of these components contributes to healthy heart and brains. In addition, you can feed your animal with these acids in the form of capsules if chosen best dog food for senior dogs doesn’t contain enough of them.
Count Calories
Senior canines are prone to obesity; this has a poor influence on joints and overall well-being. Just after you noticed that your pooch is gaining weight, switch him to a low-calorie formula. By the way, the majority of special diets for aged canines are formulated with fewer calories.
Our Final Advice for 2019
Older dogs exhibit a variety of physiological changes in their bodies. In order to keep them healthy and energetic as long as possible, you need to take into account these changes in diet. That’s why it is recommended to choose Hill’s Science Diet as the best senior dog food 2019. The main advantage of this diet is the appropriate balance and full compliance with all needs of older canines over 11 years old. It is produced on the basis of high-quality, easily digestible ingredients, such as chicken meat, flaxseed, salmon flour, vegetable oil as well as rice. In addition, this nutrition contains all necessary minerals to support a healthy heart and kidneys of your canine. Presence of Omega 6 and vitamin E helps to take care of skin and coat. So, you will be able to improve the quality of life of your pooch and save him from possible health problems. That’s why this diet should be your choice number one.
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