Best Senior Dog Food in 2018 – Top 10 Products to Buy

We all know about the benefits of ready-made feeds. They save us time, they are convenient to store and take with you on the road. Balanced diets are very tasty, and their composition is strictly set. We prepared a table with the best senior dog food that contains its main characteristics and rating. All the products present in our top 10 senior dog foods review deserve attention.

1 place :

Best Overall: Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food

Hill’s Science Diet is the best senior dog food for canines that are 11+ years old. This product is developed using advanced technologies of nutrition science. It takes into account the age, size and individual needs of representatives of small and toy breeds, effectively combats the signs of aging and prolongs the life of the animal. Thanks to the unique patented formula of Youthful Vitality, the diet is able to provide the body with “fuel” and to monitor the health. At the same time, this best dry dog food for senior dogs is made exclusively of natural raw materials, it includes easily digestible chicken meat, is well assimilated, has an attractive taste for canines and a not very large size of croquettes. Delicious, fragrant, comfortable for gnawing ration will certainly enjoy your tailed pet!

pros +

Contains all-natural ingredients.

Is specific for the canines of small breeds that are 11+ years old.

Contains a wide set of vitamins.

The small size of croquettes.

cons -

High price that absolutely corresponds the quality.

2 place :

Best Superfoods: Nutro ULTRA Senior Dry Dog Food

Nutro Ultra is a finding for the owners of senior animals. This best dog food for adult dogs contains all the necessary ingredients and vitamins that are absolutely needed for radiant and healthy skin, strong muscles and the immune system of your senior pet. It is made with high-quality protein and contains up to 15 superfoods including blueberries, coconut, chia, kale, and others. As Nutro is against artificial flavors, they do not include them in the best senior dog food.

pros +

Perfect set of ingredients.

Excellent for the health of pets.

Without artificial flavors.

Big size of the package.

cons -

Has unpleasant smell.

3 place :

Best All Life: CANIDAE All Life Stages Dry Dog Food

CANIDAE large breed senior dog food with chicken, turkey, lamb, and fish is the product of a holistic class. It does not contain corn, soy, and wheat, and there are no harmful preservatives in it. Brown rice – the main supplier of carbohydrates in the diet, it is designed to give the dog energy and strength. It is absolutely great for dogs suffering from skin diseases and allergies, thanks to a dozen natural supplements. This best natural dog food for senior dogs will perfectly maintain the healthy condition of the skin and is suitable for pets of all ages and different levels of activity. No matter how many years your pooch is and what breed it belongs to, a delicious and fragrant lunch, breakfast or dinner with an easily digestible formula will always please it.

pros +

Fits canines of all ages and breeds.

Contains a perfect set of Omega 3 and Omega 6.

All-natural ingredients.

Generous size of the package.

cons -

It is not recommended to switch your pet to this nutrition at once.

4 place :

Best Formula of Ingredients: Blue Buffalo Natural Senior Dry Dog Food

Blue Buffalo developed a special formula to feed senior canines. Blue Buffalo senior dog food is full of ingredients that are needed for the well-being of the animal. The main one is a real chicken, so the protein that is absolutely natural and high-quality. The presence of L-Carnitine is ideal for strong muscles of your elder pooch. BLUE premium senior dog food also boasts of its LifeSource Bits with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals which were selected by holistic veterinarians and even by animal nutritionists. It means that the company treats animals as friends and knows everything how to make their life better and longer.

pros +

Exclusive LifeSource Bits formula.

Joint-friendly ingredients.

Enriched with natural meat-based proteins.

Doesn’t contain artificial supplements.

cons -

May cause an allergic reaction.

5 place :

Best Budget: Diamond Naturals SENIOR Real Meat Recipe Natural Dry Dog Food with Real Cage Free Chicken

Diamond Naturals developed an organic senior dog food for pets with normal activity, as well as for sensitive canines prone to allergic manifestations. This best rated senior dog food is excellent for canines that are in the rehabilitation period after the illness. Chicken meat provides optimal nutrition for a pooch that loves the taste of it or is lamb meat sensitive. A guaranteed level of vitamin E and selenium provides your 4-paws friend with all necessary antioxidants. A balanced ratio of omega-2 fatty acids maintains skin health and makes the coat thick and shiny.

pros +

Contains gut-friendly probiotics.

Is full of necessary antioxidants.

Large size of the package.

Affordable price.

cons -

Some dogs may refuse from eating this nutrition.

6 place :

Best Omega Rich: Iams PROACTIVE HEALTH Dry Dog Food

Iams Proactive Health low protein senior dog food is designed especially for your active animal. It will feel the smell of this top-quality diet from any place and will run to you to get some bites at once. This proactive health canine nutrition has real chicken as the main ingredient and provides your pet with the protein required for strong muscles. It is also enriched with antioxidants for a healthy immune system. The presence of minerals is excellent for the bones. So, if you choose this best senior dog food, your 9+ pooch won’t experience troubles with health.

pros +

The ideal set of ingredients for 9-year-old pets.

The main source of protein is chicken.

Contains gut-friendly grains.

Contains all minerals that are important for the health.

cons -

Dogs usually eat it less than any other dry food.

7 place :

Best Wet Food: BLUE Homestyle Recipe Wet Dog Food

Blue Homestyle Recipe is a budget variant of the best wet dog food for senior dogs, but still, the manufacturer doesn’t use by-products, as well as artificial dyes, preservatives and all kinds of stabilizers. In case if your senior pet doesn’t drink enough water, this product is the one you need to treat it with. It contains 78% of moisture that is enough for the senior dog, who refused to drink water from a separate bowl. The formula of the current best canned dog food for senior dogs consists of chondroitin and glucosamine, which help to prevent arthritis and are perfect for the bones.

pros +

Contains real meat proteins only.

Has no allergenic grains among the ingredients.

Is perfect for canine’s bones and health.

Contains 78% of moisture.

cons -

High price as it is a wet product.

8 place :

Best Dry Mix: AvoDerm Natural Health Solutions

Avoderm dry food for senior animals provides your lovely pets with balanced nutrition for the healthy skin and beautiful coat. In case if your pooch likes avocados, it will enjoy this product. Why exactly was avocado chosen as the ingredient in this good senior dog food? Because this fruit serves as a great source of omega fatty acids. It is absolutely grain-free and doesn’t cause allergies. In addition, the product is rich in vitamins A, C, E, and B6 that are necessary for your elder 4-paws friend.

pros +

Contains healthy superfoods.

Rich in necessary fats.

Is absolutely grain-free.

Contains a mix of chicken lamb and salmon.

cons -

Won’t fit the dogs, who hate avocado.

9 place :

Best with DHA: Nature’s Variety Instinct Raw Boost Natural Dry Dog Food

Nature’s Variety Instinct raw boost dry is the best adult dog food thanks to an amazing set of ingredients it contains. Except for perfect content of proteins, it also contains DHA for healthy eyes and brains. The presence of probiotics is good for proper digestion. It contains no grain, potato, corn, wheat, soy, and by-product meal. Artificial colors or preservative are also absent from the list of ingredients. Manufacturer guarantees that the diet contains 70% of real animal products that are ideal for perfect well-being and healthy life.

pros +

Enriched with probiotics.

Contains DHA.

Contains unique formula of freeze-dried raw food.

The high content of proteins.

cons -

Small weight.

10 place :

Best Taste: Wellness Complete Health Natural Dry Senior Dog Food

This is the best senior dog food that is formulated to improve the body and health of the pets. Pets like it for its taste and owners prefer it because of a perfect set of ingredients. The diet serves as a complete wellness diet. It is developed with a perfect balance of protein, fat, carbohydrates and all other essential vitamins and minerals needed to support the overall health and vitality of a senior pooch. As the aged canines have a slower metabolism, Wellness senior dog food has fewer calories than any other similar diet.

pros +

A balanced level of vitamins and minerals.

Effective in digestive health enhancement.

Contains a wide set of necessary ingredients.

Is delicious for senior animals.

cons -

May cause diarrhea.

On sale there are the following types of the best senior dog food, which can be used as the main diet of the senior canine:

• Dry food;
• Wet or canned food.

Let’s consider them both in details.

Dry Food for Seniors

In the diet of most dogs, dry nutrition takes from 30 to 80% of the amount of food consumed. The technology of production of dry feed allows adding a scientifically substantiated amount of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals, including the cereal, and meat ingredients. Soft senior dog food can be stored for a long time in a dried state, without losing its properties.

Consumption of dry fodders presupposes consumption of a moderate quantity of drinking water for animals, access to which must be round the clock.

Wet Food for Seniors

The best diet for older dogs obtained as a result of processing the bones and internal organs of animals, with the addition of fats, natural meat, fish and auxiliary ingredients, is usually canned. Such products can be packed in soft plastic bags or metal cans.

Wet yummies are initially designed for long periods of storage, that’s why they contain food additives.

To choose a right diet for your aging pooch is not a simple task. Almost all the aged animals are in need of special nutrition that will fit them and won’t cause problems with heath. So, what should you look at while choosing the best senior dog food?

The presence of a pet is the around-the-clock work of the owner, requiring much attention and effort on your side. It’s like taking care of children in your family. The responsibility of the pet owner doubles when the pet is sick or not well maintained. Obtaining the necessary treatment for a pooch is a huge responsibility. Various best senior dog food brands that are in stores can contain assorted ingredients. If you choose among them, you are to be sure that they will be great for the health in the best way possible.

Also, it is important that the diet of a senior animal should be different from the nutrition that puppies or elderly individuals receive. Rations designed specifically for an adult pet, contain the necessary amount of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, as well as microelements and vitamins.

The optimal structure of the canine’s diet is the combination of dry and moist forages that correspond to the age. If the pet is still offered a different cuisine, you should take care of its transition to the best dog food for senior dogs. We managed to analyze the main requirements for and reviewed top-rated products that will help you to take care of your lovely pet.

#1 Consult the Vet

Remember that only veterinarian may advise you how to feed the pet and how to choose the right food for older dogs. He will analyze the ability of the pooch to digest the food and will give a recommendation on ingredients that are necessary. In case if there were some specific illnesses, it is necessary to take them into account as well.

#2 Choose Dog Food with High Content of Proteins

Protein is very important for senior dog diet. Four-legged friends have a reduced need for protein, but at the same time, the requirements for its quality are increasing. Therefore, a decrease in the number of proteins together with an increase in their quality can favorably affect the condition of an aging animal.

#3 Avoid Artificial Supplements

Some dry products are sprayed with animal fat, which is an unnecessary and unhealthy ingredient. There may also be synthetic preservatives and artificial flavors or colorants. All of them are harmful.

#4 Prefer Food with Wholesome Grains

Oatmeal, brown rice, and quinoa are the best grains as they contain amino acids, which are necessary for a long and healthy life of your pet.

What Age Should You Switch to Senior Dog Food?

A pooch is considered to be senior when it is 7 or 8-years-old. But the age varies depending on the breed. The best senior dog food large breed has its own peculiarities.

How Is Senior Dog Food Different?

Senior dogs need lower in calories nutrition, so the quantity of food should be smaller. Diets, which were developed by famous manufacturers, already contain fewer calories and at the same time make pets feel full.

Hill’s Science Diet is the best senior dog food in our TOP 10. It has the best rating thanks to the excellent quality of the product and presence of numerous necessary ingredients. By the way, Hills is the very first company that began to produce nutrition, taking into account the individual characteristics of the animals. Its product allows not only maintaining the health of the canine at an appropriate level but also to cure some diseases and prolong the life of the animal.

It is clinically proven that Hill’s Science Diet dry best dog food for senior dogs helps the pets to walk, run, jump and climb the stairs in just 21 days. It also helps support articular cartilage due to the high content of Omega-3, glucosamine, and chondroitin, obtained from natural sources. So, if you really care of your pet, choose this best senior dog food!