best dog food for older finicky dogs
Best Dog Food For Senior Dogs
A long life is the result of good genes, good care, and good luck. While a few four-leaf clovers never hurt anyone, chances are its a little late to worry about good genes once youve welcomed a dog into your heart. That leaves good care as the one thing you can control now. And a big part of good care is good nutrition.
However, there are issues when it comes to feeding your senior dog. Neither the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) nor the National Research Council have determined official dietary requirements for aging dogs. Its partly because senior dogs vary so much in their individual needs. That may explain why commercial foods for seniors vary so widely in nutrient levels.
Nobody expects you to be a nutritionist just to pick out a bag of dog food. But you should be aware of just a few important factors that apply to most senior dogs. This will help you choose the best dog food for your senior dog.
Dont Restrict Protein
This matter is widely misunderstood. Many people still believe senior dogs should eat less protein. We now know the opposite is true. Healthy seniors need more protein, not less, in order to fuel muscle. Loss of muscle mass is a major problem in older dogs. Some seniors lose so much muscle they can no longer walk unassisted.
Older dogs need about 50 percent more protein to maintain muscle mass compared to younger ones. But, diets formulated for adult maintenance diets often dont have enough protein to satisfy these needs. Veterinarian Ernie Ward, founder of the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, recommends 28 to 32 percent protein on a dry-matter basis for healthy older dogs, especially in those cases where weight loss is needed.
Consider Calories
Younger seniors tend to be overweight. But, very old dogs tend to be underweight. A 2011 study found that calories in senior foods varied widely, ranging from 246 to 408 calories per cup. So, the same senior food may be a great choice if your dog needs to lose weight. But it may be a bad choice if they need to gain weight.
Dont forget that the time to consider calories is well before old age sets in. Two benchmark studies conducted by major dog food companies Purina and Waltham both found that restricting calories throughout life improved longevity and reduced illnesses. Essentially, good care for senior dogs starts in youth.
Feed For Organ Health
Other factors to consider are senior dog health problems such as heart and kidney disease. For both conditions, youll want a low-sodium food. But, that same 2011 study found that sodium levels in senior foods ranged from 33 to 412 mg/100 kcal. For kidney disease, youll want low phosphorous, but thats not even mentioned on any label. The 2011 study found phosphorous levels varied by threefold in the senior foods they examined, but were on average higher than their representative adult maintenance food.
Prescription diets are available for heart, kidney, and other diseases that take into account these nutritional needs. However, even those foods may have wide ranges of nutrients. Any dog food manufacturer should be able to provide these numbers to you on their website or with a simple phone call. While youre at it, ask them about the credentials of the people formulating their foods. If they cant provide either, thats clue number one that you should find another product.
Add Supplements
Some senior foods include supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin in an effort to combat osteoarthritis. Unfortunately, the evidence that these supplements actually work is limited. However, they wont hurtexcept maybe your wallet.
On the other hand, omega-3 fatty acids probably play an important role in senior diets because they may help combat both osteoarthritis and especially cognitive losses. If you are adding your own to your dogs diet, aim for the amount of EPA and DHA combined to be in the range of 700 to 1,500 mg. Build up starting at the low end and cut back if your dog has any diarrhea or vomiting.
Theres probably more to the recipe than simply EPA and DHA, however. Research conducted at Purina tested Beagles between the ages of 9.5 and 11 years of age that were fed either a standard diet or one supplemented with antioxidants, B vitamins, fish oil, and L-arginine for six months. The dogs fed this Brain Protection Blend performed significantly better on a series of mental tasks, especially the more difficult ones, compared to the dogs not receiving the blend. The tasks involved determining which one of several shallow wells contained food when the cue was a marker either next to it, near it, or displaced at an angle; or seeing how well they did on a task requiring them to discriminate right, left, and center, and then relearning which side was correct in order to receive a reward.
Make Food Palatable For Senior Dogs
There are practical aspects of feeding your dog to consider, too. Senior dogs may have dental problems that make chewing difficult or uncomfortable. These dogs should first be treated for whatever problem they have, but if that is impossible or unsuccessful, consider wetting their food or feeding them canned or soft food. Simply feeding a smaller kibble size may help if youre feeding dry food.
Senior dogs may be uncomfortable bending down to the food bowl or standing for long periods to eat. Try serving their meals on a raised platform or encourage them to eat lying down.
Very old dogs often lose their appetite. Warming the food can increase its aroma and may help stimulate the appetite; cooling it may make it less nausea-inducing in queasy dogs. At some point you may have to abandon your goal of a healthy balanced diet and just feed him whatever he will eat. The wait until hes hungry enough tactic doesnt work in seniors because their hunger mechanism may not be working correctly. Besides, its a little late to be worried about spoiling himand even if you do, doesnt he deserve it?
This column first appeared in theSeptember/October 2019 issue of AKC Family Dogmagazine.
Best Dog Food for Picky Eaters
Beef Recipe is one of 4 fresh formulas included in our review of the Farmers Dog fresh product line.
This Farmers Dog example recipe derives the better part of its meat protein from fresh beef. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 39% protein, 29% fat and 24% estimated carbs yielding a fat-to-protein ratio of about 73%.
This fresh-made, human-grade dog food has been designed by a board-certified veterinary nutritionist.
And unlike competing brands
The Farmers Dog was tested for nutritional adequacy using a method we consider superior to AAFCOs gold standard system. The company conducted live feeding trials on real dogs of multiple breed sizes and ages over 6-years.
A top choice for picky eaters. Enthusiastically recommended.
Read our review of the full The Farmers Dog Food (Fresh) range here
Main Ingredients USDA beef, sweet potato, lentils, carrot, USDA beef liver Type Grain-free, fresh Protein Percentage 39 AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For Adults and puppies (including large breeds) Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at TheFarmersDog.com"Pubby is SOOO picky and his stomach is a little sensitive. We made the switch to a fresh food dietPubby loves it and we do too! Were all happy now. #imafarmersdog"
JustFoodForDogs Pantry Fresh Beef and Russet Potato received the Dog Food Advisors rating of 4 stars.
It is one of nine recipes in this range made by Just Food For Dogs, a company founded in 2010 by entrepreneur Shawn Buckley.
JustFoodForDogs Pantry Fresh Beef and Russet Potato derives the bulk of its protein from beef, which is naturally rich in all 10 essential amino acids required by a dog to sustain life.
Dry matter label analysis reveals a wet recipe containing 28% protein, 28% fat and 36% carbohydrates. . . with a fat to protein ratio of 100%.
This Pantry Fresh range is vet-recommended, fresh, human-grade food. They can be stored safely for up to two years (refrigeration is only required once opened).
Read our review of the full Just Food For Dogs Pantry Fresh Dog Food range here
Main Ingredients Beef, beef hearts, potatoes, carrots, sweet potatoes Texture Wet Type Fresh Protein Percentage 28.3% AAFCO Standards Maintenance Best For Adult dogs only Sample buyer review...
"My dog relishes whichever fresh food recipe she gets. Not a picky eater."
Beef Mash is one of 4 fresh recipes rated in our review of the Nom Nom dog food product line.
Nom Nom Beef Mash acquires the majority of its meat protein from fresh ground beef. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 35% protein, 17% fat and 40% estimated carbs which produces a fat-to-protein ratio of about 50%.
We also note the inclusion of manganese gluconate and 3 other chelated minerals, costly nutrients typically found only in better quality pet foods.
An affordable fresh, human-grade option. A moist and tasty design, ideal for fussy eaters. Highly recommended.
Read our review of the full Nom Nom Dog Food (Fresh) range here
Main Ingredients Ground beef, russet potatoes, eggs, carrots, peas Type Grain-free, fresh Protein Percentage 35 AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For Adults and puppies (including large breeds) Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at NomNomNow.com"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!!!"
Chicken with carrots is one of 4 fresh recipes covered in our review of the Ollie fresh dog food product line.
This Ollie formula derives the bulk of its meat protein from fresh chicken. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 36% protein, 18% fat and 38% estimated carbs creating a fat-to-protein ratio of about 50%.
A veterinarian-designed meal thats optimized for your dogs age, weight, breed size and activity level. Made with 100% human-grade ingredients.
An exceptional fresh canine diet. Recommended with confidence.
Read our review of the full Ollie Dog Food (Fresh) range here
Main Ingredients Chicken, carrots, peas, rice, chicken liver Type Grain-inclusive Protein Percentage 36 AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For Adults and puppies (including large breeds) Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at MyOllie.com"I may have the pickiest dog when it comes to her food. I have tried several brands of food but resolved to cooking ground chicken and sweet potatoes to add to Mocha's kibble. I ordered Ollie's fresh chicken food and Mocha loves it!!! I like the cute mixing dish and scoop too."
Raised Right Beef is one of 11 fresh recipes included in our review of the Raised Right product line.
Raised Right Beef derives the lions share of its animal protein from fresh beef. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 61% protein, 24% fat and 8% estimated carbs delivering a fat-to-protein ratio of about 39%.
This brands overall protein content of 61% as well as its low fat-to-protein ratio combine to confirm the food contains an abundance of high quality, low-fat meat.
One of the best fresh, human-grade dog foods on the market. Unusually wide recipe selection can be a major plus especially for picky eaters. Highly recommended.
Read our review of the full Raised Right Dog Food (Fresh) range here
Main Ingredients Beef, beef heart, carrots, beef liver, cranberries Type Grain-free, fresh Protein Percentage 61 AAFCO Standards Maintenance Best For Adult dogs only Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at RaisedRight.com"My dog has always been a finicky eater. She sniffs new foods and walks away if they are not agreeable to her sense of smell. She would go through her food bowl and toss out anything she didnt like. She loves Raised Right and even eats the vegetables. In fact, she licks her bowl clean after every meal."
Teeny Texas Steak Tips is one of 8 wet recipes analyzed in our review of the Merrick Lil Plates small breed product line.
This Merrick Lil Plates formula draws most of its animal protein from fresh beef. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 44% protein, 17% fat and 31% estimated carbs yielding a fat-to-protein ratio of about 38%.
A fully-balanced wet food containing above-average levels of omega-3 fatty acids. The design also includes glucosamine and chondroitin for healthy skin and joints.
A nutritious design containing both prebiotics and probiotics to aid in digestion.
A top pick for smaller, picky breeds. Enthusiastically recommended.
Read our review of the full Merrick Lil Plates Grain Free Dog Food (Cups) range here
Main Ingredients Beef, beef broth, venison broth, beef liver, dried egg whites Texture Wet Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 44 AAFCO Standards Maintenance Best For Adult dogs only Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"Our dogs are 15 yrs old. One has had several teeth pulled so some foods are hard for her to eat. They other is just plain picky. They both love this!"
Chicken and Rice Formula is one of 4 wet recipes evaluated in our review of the Canidae canned dog food product line.
This Canidae All Life Stages formula gets most of its animal protein from fresh chicken. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 41% protein, 30% fat and 22% estimated carbs producing a fat-to-protein ratio of about 72%.
A super-popular, tasty, fully-balanced grain-inclusive wet dog food thats ideal for both picky puppies and adults. Highly recommended.
Read our review of the full Canidae All Life Stages Dog Food (Canned) range here
Main Ingredients Chicken, chicken broth, chicken liver, dried egg product, brown rice Texture Wet Type Grain-inclusive Protein Percentage 41 AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For Adults and puppies (including large breed puppies) Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"My 12 pound terrier mix is very finicky and also has a sensitive stomach. She enjoys the taste of this and it keeps her regular so I give it 5 stars. Definitely recommend."
Adult Chicken and Brown Rice is one of 21 dry recipes included in our review of the Blue Buffalo Life Protection product line.
This particular Blue Buffalo Life Protection formula receives the major part of its animal protein from fresh deboned chicken. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 27% protein, 16% fat and 50% estimated carbs delivering a fat-to-protein ratio of about 58%.
Contains an optimal balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to support a shiny coat and healthy skin.
In addition, we also note the inclusion of zinc amino acid chelate and 3 other organic minerals, costly nutrients typically found only in better quality pet foods.
An affordable, fully balanced option. Ideal for finicky eaters. Highly recommended.
Read our review of the full Blue Buffalo Dog Food range here
Main Ingredients Deboned chicken, chicken meal, brown rice, barley, oatmeal Texture Dry Type Grain-inclusive Protein Percentage 27 AAFCO Standards Maintenance Best For Adult dogs only Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"Our dog has used the puppy version of this food since he was a few months old. He was instantly interested in/excited about the adult version when we transitioned to it. Very pleased!"
Orijen Original is one of 9 dry recipes contained in our review of the Orijen product line.
This Orijen dry formula draws the lions share of its animal protein from fresh chicken, turkey, flounder and whole mackerel. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 43% protein, 20% fat and 28% estimated carbs creating a fat-to-protein ratio of about 47%.
Champion Petfoods, the respected maker of Orijen, has always advocated for a meat-based, biologically appropriate diet. A healthy, fully-balanced design makes this high protein recipe a superior option for picky eaters.
Highly recommended.
Read our review of the full Orijen Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Chicken, turkey, flounder, whole mackerel, chicken liver Texture Dry Type Grain-free Protein Percentage 43 AAFCO Standards All Life Stages Best For Adults and puppies (including large breeds) Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"My dog is a picky eater who has been very bored with her previous dry food. She eats this Orijen food as soon as I place the bowl down. The premium ingredients make me feel like I have made the correct food choice for my fur baby."
Small Breed Turkey is one of 13 dry recipes analyzed in our review of the Wellness Complete Health product line.
Wellness Complete Health Small Breed Turkey gets the major part of its animal protein from deboned turkey. Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 31% protein, 17% fat and 44% estimated carbs delivering a fat-to-protein ratio of about 54%.
Were pleased find the inclusion of zinc proteinate along with 3 other chelated minerals, nutrients typically found only in better quality pet foods.
A fully balanced, grain-inclusive option thats ideal for those pet parents who prefer to feed dry kibbles. Highly recommended.
Read our review of the full Wellness Complete Health Dog Food (Dry) range here
Main Ingredients Deboned turkey, chicken meal, salmon meal, oatmeal, ground brown rice Texture Dry Type Grain-inclusive Protein Percentage 31 AAFCO Standards Maintenance Best For Adult dogs only Sample buyer review...
Read more buyer reviews at Chewy.com"I have owned many dogs and my 2 now are the first picky eaters i have ever had. After trying about half a dozen foods they love this one. Their coats look great and their weight is perfect. It also has joint supplements and stomach probiotics. Highly recommend."
