what s a good dog food for senior dogs
The best senior dog food of 2024, with advice from veterinarians
What to look for in senior dog food
Our experts say the following criteria are important to consider when shopping for senior dog food:
AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement for adult maintenance or all life stages: The AAFCO is a nonprofit organization that recommends nutritional profiles based on an animal's life stage. They don't approve pet foods or establish specific standards for senior dog foods. However, choosing a senior food formulated for adult maintenance or all life stages ensures the recipe fulfills the recommended protein, fat, and nutrient requirements of adult dogs. The best dog foods for senior pups will also contain beneficial extras such as glucosamine and chondroitin to support joint health and have fewer calories per serving than adult dog foods.
Ingredient list: Labels list ingredients by weight, so the first few ingredients generally make up the majority of the food's weight. "There are no particular ingredients that senior dogs should avoid," says Luisana. However, she recommends grain-inclusive foods over grain-free foods due to the potential link between grain-free dog foods, especially those containing peas, and dilated cardiomyopathy.
Guaranteed analysis: Rather than fixating on dog food ingredient lists, our experts say to examine the guaranteed analysis of important nutrients, including protein, fat, fiber, and other essential vitamins and minerals. Adult dog food must have a minimum of 18% protein and 5.5% fat to fulfill a dog's nutritional needs. As the AAFCO doesn't set specific standards for senior dog foods, the guaranteed analysis of these foods can vary significantly between recipes. Before selecting a food, our experts recommend asking your vet about the best food for your senior pup.
Healthy extras: The best senior dog food will contain extra ingredients that support their unique needs. For example, Freeman and Welborn highlight the potential benefits of antioxidants in supporting healthy aging. Welborn suggests a diet rich in antioxidants, such as Purina Bright Minds, if your dog experiences cognitive dysfunction. Other healthy extras for seniors include joint-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, glucosamine, and chondroitin.
Calorie content: A dog's metabolism typically slows as they age, and many seniors are less active. So, senior dog foods usually contain fewer calories than adult formulations, according to Churchill. Freeman adds that overweight senior dogs are at greater risk of weight-related conditions like arthritis and diabetes. That said, feeding your dog less food could result in a nutritional deficiency. That's why Freeman recommends switching to a low-calorie senior diet or a weight-management diet based on guidance from your vet.
Breed-size formulation: The best food for your senior pup may depend on their size. Our experts say small and large breed seniors have different health risks and may also require different calorie amounts and kibble sizes. Buying food specific to your pup's size helps ensure they get a recipe formulated for their needs.
Feeding-trial tested versus formulated foods: The best senior dog foods have been formulated and in some cases, feeding-trial tested to meet the AAFCO's nutritional standards for adult maintenance or all life stages. If your dog's food has an AAFCO label, you'll know the recipe fulfills the recommended protein, fat, and nutrient requirements for adult dogs. A label indicating feeding trials confirms the food's safety and palatability based on testing with a group of dogs.
Expert formulations: The dog food brands we recommend meet quality control standards. In other words, the brand employs a full-time board-certified veterinary nutritionist and potentially a PhD-level animal nutritionist, as recommended in the WSAVA guidelines.
Next-level ingredients: Next-level ingredients refer to those farmed or caught through humane and sustainable farming or harvesting practices. Although these ingredients may not offer extra nutrition to your pet, choosing pet food with ingredients like farmed raised meats, cage-free eggs, and sustainably caught fish helps you support a pet food company that prioritizes both animal welfare and sustainable practices.
8 Best Foods for Senior Dogs in 2024, Recommended by Vets
Senior dogs are like humans in lots of ways. They like longer naps, might move a bit slower, and their nutritional needs change over time.
As your dog ages, their sense of taste and smell becomes less strong, so its important to give them highly palatable food. And aging organs process nutrients differently and sometimes need a little extra support.
This might include switching to a higher-quality protein, providing extra nutritional support, and adding prebiotics and probiotics to support digestive and immune system health.
Our veterinary panel considered dozens of dog foods designed for senior pets and narrowed down to a list of their top eight recommendations.
When buying food for your senior dog, our vets recommended focusing on foods that are approved by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) and paying special attention to the ingredient list. Look for added antioxidants, supplements like glucosamine and chondroitin, and omega-3 fatty acids.
If the food is supported by feeding trials, it should be noted on the packagingthis is a good measure of quality. Focus on foods with high-quality protein that your dog will enjoy. Older dogs often lose their appetites and may eat less, which can lead to health issues.
Feeding the best senior dog food possible
Senior Dog Nutritional Requirements
A lot can change in the later years of your pets life, and the best dog food for older dogs is one formulated to keep up with a senior dogs nutritional requirements. Thats why Science Diet senior dog foods are made with special care for an older pets changing biology with balanced minerals for heart and kidney health, omega-6s & vitamin E for beautiful skin & coat, and easy-to-digest ingredients to support digestion.
Because older dogs can sometimes become more lethargic than they once were, Hills also offers biology-based senior dog foods to support brain function, interaction and overall energy and vitality.
9 Homemade Dog Food Recipes for Senior Dogs
If your dog is getting into their senior years its important that their diets are adjusted to fit their evolving needs.
There are so many benefits to feeding your senior dogs homemade dog food, including the ability to customize their diet specifically for their individual needs.
When making your pets food right in your own kitchen you have the advantage of knowing exactly what ingredients went into the recipe. This allows you to keep better track of your senior dogs health.
Are you turning away from commercial dog food and looking for homemade dog food recipes for senior dogs? Keep reading for 12 great recipes your older dog will love.
Homemade Dog Food Recipes for Senior Dogs
1. Brown Rice, Turkey, and Veggies
This recipe for brown rice, turkey, and veggies is a healthy, low-calorie, and low-fat homemade dog food that your senior dogs will love.
This recipe is especially great for overweight senior dogs because it uses lean meat with healthy carbohydrates and vegetables. This delicious combination is sure to help you keep your senior dog healthy and trim!
The recipe makes around 12 cups of homemade dog food for your senior dog that can be separated into single-serve containers and stored in your refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can also freeze the single servings.
2. Homemade Dog Food Recipe for Sensitive Senior Dog Tummies
It can be difficult to find recipes for homemade dog food that are easy on your poochs sensitive tummy.
Some dogs are sensitive to fatty foods and can have food allergies, but regardless of the reason youll want to be thoughtful of your dogs specific nutritional needs.
This homemade dog food recipe for a sensitive senior dogs tummy is free of common allergens that plague pups, like soy, dairy, wheat, beef, and poultry.
In place of these ingredients, this recipe uses a lean novel protein which will reduce the risk of causing irritation for your senior pups stomach.
This homemade dog food recipe for senior dogs can be separated into individual servings and refrigerated for up to 5 days, or you can freeze the servings for later.
6. Chicken Casserole for Dogs
This chicken casserole for dogs recipe is great for senior dogs because its very easy to digest while providing many vitamins and minerals essential for senior dogs development.
This homemade dog food recipe for senior dogs helps provide a balanced diet for your dog, filled with natural antioxidants, fiber, protein, and carbohydrates.
As a caution, this recipe does contain cabbage, which may cause gas in some older dogs, so it can be adjusted or removed if need be.
This chicken casserole can be separated into individual servings and stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
7. Peanut Butter and Banana Dog Biscuits
This recipe for peanut butter and banana dog biscuits is a delicious treat for your senior pup. These dog biscuits are especially great treats for holidays!
What dog doesnt love peanut butter? This homemade dog food recipe for senior dogs is sure to be a hit for your four-legged friends, whether its a special occasion or not.
Even if youre watching your senior dogs weight, you can still give them the occasional treat, just be careful not to overdo it.
8. Grain-Free Recipe for Senior Dogs
This grain-free recipe is a fantastic homemade dog food recipe for your senior dog.
This homemade dog food includes all of the essential vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids an aging dog might need, without any grain ingredients.
Made with proteins including liver, poultry, and sunflower oil for linoleic acid, this grain-free dog food includes at least 10 essential amino acids for senior dogs.
You can separate this meal into individual servings to be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in sealed containers or freeze each serving for later use.
9. Homemade Raw Dog Food
This recipe for homemade raw dog food is easy to prepare and make adjustments to for smaller or larger senior dogs.
This homemade dog food recipe for senior dogs consists mostly of meat with proportions of 80% meat with fat, 10% organs, 5% vegetables or fruits, and 5% dairy. This food provides complete nutrition for your senior dog and can be tweaked to their dietary needs easily.
For the easiest storage, form the raw food into meat patties and store them stacked with parchment paper between patties in the freezer.
To thaw, take the patties out of the freezer the day before you want to use them and put them in the refrigerator so they can thaw.
10. Bacon Cornmeal Dog Biscuits
This recipe for bacon cornmeal dog biscuits makes a fantastic and flavorful treat for senior dogs. Its a breeze to make and you can make small or large biscuits based on your dogs size.
This homemade dog food recipe for senior dogs consists of flavors your pooch wont be able to get enough of!
You can adjust the serving size of these dog biscuits simply by making smaller biscuits for small dogs or larger biscuits for large dogs. The recipe makes around 12 medium-sized servings.
11. Homemade Dog Treats
These homemade dog treats are conveniently made using just 3 ingredients. Some of the senior dogs favorite flavors in these yummy treats are peanut butter and pumpkin.
This homemade dog food recipe for senior dogs is simple to make. Just mix the 3 ingredients, roll out the dough, cut it into shapes if you prefer, and then bake it!
Keep an eye on the bake time, since the thickness of the treats will determine how fast they bake. The longer they bake the crunchier they get so be careful not to overcook them.
These homemade dog treats can be stored at room temperature for up to 2 weeks as long as they are stored in an air-tight container. They last up to 4 weeks in a sealed container in the refrigerator and up to 6 months in the freezer.
12. Low Protein Homemade Dog Food Recipe for Senior Dogs
Low-protein food should only be fed to your pet with the strict supervision of their veterinarian. Always consult with a veterinarian before changing your dogs diet.
This recipe for low-protein dog food is a fantastic homemade dog food for senior dogs with special care needs including a diet low in protein.
Make sure to use the fattiest ground beef you can find when making low-protein food because youll have more fat and less protein.
Store this homemade dog food for your senior pup in the refrigerator in a sealed container for up to 4 days.
Diet Requirements for Senior Dogs
When planning out your senior dogs diet, its important to strictly follow the instructions and advice of the veterinarian who treats your pet.
As dogs age the way they digest food and use nutrients can change, so youll need to make changes to their diet to keep them happy and fit in their golden years.
Homemade dog food provides complete nutritional value for senior dogs and it can also help with some of the health issues seen in older dogs.
The most vital nutrients that should be present in homemade dog food for senior dogs include protein, fats, carbohydrates, and vitamins A, B, D, E, and K. Other important nutrients for senior dogs include fiber, calcium, magnesium, potassium, copper, zinc, manganese, and iron.
Calorie Considerations for Senior Dogs
Obesity is a concern for dogs, especially for senior dogs, because their metabolism slows significantly as they age.
As a result, its easy for older dogs to pack on the pounds, but its quite a challenge for them to shed the extra weight. Since being overweight is rough on dogs joints, you should try to keep them as lean as possible.
To ensure your dog doesnt become overweight, be sure to feed them a low-carb diet. A low-carb diet is healthier for senior dogs pancreas as well.
Protein Considerations for Senior Dogs
Most senior dogs require more protein as they age because the loss of muscle tone is a common issue for older pets.
You should make sure the homemade dog food recipes for your senior dogs contain around 28 to 32 percent protein.
In rare cases, your dogs veterinarian may prescribe a low-protein diet. Usually, this only happens when your dog has an underlying medical condition.
Never feed your senior dogs a low-protein diet unless youve been instructed to by a licensed veterinarian.
Foods to Avoid
Some foods should not be fed to dogs because they can be hard to digest, even toxic and dangerous.
Avoid feeding your dogs onions, garlic, chives, and other members of the allium family because these foods can cause kidney failure in dogs.
You should also avoid grapes and raisins because they can also cause kidney failure and also severe liver damage.
Macadamia nuts should not be fed to pups because they contain a toxin that affects their nervous system, resulting in weakness, panting, and swollen limbs. Avocado also contains toxins that are toxic to dogs.
Avoid giving your dog any foods containing artificial sweeteners like xylitol because it can result in liver failure and blood-clotting disorders.
Try Out These Homemade Dog Food Recipes for Senior Dogs!
Homemade dog food recipes are generally easy and quick to make using healthy ingredients to support your aging dogs health and changing dietary needs.
Whether your senior dog likes savory dishes with vegetables or sweet treats like dog treats made with peanut butter and fruits, there is something for every aging pup to enjoy!
Are you looking for more homemade dog food ideas? Check out this list of 17 Homemade Dog Treats to find delicious treats for your senior dogs.
