What is the Best Dog Food for Senior Dogs?
Proper nutrition is rather important to lead a healthy and happy life. This is true even in the case of animals such as cats and dogs. If you have a dog at home, then it is your responsibility to ensure that you give the right nutrients to your pet in sufficient amounts. This will automatically help to support the different levels of growth, physical and mental developments, and the various maturation requirements of a dog during the different stages of existence.
Just like your elderlies, senior dogs also require specialized diets that help to improve their declining physical and mental functionality and meet their age appropriate nutrient needs. If you have a senior dog at home, it is necessary that you invest on an age-appropriate and high-quality nutrition for your pet. This will ensure that your dog is able to gain some energy even if it is a senior one.
Top 5 Senior Dog Food Brands
Do Senior Dogs Need Some Special Diet?
One of the primary psychologic changes that is rather common with aging or senior dogs is the gradual decline of their energy levels. This is nothing to do with their laziness. In fact, it is mainly due to the reduction in the functioning capacity of their organs that are mainly associated with mobility. If your senior dog already has various joint problems such as arthritis, then it can have more impact on their mobility.
The discomfort and pain that is associated with joint aches can make any senior dog easily frustrated while trying to move. As a result of this, aging dogs are normally seen lying down in one spot throughout the day. When this stage sets in, they do not require much energy from carbs.
One of the primary changes in the diet of a senior dog is a reduction in the intake of fat and carbs. This is simply because carbs is a rich source of calories for energy and fats happen to provide extremely concentrated forms of energy to dogs. Although aging dogs can do with a reduced intake of carbs, you will have to increase their daily intake of fiber.
It is needless to say that fiber will help improve their overall digestive system and the movement of bowels. Due to a reduced ability to move around, aging dogs will naturally suffer from proper bowel movement and a healthy digestive system. Thus, introduction of fiber will help overcome this problem.
Aging dogs also suffer from a reduction in their metabolic rate. This is another reason for you to lower their calorie intake. Due to reduced activities, senior dogs are easily prone to gaining weight and becoming obese. All of this can easily be related to various metabolic problems.
The body of a senior dog fails to balance water properly. This makes it rather important for an aging dog to have more water. If your senior pet refuses to have proper water, it may eventually suffer from electrolyte imbalance and dehydration. You may also try giving the animal a moisture rich food if it fails to have proper levels of water on a periodic basis.
Senior dogs need a low-fat and low-sodium diet since the risks associated with metabolic problems get enhanced manifold if their food includes a rich dose of sodium and fat. Providing your aging dog with proper supplements that contain chondroitin and glucosamine will be a good idea. Although most of the dog foods do contain these nutrients, additional supplements will not hurt their health at all.
These molecules can easily help relieve the various symptoms of arthritis and different other health conditions associated with articular surfaces. Both chondroitin and glucosamine can improve the overall production of synovial fluid and also enhance the flexibility of the joint capsule. In short, you may say that these molecules help to improve the mobility of aging dogs. However, experts say that proper weight management can also help by providing similar benefits.
Best Senior Dog Food List
Just like aging humans, aging dogs also require specialized foods to deal with various types of health issues. It is important that you give the right type of food to your pet if it suffers from any of the above-discussed health ailments. Although the first step is to discuss the matter with a vet and get his suggestions in terms of a proper diet, we have listed down some of the best quality foods that are specially designed for aging dogs.
① Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Senior Chicken and Brown Rice Recipe Dry Dog Food
This dog food was exclusively designed for aging dogs. It is made from whole grains, real meat, fruits, and garden veggies along with LifeSource Bits. The nutrients are blended precisely and have been enhanced with the help of Super 7 package antioxidant-rich ingredients. It is basically a protein rich and delicious food product that comes with deboned chicken. The ingredients are carefully chosen to support the overall well-being and health of aging dogs.
Some of the ingredients in this dog food include brown rice, chicken meal, pea fiber, barley, potato starch, oatmeal, potassium citrate, dicalcium phosphate, dehydrated alfalfa meal, sweet potatoes, garlic, vitamin E supplement, vegetable juice for color, vitamin B12 supplement, vitamin D3 supplement, manganese amino acid chelate, vitamin A supplement, and calcium iodate, to name a few.
Pros Cons 
Pros
Cons
② Hill’s Prescription Diet Metabolic + Mobility Weight and Joint Care Chicken Flavor Dry Dog Food
This dog food was exclusively designed by vets and nutritionists for proper management of your dog’s joint health and overall body weight. The food contains clinically proven nutrients in order to improve the mobility of your aging pet in as little as 21 days and also reduce the overall body weight by almost 13% in 2 months.
Some of the essential nutrients in the dog food include chicken meal, pea fiber, corn gluten meal, soybean mill run, whole grain corn, flaxseeds, wheat gluten, potassium chloride, pork liver flavor, vitamin A supplement, iodized salt, fish oil, chicken liver flavor, carrots, lactic acid, zinc oxide, calcium carbonate, vitamin B12 supplement, vitamin D3 supplement, riboflavin supplement, niacin supplement, and much more.
Pros Cons
Pros
Cons
③ Blue Buffalo Wilderness Senior Chicken Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
This dog food has been inspired by the diet followed by wolves. It is basically a grain-free and protein rich dog food that comes packed with chicken that your dog will simply love. The formula is such that it helps to meet all the important requirements of elderly dogs.
Some of the nutrients and ingredients in this dog food include deboned chicken, pea starch, chicken meal, pea protein, chicken fat, dried tomato pomace, fish oil, flaxseeds, pea fiber, natural flavor, taurine, vegetable juice for color, dried kelp, vitamin E supplement, calcium carbonate, zinc amino acid chelate, turmeric, barley grass, vitamin B12 supplement, vitamin D3 supplement, and vitamin A supplement to name a few.
Pros Cons
Pros
Cons
④ Nutro Wholesome Essentials Senior Farm Raised Chicken, Brown Rice and Sweet Potato Recipe Dry Dog Food
It is common for older dogs to suffer from various health issues such as joint aches, memory loss and even sensitivity to some specific foods. This dog food product has been designed to fulfil the requirements of antioxidants in senior dogs. It comes packed with DHA, omega 3 fatty acids, and ALA for cellular and brain health. It is quite delicious to have, thanks to the inclusion of oatmeal, whole brown rice, and real chicken. The naturally sourced chondroitin and glucosamine in the food product will also take care of the joint problems.
Some of the essential ingredients in the product include brewers rice, chicken fat, chicken meal, split peas, pea protein, barley, rice bran, potassium chloride, dried carrots, dried sweet potato, fish oil, citric acid, zinc sulfate, dried carrots, vitamin B12 supplement, vitamin D3 supplement, copper amino acid chelate, vitamin E supplement, and vitamin A supplement to name a few.
Pros Cons
Pros
Cons
⑤ Victor Senior Healthy Weight Dry Dog Food
This dog food is designed to meet the nutritional requirements of older pups. It contains glucosamine and chondroitin that help to improve the joint health. The dog food also comes with L-carnitine that assist in converting fat to energy in order to develop lean muscles. It is especially suitable for less active pups and those overweight dogs that need to reduce their body weight. It is made with gluten-free grains and happens to be one of the best choices for breeds that are easily susceptible to joint problems.
Some of the ingredients found in this dog food product include beef meal, whole grain millet, whole grain brown rice, chicken fat, natural flavor, menhaden fish meal, peas, potassium chloride, blood meal, dehydrated alfalfa meal, salt, taurine, dried seaweed meal, calcium carbonate, vitamin D3 supplement, iron amino acid complex, vitamin E supplement, manganese amino acid complex, vitamin B12 supplement, vitamin A supplement, and riboflavin supplement, to name a few.
Pros Cons
Pros
Cons
⑥ American Journey Chicken and Sweet Potato Recipe Grain-Free Senior Dry Dog Food
Dogs tend to lose their energy and vitality as they grow older. In order to help your pet stay active and lead a healthy life, you have to ensure that it gets proper nutrition. This dog food has been made with the help of some chosen nutrients that are rather useful in supporting the overall health conditions in senior dogs.
Antioxidants help to boost the natural immune system, medium chain triglycerides obtained from coconut oil help to support the overall brain health, and omega 3 fatty acids help to improve the health of the skin and coat of your aging pup. The presence of chondroitin and glucosamine also help to improve the mobility and joint health.
Pros Cons
Pros
Cons
⑦ Iams ProActive Health Senior with Slow Cooked Chicken and Rice Canned Dog Food
This dog food is especially designed for senior dogs and it includes slow cooked chicken along with rice, all combined with a lip smacking sauce. If you dog is 7 years of above, you can easily feed the pet with this food. It comes packed with omega 3 fatty acids that help to make the skin healthy and the coat shiny. It also contains all the essential vitamins and minerals that help to improve the overall health of your aging dog.
Pros Cons
Pros
Cons
⑧ Merrick Real Chicken and Sweet Potato Recipe Grain Free Senior Dry Dog Food
This dog food is made from chosen ingredients such as deboned chicken, sweet potatoes, blueberries, apples, and peas to name a few. It also contains a high level of chondroitin and glucosamine that help to deal with joint problems.
Pros Cons
Pros
Cons
⑨ CANIDAE Grain Free Pure Senior Real Chicken, Sweet Potato, and Garbanzo Bean Recipe Dry Dog Food
This senior dog food is made from a rather simple recipe that makes it highly useful for sensitive dogs. It is made with the help of just 9 primary ingredients. It does not contain any soy, wheat or corn and it tastes quite good.
Pros Cons
Pros
Cons
⑩ Nulo Freestyle Trout and Sweet Potato Recipe Grain Free Senior Dry Dog Food
This dry dog food is packed with all the essential nutrients that are needed for a senior dog. It contains high animal meat and is free from any type of grain that may cause allergies in some dogs. The product also has glucosamine and chondroitin that help to deal with joint and mobility issues.
Pros Cons
Pros
Cons
⑪ Wellness CORE Grain Free Senior Deboned Turkey Recipe Dry Dog Food
Every bite in this product comes packed with a high dose of good quality animal protein, as well as, superfoods that are rich in essential nutrients and various nutritional supplements. It is free from fillers such as soy, corn or wheat.
Pros Cons
Pros
Cons
⑫ Instinct by Nature’s Variety Raw Boost Senior Grain Free Recipe with Real Chicken Dry Dog Food
Designed for aging dogs, this is packed with high animal protein and various important nutrients. Contains real chicken for protein and DHA to support eye and brain health. It is made from the finest ingredients chosen from across the globe.
Pros Cons
Pros
Cons
Conclusion & What is the Best Senior Dog Food
Although all the products discussed above are of good quality, the best was the Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Senior Dry Dog Food (CHECK BEST PRICE HERE). It contains all the essential nutrients such as omega 3 and 6, chondroitin, glucosamine, and essential vitamins and minerals that are crucial for any aging dog. It is also free from grains such as wheat, corn, and soy.
Can Health Problems Affect The Normal Diet Of Aging Dogs?
The diet of a senior or elderly dog discussed above is strictly for a healthy and normal senior dog. However, if the dog suffers from any type of health ailment then you may have to give the animal a specialized diet in order to fulfil the nutrient needs of the health problem in question.
- Gum Disease: It is true that dry kibbles can assist in minimizing or preventing the development of periodontal disease. As you dog growl older, it automatically deteriorates the integrity of bones, teeth, and body tissues. As the tooth integrity also degrades, it may easily give rise to plaques and tartar development. As a result of this, various types of harmful micro-organisms, such as bacteria, can grow into the deeper structures of the teeth. It is true that there are no such diet that can effectively treat gum diseases in your dog. However, there are surely some types of diet that slow down the destruction process of the entire teeth structure. You are advised to give calcium rich food to your senior dog along with food that contain very low percentage of carbs. Calcium can give strength to the teeth and reduction in the intake of carbs will reduce the energy supply for germs in order to grow.
- Blindness: It is quite normal to expect visual changes as a person grows older. This is also true in terms of animals. However, it is important to remember that if your aging pet dog is already suffering from vision related issues, then it may be important for you to take the animal to the vet. Most of the time, your pet will be suggested a diet that will be rich in beta-carotene and docosahexaenoic acid or DHA. The latter is well-known for improving the nerve impulses that are normally transmitted across the eye structure. On the other hand, beta-carotene is also rather useful in enhancing the function of photoreceptors that are located inside the eye. However, no diet can fix complete blindness.
- Cancer: If your aging dog already suffers from cancer, it will naturally have an affected immune system. At the same time, if your dog is also undergoing a cancer therapy, it will result in most of their body tissues getting damaged. These need to be replaced soon. This is why, if your senior dog suffers from cancer, it will have to have a diet that is rich in protein and fat. The diet should be free from any type of grain. Protein helps in the tissue building process and fat is important to ensure a proper integrity of the newly developed tissues. The diet should be grain free in order to put less pressure on the affected immune system.
- Arthritis: It is a common sight for aging dogs to suffer from arthritis. It is normally characterized by immobility and inflammation of the affected joints. It is quite similar to the arthritis that is experienced by elderly humans. Painful and inflamed joints will naturally reduce the mobility of those affected sections of the body. If your aging dog also suffers from arthritis, you may give it a supplement of glucosamine and chondroitin. However, if these substances are already there in the dog’s body, then there is no need for any supplementation. You may give the dog ginger, alfalfa, celery, and papaya in its daily diet. These food ingredients have been proven to reduce the various symptoms of articular conditions.
- Diabetes: If your dog suffers from diabetes, it cannot be given insulin or any other oral hypoglycemic agents. However, a properly planned diet can play a major role in the development of diabetes. Glucose is characterized by an abnormal accumulation of glucose in the blood. This is why a canine specialized diabetic diet is mainly aimed at reducing the carb content of food. As a result of this, fewer carbs will get converted to glucose. At the same time, if the fiber content of the diet can be increased, it can easily deal with proper management of diabetes. Fiber comprises the major chunk of the food and it normally gets eliminated and not absorbed.
- Kidney Disease: Senior dogs can also suffer from kidney problems. If your mutt also suffers from kidney issues, then a proper designed renal diet will be highly beneficial. Such a diet will normally contain low amount of high quality protein, high proportion of moisture, and low amount of phosphorus. Since the kidney are badly affected in this case, providing a lot of byproducts in the form of protein will put extra pressure on the kidneys. This is also true in case of phosphorus. You may give your dog canned or wet food as these normally contain high portions of moisture.
- Dementia: This basically refers to forgetfulness. Just like humans, elderly dogs also suffer from dementia. In such matters, a properly formulated dog diet comprising of beta carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E, flavonoids, EPA, carotenoids, selenium, and DHA will be highly helpful. These ingredients help in improving canine cognitive functioning and memory.
