best dog food for senior 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.
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.
The 10 Best Senior Dog Foods in 2024
Seeing our dogs slow down as they grow old isnt easy, which is why we want to provide them with the best of everything, including food, to help keep them as happy and healthy as possible. Sometimes, a balanced diet can have positive effects on our dogs health.
Therefore, weve compiled a list of tried-and-true senior dog foods to help you find the best diet for your senior puppy. Theres also a guide that contains tips for feeding senior dogs, including those with sensitive mouths or missing teeth.
But before we get into all that, lets talk about how to go about choosing the right option for your furbaby.
What to Consider When Choosing Dog Food
Theres probably nothing more confusing than trying to pick dog food. Knowing that what we choose could directly impact our pets wellbeing can be somewhat overwhelming, and there are countless products to choose from. By considering the following factors while shopping, you may be able to take some of the stress out of the experience.
AAFCO Statement
The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) is an authority on pet nutrition. It researches dog nutrition, and publishes guidelines for pet food manufacturers to follow to ensure their food is balanced and provides all the essential nutrients dogs need.
Whenever youre shopping for dog food, you should always check the label to see if it has an AAFCO statement. The statement is typically located under the guaranteed analysis. All of the foods on our list follow AAFCO guidelines.
Calories
Because old dogs tend to be less active, the caloric content of their food is more important. Even among dog foods marketed to seniors, there will be differences in calorie content. If your dog is prone to gaining weight, then you will want to choose a food lower in calories. If your dog is still relatively active despite her age, then its okay to choose a formula with a higher calorie content.
Ingredients
The ingredient list is often the first thing people look at when shopping for dog food. However, unless you are a veterinary nutritionist, it probably isnt going to tell you all that much about whether or not the food is good for your dog. In fact, veterinary nutritionists feel that dog owners should stop relying so heavily on the ingredient list.
Instead, we should be using the ingredient list to make sure that the food doesnt contain any ingredients we know our dogs are allergic to. It can also be good to avoid ambiguous ingredients like poultry by-product meal, especially for dogs that have sensitive stomachs.
This is because you have no way of knowing exactly which types of poultry are being used. While poultry by-product meal is not harmful for your dog, should an allergy or intolerance occur, it would be harder to sort out when you dont know what types of poultry are in her food.
When it comes to senior dog foods specifically, it is beneficial to look for ingredients such as glucosamine and chondroitin. These are supplements that support joint health by reducing pain and inflammation. Less pain often leads to increased mobility. Some dogs may still require additional supplementation, but these ingredients are definitely a good addition to a senior dog food.
Palatability
The term palatability refers to how satisfying a food is in terms of flavor. Considering our dogs have to eat the same thing every day, its important that they enjoy their food. Other factors such as shape, size, or texture can also affect how a dog responds to a food.
Health
Our dogs health is our number one priority, and nutrition is a big part of their well-being. If a food is good for your dog, youll often be able to see it physically. Her coat will be smooth and shiny, and she shouldnt have dry, itchy skin. Stools should be firm and regular the right diet will not cause diarrhea or constipation.
Its common for old dogs to lay around the house, but sometimes a good food can help give them some extra pep in their step. If your dog seems unusually lethargic, then it may be time to try a different diet.
Now that you know what to look for in senior dog food, lets check out the best options available in 2024.
Senior Dog Feeding 101: A Guide to Feeding Your Older Pup
Now that youve got a wonderful selection of dog food to choose from, wed like to share some helpful tips about online shopping and feeding your senior dog.
A Note on Buying Dog Food Online
Shopping online is incredibly convenient. In a couple of clicks, you can have your dog food purchased and itll come directly to your door. With how busy life can be, theres often nothing more valuable than saving time. However, online shopping isnt without flaws.
Get a Refund or Replacement for Bags That Arrive Damaged
When it comes to dog food, one of the main issues is that packages are sometimes damaged during shipping. If you ever receive a bag of dog food that is ripped open, you should reach out to the company for a refund.
Once dog food is exposed to air, it loses freshness and will eventually go bad. While the tear hopefully would have happened during transit (because why would an employee think it smart to pack you a ripped bag of food?) you truly have no way of knowing. Do yourself and your dog a favor and get a replacement.
Watch for Expired or Counterfeit Products
On Amazon, in particular, there are a number of curious reviews that describe packages of dog food containing kibble that look different than what they are used to. Sometimes the color or shape of the kibble is different.
If this happens to you, find out if the manufacturer changed their formula in any way (many of them can be called directly). If not, you may want to consider discarding the food and asking for a replacement.
This is because there is a chance that the food is either counterfeit or expired. People who have detailed these strange instances of abnormalities also relay that the unusual kibble caused sickness in their dogs. It certainly is not worth taking chances.
Make sure you always buy dog food on Amazon from the brand that manufactures it rather than from third party sellers.
Tips for Missing Teeth (and Picky Eaters)
Whether it happened due to accidents earlier in life, bad dental hygiene, or genetics (some dogs are prone to having dental issues), its common for senior dogs to have missing teeth. This is especially true for small breeds. Unfortunately, this can make it tough for old dogs to eat their food, so wed like to share some tips on how to make it easier for them.
Choose a Food With Small Kibble
Sometimes, all it takes for your dog to be able to eat comfortably is appropriately-sized kibble. Food that has small, thin pieces of kibble is easier to eat than those with larger, thicker pieces.
Diamond Naturals Senior and Nutro Wholesome Essentials both fit the bill. They have Cheerio-shaped kibbles that are small and thin. In fact, its likely that dogs can safely swallow them whole!
Add Water
Let your pups food sit in warm water until it gets mushy. This makes it easier to eat and some picky dogs actually like their food better this way, even if it seems disgusting to us. Another added benefit is that your dog will be getting more water in her diet, which is great if she isnt drinking as much as you think she should be.
Add Broth
This trick is basically the same as the previous, except tastier. The broth will make the food mushy and also add some extra flavor to your dogs meal. This is a great option for picky eaters with sensitive mouths.
Be careful with the broth you use, though. Many store-bought broths contain ingredients, like onions, that are unsafe for dogs, and they also tend to be very high in sodium. Look for a low-sodium broth with limited ingredients or one that is manufactured specifically for dogs.
How to Make Your Own Broth
Its also super easy to make your own broth at home. All you have to do is simmer some chicken for a few hours until the meat is tender and falling off the bone. Discard the skin and the bones, and you can use the chicken as a topper on your dogs meals (or eat it yourself).
Let the broth cool and skim any fat off the top. Store and freeze whatever you arent going to use within a week. Now you have homemade broth for your dogs food! Its easy to make and your dog will absolutely love it. This method is very simple, but you can always get more creative and add dog-safe vegetables like carrots to your broth.
How Much Should You Feed Your Senior Dog?
Determining how much to feed your dog is more of an art than a science. Just like us humans, every dog is different. Even dogs from the same litter may end up eating different amounts based on their lifestyles and health.
So where should you start? There are a couple ways to determine how much to feed your senior dog.
Follow the Guidelines on Dog Food Packaging
The first and simplest method is to look at the chart on your dogs food. Itll usually list recommendations for how much to feed your dog based on weight. Follow these guidelines and keep track of your dogs weight so you can adjust her portion as needed.
Calculate Your Dogs Daily Calorie Requirements
The second method is to calculate the number of calories your dog needs based on her lifestyle. The Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center describes exactly how to do this on their website, but well give you the rundown here.
Step 1: Calculate Your Dogs Resting Energy Requirement (RER)
Convert your dogs weight to kilograms, raise it to the power, and multiply by 70. So for instance, a 55 lb dog is roughly 25 kg.
Step 2: Multiply by a Corresponding Factor
Next, youll multiply by another number that corresponds to your dogs age, energy level, or needs (such as weight loss) to determine your dogs daily calorie requirements. Weve created a shortened version of the table provided on the OSUs website as theirs includes measurements for puppies, which is not necessary for our purposes.
| Neutered adult | RER 1.6 |
| Intact adult | RER 1.8 |
| Inactive/obese prone | RER 1.2-1.4 |
| Weight loss | RER for ideal weight 1.0 |
| Weight gain | RER for ideal weight 1.2-1.8 |
Now, lets take our RER (783) and multiple it by 1.2, since most old dogs can be considered inactive.
As you can see, a 55 lb senior dog should be getting about 940 calories per day. Most senior dog foods are around 350 calories per cup, so thats a little under 3 cups per day.
While this method can be more accurate than the guidelines on a bag of dog food, youll still need to monitor your dog and adjust portions accordingly if you see any unwanted weight loss or weight gain.
Step 3: Dont Forget to Factor in Treats!
Because older dogs are less active, they already have a higher risk of weight gain. When people feed their dogs, they often forget to factor treats and table scraps into their dogs daily calorie limit.
Check the labels on the treats you have in your cupboard to see how many calories are in them. Think about how many treats you tend to give your dog per day and reduce your dogs kibble serving based on that.
A treat jar can also be helpful, especially in households with kids who dont understand the importance of moderation. You can fill it up with the amount of treats you feel is appropriate for your dog to be having every day. Once the treat jar is empty, thats it! This can be very helpful for keeping your dog at a healthy weight and preventing yourself or others from giving too many handouts.
Final Thoughts
Even when our dogs are older, theyll always be puppies in our eyes. We want their remaining time to be filled with happiness, love, and good health.
While it is common for old dogs to suffer from certain health issues like arthritis, we can help them out by providing a balanced, nutritional diet. Youll know youve made the right choice if your dogs kibble leaves her with a shiny coat, healthy stool, and maybe even some extra energy.
