wet dog food for older 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.

11 Best Canned & Wet Dog Foods for Senior Dogs in 2024 Reviews & Top Picks

Senior dogs have unique dietary needs, just like humans. Depending on the size and breed of the dog, it may be considered senior after the age of five or seven. Each dog has unique nutritional needs according to its age, weight, activity level, and overall health, but generally, senior dog foods offer the nutrition aging dogs need to support their changing bodies and minds.

It can be difficult to choose the right senior dog food for your pet, however. Wet and canned food offers benefits over dry kibble, such as added moisture and a soft texture thats easier for older dogs to eat comfortably.

Weve compiled the best canned and wet dog food for senior dogs, based on reviews from real pet owners.

A Quick Glance at Our Favorites for 2024

The 11 Best Canned & Wet Dog Foods for Senior Dogs

1. Hills Science Diet Adult Dog Food Best Overall

Hills Science Diet Adult 7+ Chicken & Barley Entre Canned Dog Food is the best overall canned and wet dog food for senior dogs and offers balanced nutrition to promote healthy muscle mass and mobility in senior dogs. High-quality protein sources like chicken and pork liver help to maintain body weight and support the function of vital organs.

This food is canned with a minced texture and is ideal for adult dogs seven years old and older. Despite good reviews from pet owners with senior dogs, some reviewers had issues with quality control or commented that the food texture was too solid for their dogs to eat comfortably.

Pros

• Chicken as first ingredient
• Promotes muscle mass and vitality
• Supports immunity

Cons

• Solid texture, harder for dogs with dental issues

2. IAMS ProActive Health Canned Dog Food Best Value

IAMS ProActive Health Senior Canned Dog Food is the best canned and wet dog food for senior dogs for the money. The pate texture has slow-cooked chicken and rice thats appetizing to your dog, as well as omega fatty acids to promote a healthy coat and skin. Vitamins and minerals are added for balanced nutrition that supports your aging pets needs.

This food is designed for adult dogs seven years and older. It also has wholesome grains for healthy energy to keep your dog going into its golden years. Most reviewers saw good results with this food, but some mentioned that the food isnt calorie-dense, and you have to feed more of it. Others said their dogs didnt like it.

Pros

• Pate texture
• Meat as first ingredients
• Added vitamins and minerals

3. The Farmers Dog Personalized Wet Food Premium Choice

The Farmers Dog Personalized Wet Food Recipe is our premium choice option. The Farmers Dog provides customizable wet food recipes for your senior dog, allowing you to create the perfect meal plan for your pup. Various protein bases are available depending on your dogs needs, such as chicken, beef, pork, and turkey. Once you input your dogs information on The Farmers Dog website, they send you various recipes designed by veterinarians that best suit your dogs nutritional requirements.

The meals made by The Farmers Dog are crafted with minimal processing in USDA-quality kitchens. That means that the nutritional value of your dogs food will be higher quality than many other pet food brands on the market.

Since the meals are made fresh, they arent designed to be stored for prolonged periods. However, the benefits that the Farmers Dog can provide your dog far outweigh the storage concerns.

Pros

• Recipes are customized to suit your dogs needs
• The meal plans are designed by veterinarians
• Minimal processing
• Made in USDA-quality kitchens

Cons

• Not designed to be stored for prolonged periods

4. Purina Pro Plan Adult Wet Dog Food

Purina Pro Plan Adult 7+ Complete Essentials Turkey & Rice Entre Wet Dog food is designed to meet the nutritional needs of aging dogs. Real turkey is the first ingredient and offers a lot of high-quality protein to support a healthy body condition as your dog ages.

This food is made without soy or wheat with no artificial colors or flavors. Like other Purina foods, this wet dog food is manufactured in a Purina-owned US facility. Designed for dogs aged seven or older, this food also contains glucosamine and EPA, an omega fatty acid that supports joint health, and probiotics for healthy digestion. Some reviewers said their dogs didnt like the food, however.

Pros

• Our top vet-approved choice
• Turkey as first ingredient

Cons

• Adult 7+ only has two flavor options

5. Royal Canin Mature Adult Canned Dog Food

Royal Canin Mature Adult in Gel Canned Dog Food is designed specifically for the needs of aging dogs five years and older. This formula uses L-carnitine to help the body burn fat and plenty of protein to support muscle mass as your dog ages. The appetizing loaf-style food is in a rich sauce that whets appetites.

Fish oil, biotin, niacin, riboflavin, and other vitamins are added for skin and coat health, nervous system function, and overall health. Its complete and balanced, so it can be fed on its own or with a dry food. While many reviewers saw good results, others said their dogs didnt like the food or mentioned the hard, solid texture, which had to be chopped up to serve.

Pros

• Complete and balanced
• Plenty of nutrients

Cons

• Hard texture, some dog owners reported their dogs had a hard time chewing

6. Purina ONE SmartBlend Dog Food

Purina ONE SmartBlend Classic Ground Turkey & Barley Entre Adult Wet Dog Food is another good option for senior dog food. Real turkey is the first ingredient for high-quality protein that helps to preserve muscle mass in older dogs. It also contains medium-chain triglycerides for alertness and omega fatty acids for a healthy coat and skin.

Designed for older, picky eaters, the food has a savory poultry flavor with wholesome grains for energy support. Its made in the USA with antioxidants to help your aging pet. Many reviewers were pleased with this food, but some said it smelled strong and their dogs wouldnt eat it.

Pros

• Turkey as first ingredient
• Antioxidants for immune health

Cons

• Strong smell, may not be a good choice for small apartments

7. Blue Buffalo Senior Canned Dog Food

Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe Natural Senior Wet Dog Food offers a rich mix of chicken, vegetables, and grains to support your senior dogs health. This wet food has chunks of real meat to make it appetizing for picky eaters and is enhanced with vitamins and minerals like glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health.

The pate-style food contains no byproduct meals, wheat, soy, or artificial flavors or preservatives. It offers whole nutrition, so it can be fed on its own or as a topper for dry food. All Blue Buffalo food is manufactured in the US and uses trusted ingredient sources. Several reviewers complained of quality control issues, however.

Pros

• Chicken as first ingredient
• Added vitamins and minerals

8. Evangers Classic Recipes Senior Dog Food

Evangers Classic Recipes Senior & Weight Management Dinner Canned Dog Food is ideal for older or less active dogs. It features meat as the first ingredient and wholesome grain to support energy needs. The food also contains chelated trace minerals and vitamins for optimal health.

The meat-based formula has balanced nutrition, so it can be fed on its own or as a topper for dry food. There are no preservatives, salt, fillers, or soy added. While many reviewers were satisfied, others said their dogs wouldnt eat it or mentioned inconsistencies across ingredients that altered the look and texture of the food.

Pros

• Meat as first ingredient
• Whole grains
• No preservatives or filler

Cons

• Inconsistency with ingredients across batches

9. Wellness Senior Formula Canned Dog Food

Wellness Complete Health Chicken & Sweet Potato formula is ideal for aging dogs and contains premium protein and nutrient-rich vegetables. This food offers complete and balanced nutrition in an easy-to-eat pate-style wet formula to support muscle mass, digestive function, energy, and a healthy coat and skin.

This food is made without meat byproducts, fillers, or artificial preservatives. Its also free of wheat, soy, and peas. Many reviewers were pleased with the results for their dogs, but some complained about the inconvenience of having to open the can with a can opener. Some other reviewers said their dogs didnt like the food.

Pros

• Real meat as first ingredients
• No wheat, soy, or peas

Cons

• Must be opened with a can opener

10. Nutro Ultra Grain-Free Trio Senior Wet Dog Food

Nutro Ultra Grain-Free Trio Protein Chicken, Lamb & Whitefish Pate with Superfoods Senior Wet Dog Food uses real meat like chicken, lamb, and whitefish to support your dogs protein needs. It also contains high-quality ingredients like apples, blueberries, yam, and chia seeds.

This food has no chicken byproduct meal, GMOs, wheat, soy, grain, or artificial additives. You can feed it on its own or as a topper for dry food. Its high in calories for dogs that struggle to maintain weight. Many reviewers had good results with this food, especially with picky eaters, but some said their dogs wouldnt touch it. Be sure to check with your vet to see if grain-free is appropriate for your dog, since most dogs benefit from grains in their diets.

Pros

• Real meat as first ingredients
• No chicken byproduct meal, GMOs, wheat, or soy
• High in calories

11. Halo Holistic Chicken Recipe Canned Dog Food

Halo Holistic Chicken Recipe Senior Canned Dog Food is a great choice for your senior dog. It contains whole chicken meat as the first ingredient and sustainably sourced ingredients from non-GMO producers. The food contains plenty of protein, fiber, and nutrients to support your senior dogs health needs.

This formula has no artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. Its designed to support sensitive digestion in older dogs, ensuring maximum nutrient absorption. You can feed this balanced recipe on its own or as a topper for dry food. Reviewers had good experiences overall, though some mentioned that its expensive for the amount.

Pros

• Whole chicken as first ingredient
• No artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives
• Designed for sensitive stomachs

Cons

• Expensive, may be too much for multi-dog households

Buyers Guide: How to Select the Best Canned and Wet Food for Senior Dogs

Choosing the right food for your dog comes down to preference, but here are some things to consider:

• Protein: Protein is essential for all dogs, but its extremely important for aging dogs to maintain healthy muscle mass and strength. Look for animal sources of protein like chicken, beef, turkey, or fish.
• Digestibility: As your dog ages, it may not be able to absorb the nutrients it needs as easily. Some dog foods for senior dogs have added vitamins and minerals to ensure balanced nutrition, but you could also look for formulas designed for high digestibility.
• Texture: Older dogs may have lost teeth over time, making it more difficult to eat comfortably. A wet or canned food thats soft and easy to chew can ensure your dog doesnt struggle to eat all its food.
• Supplements: Supplemental ingredients arent a required part of your dogs diet, but they can help to support different health needs or fill in gaps in your dogs diet. Look for foods with added supplements like prebiotics and probiotics, medium-chain triglycerides, and omega fatty acids.

Conclusion

Senior dog food is a unique formula designed for the needs of aging pets. Our top pick is Hills Science Diet Adult 7+ Chicken & Barley Entre Canned Dog Food for its balanced nutrition. For value, choose IAMS ProActive Health Senior Canned Dog Food. The premium choice is The Farmers Dog Personalized Wet Food Subscription. Theres also Royal Canin Mature Adult in Gel Canned Dog Food is designed specifically for the needs of aging dogs five years and older.

Featured Image Credit: DegrooteStock, Shutterstock