What is the healthiest food for senior dogs?

As our dogs get older, there are a lot more factors that we need to be mindful of when thinking about their health and wellbeing – and crucial to this is what we feed them. There are now many options of senior dog food available with recipes that have been specifically tailored to support ageing dogs who may be less active and need more support.

What’s the difference between senior dog food and regular dog food?

A dog is typically considered ‘senior’ when they reach seven years – though this can depend on the age and size of the dog. As your dog enters this older age, they typically become less active, often suffering with joint problems and a slowing metabolism. As a result, they require less calories.

Because of this, senior dog food tends to be formulated differently than regular dog food:

• Lighter recipes: Senior dog food tends to be lighter in calories to help them maintain a healthy weight, often with reduced protein count
• Added supplements: Our senior dog food recipes, for example, contain higher levels of chondroitin and glucosamine which help support joint and bone health in ageing dogs.
• Added vitamins & minerals: You may find some senior dog recipes, such as our senior wet food, has added Salmon Oil – a source of Omega 3 – which helps maintain cognitive function
• Easier to digest: Senior recipes tend to have added fibre – such as prebiotic chicory root extract in our recipes – which help older dogs more easily digest their food.

Do older dogs need vitamins and supplements?

Hopefully you’ll find that your dog can get everything that they need from their food and so additional vitamins and supplements won’t be necessary. However, if you have any particular concerns for your older dog, it’s best to speak to a vet who may advise some additional vitamins or supplements to take alongside their food.

Best foods for mature dogs

Best senior dry dog food

If your dog has preferred dry dog food all their life, there are senior dry dog food options available that you can transition them to. Our Cold Pressed dry food recipes come in four different tasty flavour options and are particularly good for older dogs. With added vitamins and minerals – including Salmon Oil – our Cold Pressed dry food will provide a healthy, balanced meal for your older dog. Because of the gentle cold pressing technique used to cook the pellets, you’ll also find the dry food to be much more easier for senior dogs to digest, while also supporting their gut health. If your older dog is struggling to chew, you can soak the cold pressed pellets in water to soften them and make them even easier to consume.

Best senior wet dog food

Many owners choose to feed their older dogs wet food as it is more easier for them to consume, and may opt for senior wet dog food that has been specifically tailored for the older years of a dog’s life. Our grain free wet food recipes are specifically tailored for older dogs. They are lighter in calories – with only 60% single source protein – and include vegetables such as butternut squash and carrots for a balanced, nutritional meal. We also add Salmon Oil, chondroitin and glucosamine to support cognitive, joint and bone health. Hypoallergenic and grain free, these recipes – such as our Lamb & Turkey Senior Variety Pack – will be really easy for your dog to consume and digest too.

Best senior dog food for sensitive stomach

If you’ve got an older dog with a sensitive stomach, consider feeding recipes that are grain free and hypoallergenic. Our senior wet dog food and our senior dry dog food ranges are both tailored for older dogs and contain recipes that are both grain free and hypoallergenic. We also make sure that our recipes are free from any junk or fillers, which means that the food will suit even the most sensitive of tummies.

Best senior dog treats

Because senior dogs tend to be less active, you should be more mindful of how often treats and what type of treats are given. In our range of senior dog treats you’ll find our range of Functional Soft Bite treats which come packed with health and wellbeing benefits for your dog. Our Joints & Bones Soft Bites, for example, are grain-free and contain Salmon Oil, glucosamine & chondroitin – all of which aids joint and bone care. Our Digestive Health Soft Bites are a great treat for senior dogs after meal times, containing ginger, parsley and chicory which can help support good digestion.

What age should you switch to senior dog food?

There is no straightforward answer here as all dogs are different. Factors such as breed, size and lifestyle can all impact the point at which you may need to transition to senior dog food. Larger dogs, for instance, tend to have shorter lives and age at a faster rate than smaller dogs – while different breeds also have their own lifespan. It’s best that you keep an eye on their weight, activity levels and continue with regular trips to the vet as they will also be able to advise you on when to start feeding senior dog food.

If you believe your dog is ready to transition to senior recipes, take a look through and shop our natural senior dog food recipes today.