The Best Senior Dog Foods in 2024
When you have a senior pup, you want to do everything you can to keep them healthy and help them live a long life. Choosing the right food for your dog to ensure they get all the nutrients they need is important.
It’s a bad idea to keep feeding an old dog the type of food they used to eat earlier in life. Senior foods have different formulations designed specifically for our aging best friend. On this page, we have assembled the seven best options on the market this year. Let’s check them out!
Our Top 7 List
Last update on 2024-09-14 at 15:08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
1. Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Senior Food
Blue Buffalo’s Senior Dog Food is a high-quality and delicious option to consider. This product is made using real chicken, as well as delicious grains, fruits, and vegetables. Glucosamine and chondroitin are also added into this blend to help older dogs maintain their mobility and support their joint health.
Another added element found in this blend is Blue Buffalo’s LifeSource Bits. The bits contain a blend of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants which are designed to support a dog’s immune system and provide an oxidative balance.
No animal by-products, corn wheat, soy, preservatives, or artificial flavors are added to this product. This option can be purchased in a 6-, 15-, of 30-pound bag. Blue Buffalo recommends feeding smaller breeds once a day and medium breeds twice a day. Specific serving sizes are listed on the bag based on a dog’s weight and activity level.
Takeaways
- This option is made using real chicken, fruits, vegetables, and grains.
- To support joint health, glucosamine and chondroitin have been added to this product.
- The LifeSource Bits mixed in with the blend have vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
- There is no wheat, soy, corn, artificial flavors, or preservatives in this option.
2. Nutro Ultra
If your dog enjoys the tastes of a variety of meats, consider the Nutro Ultra Dry Dog Food. This senior blend is made with a delicious trio of proteins. It contains chicken, lamb, and salmon.
In addition to the high-quality meats found in this option, it also contains a delicious and nutritious blend of 15 superfoods. Some of these superfoods include blueberries, kale, coconut, and chia. The ingredients in this option are designed to provide senior dogs with balanced nutrition that they’re sure to enjoy.
No harmful chicken by-product meal, artificial flavors, artificial colors, preservatives, corn, wheat, or soy is included in this blend. This option is available in both a 15-pound and 30-pound bag. The serving size ranges from 1 ¼ cups each day to 3 2/3 cups depending on a dog’s weight.
Takeaways
- Three meats (chicken, lamb, and salmon) are included in this blend.
- 15 superfoods have been added to hep keep old dogs healthy.
- No chicken by-product meal, artificial colors, or preservatives have been added.
- There is no soy, wheat, or corn in this option.
- It can be purchased in a 15- or 30-pound bag.
3. Diamond Naturals Senior Formula
Another great option to consider for your senior pal is this formula by Diamond Naturals. Diamond Naturals prides themselves in the quality of the ingredients that are found in their foods. This option is made using a blend of chicken, egg, and oatmeal.
Superfoods have been added to the blend to support a dog’s health and ensure they receive the nutrients they need. Probiotics and fiber are also included to help support senior dogs’ digestive systems.
In this blend, Diamond Naturals also has added glucosamine and chondroitin to help keep the joints of aging dogs supported. This product is made in The United States to ensure higher standards of production are met. No soy is found in this option.
Takeaways
- This option is made from a blend of chicken, egg, and oatmeal.
- To help provide valuable nutrients, a variety of superfoods have been added to this product.
- Probiotics and fiber are added to help dogs’ digestive systems.
- Glucosamine and chondroitin offer support for a dog’s joints.
- There is no soy in this option.
4. Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe Senior
This one is great if you are looking for a wet food. This is a pâté option made with real chicken to provide your dog with protein for their muscles. You can choose to use this product as the only meal you give your dog, or you can add it as a topper for their dry food to make them more interested and willing to eat it.
Only natural ingredients are included in this pâté. Blue Buffalo has added vitamins and minerals to this option that are designed to contribute to the overall health and well-being of senior dogs. No artificial flavors, preservatives, chicken by-product meals, wheat, soy, or corn is found in this option. This option is sold in a case of 12 cans. Each can holds 12.5 ounces.
Takeaways
- This is a tasty pâté for dogs to enjoy.
- It is made using real chicken.
- You can use this option as a meal or add it as a topper over dry kibble.
- No artificial ingredients or flavors were used to make this product.
5. Wellness Complete Health Natural
The Chicken and Barley senior recipe from Wellness Complete Health is sure to be a fast favorite of your senior pup. This is a healthy weight formula designed to help senior dogs achieve or stay at a healthy weight. Because of this, there are fewer calories in this option than other senior blends.
Flavorsome deboned chicken and peas are included in this formula. It also includes superfoods like blueberries, spinach, and flaxseed. No corn, soy, wheat, artificial flavors, artificial colors, preservatives or meat by-products have been added to the blend.
Takeaways
- This option can help keep your dog at a healthy weight.
- It has fewer calories than other options.
- The formula includes chicken, peas, blueberries, flaxseed, and chicken.
- No artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives are added to this option.
6. AvoDerm Advanced Senior Health
AvoDerm’s Senior Dog Food is designed to support an aging pup’s joints, eyes, and brain. This option includes chondroitin, glucosamine, and Dha to support your dog.
This is a grain-free kibble with a lamb and chicken flavor. It is also a high protein option since protein is an important aspect of a senior dog’s diet. Avocados are also found in the blend because of their ability to support shiny and healthy coats and skin. There are no artificial colors, preservatives, or flavors in this product.
Takeaways
- The chondroitin, glucosamine, and Dha found in this blend support a dog’s joints, brain, and eyes.
- This is a grain-free option.
- It contains lamb and chicken.
- To support a dog’s skin and coat, avocados have been added to this option.
7. Canidae All Life Stages
Finally, you may also want to consider Canidae’s All Life Stages Dog Food. This is a good option to consider if you have dogs of different ages in your home. This formula is designed to meet the nutritional needs of senior dogs, as well as younger pups.
This less active formula has 27% less fat and 10% less protein than Canidae’s Multi-Protein formula, making it a good choice for less active dogs. Probiotics are included in this blend to help aid in digestion. Antioxidants, omega 6, and omega 3 fatty acids have also been included to support a dog’s immune system and improve their skin and coat.
No wheat, corn, or soy is included in this formula. This product is made in a Texas facility using whole-food recipes.
Takeaways
- You can use this blend with dogs of all ages.
- This option has 10% less protein and 27% less fat than the Multi-Protein formula, making is a good choice for less active dogs.
- Probiotics, antioxidants, and omega 6 and 3 fatty acids are incorporated into the blend to support a dog’s digestive system, immune system, skin, and coat.
- No corn, soy, or wheat is found in this option.
Verdict & Review
Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula Senior Dog Food
Pros
- Chicken, fruits, veggies, and grains
- Supports joints
- Contains glucosamine and chondroitin
- Contains vitamins, minerals, antioxidants
- No wheat, soy, corn, or artificial flavors
Cons
- None, unless your dog doesn't happen to like it.
While all seven of the senior foods we reviewed above are great options to consider, Blue Buffalo is our top pick. This food is made using high-quality ingredients that offer the nutrients older dogs require.
It is formulated using a mix of grains, fruits, vegetables, and, of course, delicious chicken. Blue Buffalo also added glucosamine and chondroitin to support the joints of aging pups. Additionally, the LifeSource Bits provide dogs with a healthy blend of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to help keep their immune system healthy.
In addition to all the beneficial ingredients, there are no negative ingredients you’ll need to worry about with this option. It does not contain wheat, soy, corn, artificial flavors, preservatives, or animal by-products. This option can help keep a senior pup well-nourished.
Buying Guide
Choosing the best food for a senior dog is no easy task. You want to be sure to select the best product to keep your dog well-nourished as well as providing them with added vitamins and minerals to support their aging body. We’ve highlighted a few features you may want to consider as you are comparing the different options that are available.
Main Ingredients
One of the first things you should look for when choosing a food for your dog is the main ingredients. Look for high-quality and tasty ingredients.
It is also important to select a high-protein option, especially when looking for senior dogs. Protein is essential for older dogs since it supports tissue building in their bodies and helps them replace tissue that has become damaged with age.
Look for a product that you think your dog is going to enjoy. If there are certain types of meats they seem to prefer, you may want to find a product made with those meats to encourage them to eat it.
Added Nutrients and Vitamins
When you are looking for a senior dog food, you want to look for other added vitamins and nutrients to help support your dog as he or she continues to age. Glucosamine and chondroitin are found in many products. These are good ingredients to look for since they help support a dog’s joints and help prevent or lessen the effects of things like arthritis.
You may also want to look for ingredients such as probiotics and fiber. These can help make it easier for a dog to fully digest their kibble and help avoid other issues with the digestive system.
Finally, look for added superfoods. Superfoods present a variety of benefits to dogs, as well as humans, including decreasing the risk of heart disease, keeping the immune system healthy, and helping keep your dog’s coat healthy and shiny. Some superfoods you may see included in different options include blueberries, carrots, quinoa, broccoli, kale, chia, and eggs.
Avoid Artificial Ingredients
Just as you want to choose options that are made using wholesome, high-quality ingredients, you also want to avoid any added artificial ingredients. These may include artificial flavors, artificial colors, or artificial preservatives. As you can probably guess, if it is artificial, it is not a healthy option for your pup.
Available Sizes
You may also want to consider the different sized bags that are available to purchase. If you’re trying a new kibble for the first time with your dog, you may not want to choose a huge bag in case he doesn’t like it. If possible, try to start with a smaller bag until you’re confident that your dog is willing to eat the new kibble you selected.
Serving Size/Cost Per Serving
Another factor to consider is the cost per each serving. Look at the total price of the bag as well as how many cups your dog should get based on her weight. Determine about how many servings each bag holds based on what your dog should be eating.
Since every dog requires a different amount, the number of servings in each bag varies for different breeds.
Consult with Your Dog’s Veterinarian
Finally, before making a switch to a new kibble, it is always a good idea to talk to your dog’s vet. Share the products you are considering and let your veterinarian weigh in with which option they feel is the best choice for your dog’s specific needs. This can help you ensure that you are selecting a product that fulfills the precise nutritional requirements /of your dog.
FAQ
How do I transition my dog to a new food?
When switching to a new food for your dog, it is important to make the transition very gradually. If you switch too quickly, your dog may experience digestive issues such as vomiting, diarrhea, or gas.
You should plan of taking between 7 and 10 days to make the switch to a new food. The first day, the majority of the meal should be your dog’s old kibble with a little of the new kibble mixed in. Over the week to 10-day period, slowly start adding more of the new kibble and reducing the amount of the old kibble. By the last day, your dog should be getting only the new food.
We are the Pet Dog Pals, a group of avid pet owners, bloggers, product testers, and writers for all your canine needs! We own a collective 16 dogs and 21 cats to help us test and review pet products. Our top lists and tips come from experience to help you be the best dog owner you can be!