Unlocking the secret to a happier and healthier aging journey for your beloved senior canine companions begins with choosing the right nutrition. As our furry friends gracefully age, their dietary needs evolve, requiring specialized care to support their overall well-being. In this comprehensive guide, we unveil the “5 Best Senior Dog Food” options that cater to the unique requirements of aging dogs. Join us on a journey to discover the perfect blend of nutrition that will not only tantalize their taste buds but also promote vitality, mobility, and longevity.
When dogs age the body changes and this should also mean the diet does too. You should arrange regular meetings with your vet to discuss dietary requirements and future plans for your dog’s health. Your vet should suggest starting with the food your dog eats before exercise etc. Looking into the senior dog food available is a great place to start and will help ensure your dog is entering its senior years healthier.
Switching to Senior Dog Food. Which Brands Do I Choose?
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Dogs hitting their senior years can depend on the size of the dog. Smaller breeds aren’t deemed to be ‘senior’ until they are at least 10 years old, whilst larger breeds such as St. Bernards will be considered to be senior dogs at the age of six or seven. This is due to the length of time dogs will live. This is due to the fact that larger breed dogs don’t live as long as smaller breeds. Studies have also revealed that your dog’s diet will also major impact how long your dog lives.
Depending on your dog size will help you decide when to have your initial discussions with your vet regarding your dog’s nutritional requirements. By visiting your vet early enough, you can then ensure your dog gets the full benefit of being on the right diet at the right time through its senior years. Throughout this post, we will discuss the senior dog food brands for your dog and which of the main factors you need to consider when choosing the senior dog food.
Benefits of the Senior Dog Food
Some of the senior dog food brands can be rated high based purely on customer and dog owner reviews but please remember that every dog will take to each food differently. Vet advice is also advisory when changing your dog’s diet in such a way.
What to Look For in Senior Dog Food?
Throughout our extensive research, it is known that senior dogs should live a longer life on low-calorie foods. As your dog ages, just like humans, the metabolism will slow, and if your dog remains on a high-calorie diet, it will gain weight much quicker. This can result in serious problems with your dog.
Ageing dogs are more prone to diseases such as Arthritis so your dog’s diet must be discussed immediately with a vet to ensure that you are providing the right calorie levels and not overfeeding your dog. Vets will also advise on the right foods and nutrition to give your dog. Furthermore, high fibre diets are highly suggested by vets due to the gastrointestinal health improvements they have. Although the senior dog food reviewed below is high in fibre and low calorie, this does not mean they are perfect for your dog, they are just the out there. You should still seek advice from a vet as to which brand is right for you. There are hundreds of different foods for dogs out there that are great for dogs such as grain-free dog food and homemade dog food.
5 Senior Dog Food for a Longer Healthier Life
1 Orijen Dog Food for Senior Dogs
Type: Grain-free
Price: £5 per 1kg
Content:
Fibre: 8.9%
Calories: 414 kcal per cup
This food contains some of the chicken and turkey as well as eggs, fish and many other great nutrients to provide your senior dog everything it needs. Everything about this dog food takes into consideration your senior dogs slower metabolism. In packages from as small as 240g all the way up to the large 11.4kg bags, the feedback is absolutely amazing. With no artificial preservatives used, owners and dogs like this product a lot due to the healthy-looking coat it provided your dog along with a resolution to skin problems and a great increase in dogs energy levels. For senior dogs, energy is difficult to get but this food provides the right level of nutrients to make your dog feel young again. Along with dogs looking and feeling fantastic, it has been noted that other medications have been reduced since using the Orijen dog food. These are the main reasons why we have ranked this number for the senior dog food. The price is a little steep in comparison to other brands however, once you have used this product you will be glad you paid the additional price. Reduction in vet visits meant this dog food is well worth the additional cost. Dogs of a more senior age start to become fussy with the foods they eat, making it very difficult to choose the right food for your dog. Orijen has made this food smells great and tastes even better than all dogs love.
Pros
- Ingredients include Chicken, Eggs, Fish, Fruit and Vegetables
- No Artificial Preservatives
- Skin Problems Quickly Cleared Up After Using This Food
- Improvements Made to Dogs Health
Cons
- Price is Much Higher than Other Brands
2 Wellness Complete Health
Type: Well-balanced
Price: $1.68/lb
Content:
Fiber: 5.6%
Calories: 416 kcal/cup
If you are looking for a delicate diet for your dog, look no further than the Wellness Complete Health Senior Dog Food. Made in the US, the ingredients are naturally sourced to provide amazing dog food that is nutrient-rich and full of amazing ingredients. These include chicken, brown rice, white fish, carrots and many other vegetables. Also included are extremely balanced levels of calcium and glucosamine to help keep bones strong. As senior dogs are fussy eaters, feeding them can be difficult but, as with the Orijen, this food is super tasty for dogs and there are no problems in getting them to feed. Wellness Complete Health dog food has also been known to show huge improvements in dogs health and conditioning which meant, for such a great price, this is definitely one of the senior dog foods. Due to the fantastic price of this amazing dog food, there are some production and shipping delays which can cause problems if you are keen to start using senior dog food. Customers who have used the product have commented on the improvements made in the dog’s overall health, including heart and skin conditions.
Pros
- Balanced Levels of Calcium
- Made in the USA
- Strengthens Bones and Joints in Senior Dogs
- Helps to Improve Body Mass
Cons
- Can be Delays in Shipping of Product
3 Hill’s Science Diet Adult 7+ Longevity
Type: Well-balanced
Price: £4.96 per kg
Content:
Fiber: 2.4%
Calories: 364 kcal/cup
Like humans, dogs become slower and lazier as they get older. This makes arthritis and other common illnesses become even worse. Hills Science Diet Dog Food has been created to really support and improve the quality of your dogs’ senior years. With a carefully formulated set of all-natural ingredients, this dog food is simple to digest and extremely tasty for your dog. They also guarantee that the food will provide all the nourishment your dog needs. Some owners have declared in their feedback that they have seen huge improvements in ageing dogs health. Other feedback also comments on the amazing quality of the product as well as the various size bags you can purchase.
Hill’s Science Diet Original Dry Dog Food for Adult dogs 7+ is a great food for even the pickiest of dogs. Providing a gentle and completeness to kidney function. Although this is advertised as ‘whole grain’ some consumers have found there to be corn in the ingredients which has caused allergies and stomach conditions to form. The majority of customers are happy with the product and their dogs LOVE IT!
Pros
- Made with All Natural Ingredients
- Contains Complete Nourishment
- Can Be Prepared in Two Styles
Cons
- Does Include Corn but this is NOT on the Label
4 Diamond Naturals Dry Food for Senior
Type: Well-balanced
Price: £6.60 per kg
Content:
Fiber: 4.4%
Calories: 318 kcal/cup
One of the biggest challenges facing us as dog owners are ensuring our elderly dog continues to have an active lifestyle with plenty of exercise and the proper diet and nutrition. Diamond Naturals is well-formulated to help maintain the most optimal health for any dog in its senior years. This fantastic dog food is chicken, eggs, fruits and vegetables and many other amazing ingredients. Also included are antioxidants and omega fatty acids to support healthy coats, this is alongside the standard vitamins and minerals.
Choosing the senior dog food is difficult as senior dogs are fussier about what foods they eat and their stomach’s easily become upset. Customers who bought the Diamond Naturals Dry Food for Senior Dogs also found that the price, in comparison to treatments for skin problems, is a lot cheaper and worked just as well. Healthier looking stool and beautiful looking coats make this a popular choice with professionals and the Diamond brand becomes something they have used for a long period of time.
Pros
- Contains High-Quality Ingredients
- Containts Anti Oxidants and Omega Fatty Acides for a Healthy Coat
- Helps Improve Gastrointestinal Problems
Cons
- Some Dogs Struggle to Switch to Any of the Senior Dog Food
5 CANIDAE Life Stages Dry Food
Type: Well-balanced
Price: $1.50/lb
Content:
Fiber: 4.4%
Calories: 342 kcal/cup
Canidae has provided one of the senior dog foods available, not just for senior dogs. This food is perfect for dog owners with more than one dog and/or dogs of many different ages. Canidae have made this product so practical. Anyone with more than one dog, puppy up to the senior dog, finds this the dry dog food money can buy. With optimum protein levels to help build your dogs muscles and strengthen elderly dogs too, you cannot go wrong. The good part of this senior dog food is the aid indigestion. It provides suitable omega-three and omega-six fatty acid levels which help keep your dog looking healthy. Owners who changed to Canidae noticed a significant improvement in their energy levels, making them spring chicken.
Some customers have reported their dogs to have started with a small case of mild constipation, which can be quite serious for senior dogs. Always make sure that you transition over in the correct way and seek advice from your vet where you are unsure. This will help avoid any unnecessary complications and ensure your dog can live a happy healthy final few years in their senior lives.
Pros
- Great For Dogs of All Ages
- Optimum Protein Levels
- Contains Pro Biotyics to help Digestion
- Contains Omega 3 and 6 for Healthier Coat
Cons
- Dogs Have Been Known to get Constipated when Changing Food
Embracing the Golden Years: The Final Bark of Wellness
As we bid farewell to this exploration into the “5 Best Senior Dog Food,” we’re reminded that our faithful companions deserve nothing but the best as they gracefully age. Choosing the right nutrition can make all the difference, enhancing their quality of life and ensuring they stay active and vibrant throughout their golden years. So, whether your senior pup prefers the rich flavors of tailored recipes or the nourishing goodness of specialized blends, investing in their health today paves the way for a tomorrow filled with tail wags, playfulness, and cherished moments. Cheers to the golden years – because every bark deserves a happy ending!
We wanted to make sure we provided enough information for all stages of a dog’s life throughout our research. From puppy up to your dog senior years, all types of great foods are available. It is suggested to ensure your dogs get the nutrients and proteins required. All these will ensure your dog lives a long and healthy life. Having a dog in the house should be treated as a family member. Would you eat food that’s not good for you? These foods are the amazing ones on the market. However, that is our views based on our research. Feel free to make your own decisions. Always remember to check the ingredients on any dog foods. Some dogs are allergic to certain ingredients and this is not something I can cater for. Every dog is different.
