20 Best Rated Senior Dog Foods

1. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Homestyle Senior Wet Recipe

One of the best dog foods for aging dogs, this food contains ingredients to support common senior dog concerns like joint health (glucosamine and chondroitin) and possibly digestion. According to reviews online, this food is a top-ten option for older dogs, especially those with dental problems or chewing issues.

This formula is miles away from artificial flavors and preservatives, appealing to dog owners who prefer preservative- and grain-free diets for their senior dogs.

Benefits:

• It may support joint health and mobility.
• It is more accessible to chew than dry food.
• It may promote healthy digestion.

2. Chicken Soup for the Soul Senior

Chicken Soup for the Soul Senior Wet Dog Food Classic Mature Paté is amongst the best-rated dog food for senior dogs. With a high protein content and moderate fat, this formula provides energy without being excessive.

Additionally, the grain-free recipe caters to owners who prefer grain-free diets for their senior companions. It also has no added artificial ingredients, which is its best selling point for owners who want a more natural diet for their pets. 

Benefits:

• It is easier to chew than dry food.
• It may appeal to picky senior eaters with its texture and potentially taste.

3. Nom Nom Beef Mash Fresh Dog Food

Wondering why Nom Nom Beef Mash is the best pet food for senior dogs? Senior dogs often need more protein to maintain muscle mass, and Nom Nom Beef Mash boasts 35% protein content. Also, its 17% fat content provides energy without being excessive, which is potentially beneficial for senior dogs with lower activity levels.

Moreover, this dog food is made with human-grade ingredients and formulated by a veterinary nutritionist, ensuring a potentially balanced and complete diet that meets senior dog needs.

Benefits:

• The high protein content can help senior dogs maintain muscle mass.
• It can provide the essential nutrients senior dogs need for overall health.
• This grain-free food might be easier for some senior dogs to digest.

4. The Farmer's Dog

Senior dog owners looking for a fresh food alternative might find Farmer's Dog Turkey Recipe appealing. This veterinarian-designed formula boasts human-grade ingredients and a high protein content, which is essential for retaining muscle mass at old age. Additionally, this good dog food for senior dogs has a balanced diet, including all the essential vitamins and minerals senior dogs need for overall health.

Besides, this fresh food typically has a higher moisture content than kibble. Thus, it is beneficial for senior dogs who may be prone to dehydration, as it encourages water intake and helps maintain hydration levels.

Benefits:

• These can support everything from immune function to healthy skin and coat.
• It has a higher moisture content.
• It is low in fat.

5. Iams Proactive Health Healthy Aging

Best dog food for aging dogs, Iams ProActive Health Mature Adult stands out as a potentially good choice for senior dogs, especially those who thrive on grain-inclusive diets. This established brand offers a classic senior formula with familiar ingredients, including real chicken as the main protein source.

The moderate protein and lower fat content cater to the needs of older dogs, who want to maintain their bodily functions without feeling heavy. Additionally, this food might be beneficial for senior dogs with lower activity levels or weight management concerns.

The inclusion of L-carnitine in the formula further supports weight management efforts.

Benefits:

• It can benefit joint health in older dogs. 
• It may promote gut health and potentially aid digestion.

6. Just Food For Dogs Joint & Skin Support

The Dog Food Advisor's rating of 4.5 stars suggests a generally positive review of the food's quality. This vet-recommended food for old dog recipe boasts fresh, human-grade ingredients, which might appeal to owners who prefer a more natural diet for their senior companions.

One of the key highlights is the presence of glucosamine and chondroitin, commonly used ingredients to support joint health and potentially alleviate discomfort associated with arthritis in senior dogs. Yes, similar to the above-mentioned ones, JustFoodForDogs Pantry Fresh Joint & Skin Support contains low fat and high protein.

All of these key factors make this product a contender for senior dog diets with both skin and joint concerns.

Benefits:

• This can promote healthy skin and a shiny coat.
• It might aid in joint health.

7. Earthborn Holistic Venture Limited Ingredient Duck Meal & Pumpkin

This best-rated senior dog food offers a low-calorie option for aging dogs, making it suitable for those needing weight management or with lower activity levels. This limited-ingredient recipe with duck as the single protein source can be a lifesaver for senior dogs with allergies or sensitivities to more common proteins like chicken or beef.

The food also boasts a blend of prebiotic fiber and three probiotic strains to promote gut health, potentially aiding digestion in senior dogs.

Benefits:

• Gut health support through prebiotics and probiotics.

8. Solid Gold Fit & Fabulous Weight Control with Alaskan Pollock

Does adding Alaskan Pollock make it the best elderly dog food for your pup? This fish protein is a good source of nutrients while being lower in fat compared to some other protein sources commonly used in dog food.

Plus, this caters to owners who prefer grain-free diets for their senior companions and may also be suitable for dogs with grain sensitivities. It also contains probiotics, which further support senior dogs' gut health and digestion.

Benefits:

• This recipe is designed to be low in fat.
• This fish protein is a good source of nutrients such as selenium and omega-3 fatty acids.

9. Ollie Chicken Dish With Carrots

Ollie Fresh Chicken with Carrots stands out as a potentially premium fresh dog food for mature dogs. Ollie tailors the recipe to your dog's age, weight, breed, and activity level, potentially addressing their specific nutritional needs and caters to owners who prefer a more natural diet for their senior companions.

Similarly, with chicken and carrots as the main ingredients, this recipe could be suitable for senior dogs with allergies or sensitivities.

Benefits:

• This might give some dog owners peace of mind regarding the nutritional adequacy of the food.

10. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Large Breed Healthy Weight with Chicken

Senior dog foods best suggested by vets, Blue Buffalo Wilderness Large Breed might be a good fit for your healthy, large senior dog. This adult maintenance diet offers a good protein level along with a moderate fat content for weight management. It also includes glucosamine, chondroitin, and omega-3 fatty acids, all of which contribute to joint health. 

However, depending on your dog's specific needs, the amount of joint support in this food might not be sufficient. So, discuss with your veterinarian if additional joint health supplements are necessary to ensure your senior companion's mobility and comfort.

Remember, a vet's guidance is crucial in determining the most suitable food option for your dog's health and activity level.

Benefits:

• It has glucosamine.
• Contains omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.

11. Diamond Naturals Senior Dog

Diamond Naturals offers food for mature dogs, particularly those needing joint and weight management support. It is also a budget-friendly option so you don't have to worry about breaking your bank.

It boasts an optimal balance of protein, fat, and micronutrients formulated for senior dog needs. Furthermore, the inclusion of glucosamine, chondroitin, and L-carnitine caters to joint health and weight control, respectively. 

However, before switching your senior dog's food, consult your veterinarian as every senior dog has unique needs, and your veterinarian can ensure this food aligns with your dog's health, activity level, and specific dietary requirements, particularly regarding carbohydrate content.

Benefits:

• It is affordable.
• It contains balanced nutrients.

12. Canidae Grain-Free Pure Senior Formula

Canidae Grain-Free Pure Senior steps forward as a promising option for senior dog diets, particularly those struggling with sensitive stomachs or allergies. It often uses chicken, but other formulas might have less common protein sources like turkey, duck, or salmon.

Benefits:

• These might be suitable for dogs with allergies to more typical proteins like beef.

13. Wellness Core Senior Dog Food

This formula is designed with weight management in mind, potentially helping older dogs stay at a healthy weight. It also boasts a balanced blend of nutrients to ensure they get everything they need to thrive. But is it so special about this product, I hear you ask? 

The inclusion of glucosamine, chondroitin, and omega-rich salmon oil can be a boon for senior dogs. These ingredients work together to support joint health and potentially alleviate discomfort associated with arthritis, a common concern in older companions.

Benefits:

• Joint health support.
• Balanced nutrition.

14. Raised Right Dog Food

Raised Right offers a potential option for senior dog diets, particularly those who are picky eaters or have specific dietary needs. Many of their recipes, like the Beef formula, are made with fresh meat as the main ingredient, offering a high protein content essential for senior dogs to maintain muscle mass.

Furthermore, these foods are made using human-grade ingredients, reaching owners who prefer a more natural diet for their fur babies.

Benefits:

• Wide recipe variety.
• High-quality ingredients.

15. We Feed Raw Turkey Patties

We Feed Raw Turkey Patties are packed with turkey, a delicious and nutritious protein source for your dog. The dry matter label analysis reveals an impressive 49% protein content, ideal for supporting your senior dog's muscle mass.

But that's not all! The recipe also boasts a balanced blend of fat (25%) and estimated carbs (18%), resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of around 52%.

Benefits:

• By providing ample protein, these patties can support your senior companion's strength and mobility.
• This product provides essential nutrients for your senior dog's overall health and energy levels. 

16. Nulo FreeStyle Grain Free Trout & Sweet Potato

Nulo FreeStyle's formula packs a punch with a unique blend of anti-aging ingredients, including L-carnitine, to potentially improve energy levels and aid in weight management. It boasts a high-quality protein content from various sources like fresh trout, turkey meal, and salmon meal, ensuring your senior companion gets the nutrients they need.

Additionally, joint health is a major concern for active senior dogs, and this product addresses the issue by including glucosamine and chondroitin, which can potentially alleviate discomfort associated with arthritis.

While the estimated carb content suggests the formula prioritizes sustained energy, consulting your veterinarian is recommended to confirm if this level aligns perfectly with your dog's specific needs.

Benefits:

• It contains high-quality protein.
• It improves energy and supports joint health.

17. Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets JM

Arthritis and joint pain are common problems for senior dogs, impacting their mobility and quality of life. Fortunately, prescription dog foods can offer targeted support for joint health.

This veterinary-exclusive formula prioritizes protein content to aid in maintaining muscle mass and also incorporates ingredients like brewer's rice and trout, which are often associated with joint health support.

Benefits:

• It is rich in omega-3 fatty acids and glucosamine. 

18. Open Farm Grain Free Turkey & Chicken

Open Farm Grain Free Turkey & Chicken emphasizes fresh, human-grade ingredients, making it a potential contender for senior dogs with allergies or sensitivities.

The grain-free recipe features turkey as the primary protein source, which can be beneficial for dogs with allergies to more common proteins.

Benefits:

• This formula boasts a high protein content.

19. Orijen Senior Dog Food

This formula boasts a mighty 43% protein content based on dry matter analysis, sourced primarily from fresh chicken, turkey, and fish. This focus on protein directly addresses the needs of senior dogs.

But that's not all! Orijen Senior also features a moderate fat content of 17% and lower estimated carbs of 32%, potentially providing sustained energy for your active senior companion.

Besides, they follow a biologically appropriate philosophy, prioritizing animal ingredients that mimic a dog's natural diet. This approach might particularly appeal to owners who prefer a natural way to nourish their senior dogs.

Benefits:

• It has a high protein content.
• It focuses on sustained energy.

20. Go! Carnivore Grain Free Chicken, Turkey & Duck Recipe

Looking for food to keep your active senior dog moving and thriving? Go! Carnivore enters the ring as a contender. While most senior dogs can consume this product, it is best for canines with active lifestyles.

This formula's high protein content comes from a variety of animal sources, including chicken, turkey, and duck, ensuring your senior dog gets the essential nutrients it needs to maintain muscle mass, which is crucial for mobility and overall well-being. 

Furthermore, this formula goes a step further by including prebiotics and probiotics, which work together to potentially support a healthy gut microbiome and digestion in senior dogs but which can become more delicate with age.

Benefits:

• It offers a grain-free option that minimizes the risk of digestive issues.