Both wet and dry foods offer nutritious options for senior dogs. While some older pets who have had teeth extracted may prefer wet food, others prefer kibble — whether they still have their teeth or not. If your dog won't eat wet food but has trouble chewing, you can always soften their kibble with some water. Your veterinarian may recommend feeding a wet food diet if your dog has a medical condition or tends to get dehydrated easily. At what age should a dog be put on senior food? According to our experts, dogs are considered seniors at different ages based on their breed size. Giant breeds may be considered seniors as early as 5 years old, while toy breeds may reach their senior years closer to age 10. It's not unhealthy for an older dog to switch to a senior diet based on age. However, Freeman recommends taking your dog's overall health into account. Senior dogs in good health may not need a senior diet. Does senior dog food make a difference? Expert formulations: The dog food brands we recommend meet quality control standards. In other words, the brand employs a full-time board-certified veterinary nutritionist and potentially a PhD-level animal nutritionist, as recommended in the WSAVA guidelines. Because the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) doesn't set standards for senior pet foods, the diets can vary significantly, says Dr. Julie Churchill, a veterinary nutritionist and professor of nutrition at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. However, the best dry and wet food for senior dogs will meet the AAFCO nutritional standards for adult maintenance or all life stages. Senior pups also have a lower metabolic rate than younger dogs, so some senior diets may contain fewer calories. Others are higher in calories to meet the needs of older dogs who eat smaller portions. Foods with added protein to help maintain lean muscle may also have more calories. Feeding-trial tested versus formulated foods: The best senior dog foods have been formulated — and in some cases, feeding-trial tested — to meet the AAFCO's nutritional standards for adult maintenance or all life stages. If your dog's food has an AAFCO label, you'll know the recipe fulfills the recommended protein, fat, and nutrient requirements for adult dogs. A label indicating feeding trials confirms the food's safety and palatability based on testing with a group of dogs.

While you'll find wet food generally contains more fat per serving than dry food, it tends to have fewer calories per serving than kibble, and the water content can be more filling. When it comes to protein, the AAFCO recommends a minimum of 18% for adult dogs, but Luisana says senior dogs experiencing muscle loss may need more, and pups with renal or liver disease may need less. For this reason we've calculated the approximate 'as fed' percentages for the main ingredient categories in the finished product.These foods from Hill's, Wellness, and Blue Buffalo are formulated for senior dogs with sensitive stomachs. We've also had the chance to get input from our dogs by feeding them many different brands and types of food, some of which we included in this guide. Our experts say the following criteria are important to consider when shopping for senior dog food: To select foods for this guide, we spoke with two board-certified veterinary nutritionists and two small animal veterinarians. They helped us understand the unique dietary needs of senior dogs and what makes the best senior dog food.

Finding a food that your dog enjoys and knowing they will thrive on when they have a sensitive digestive system can be a challenge, but it isn’t impossible. Our wet food range has been formulated with the nutritional requirements of working dogs and dietary sensitivities in mind. Yes, the Skinner’s Field & Trial wet food range is grain free, as is the brand new Get Out & Go! range. is grain-free dog food just for dogs with sensitive stomachs? AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement for adult maintenance or all life stages: The AAFCO is a nonprofit organization that recommends nutritional profiles based on an animal's life stage. They don't approve pet foods or establish specific standards for senior dog foods. However, choosing a senior food formulated for adult maintenance or all life stages ensures the recipe fulfills the recommended protein, fat, and nutrient requirements of adult dogs. The best dog foods for senior pups will also contain beneficial extras such as glucosamine and chondroitin to support joint health and have fewer calories per serving than adult dog foods. Feeding large breed dogs food specifically formulated for their size is crucial to reduce the risk of orthopedic issues. These problems can arise as early as puppyhood and become even more prevalent in their senior years. That's why Luisana recommends senior pup parents take a proactive approach and monitor dogs for early signs of joint and bone diseases. While some changes in behavior, like decreased activity, may be attributed to aging, Luisana says not to overlook the possibility of underlying orthopedic issues such as arthritis. Giving less food can be a successful approach to weight loss, but there is the risk of not providing adequate nutrition," says Freeman. Alternatively, your veterinarian might suggest a specialized weight-loss diet formulated to meet your dog's nutritional requirements in fewer calories. Our recommendations for the best dog food for weight loss are formulated to keep your pup fuller for longer without sacrificing essential vitamins and nutrients.The best senior dog food provides tailored nutrition for aging pups. Your pup may benefit from foods for older dogs if they show signs of aging, such as decreased mobility, muscle loss, or cognitive decline. These foods often include beneficial additions like glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health, antioxidants to counter the effects of aging, and extra omega fatty acids to reduce inflammation.

If your senior dog has eaten kibble all their life and continues to enjoy it, you don't need to switch to wet food unless your vet recommends it. In fact, Luisana says some of her patients with no teeth still prefer kibble. However, she recommends feeding your dog a grain-inclusive senior diet, as long as they aren't sensitive to grains. Freeman says some evidence suggests grain-free dog food can increase the risk of specific types of irreversible heart damage in dogs — namely, canine cardiomyopathy (DCM), which leads to an enlarged heart. "Taking that into consideration, grain-free diets are not recommended for any dog," Freeman says. No, our entire grain free wet dog food range can be fed to dogs as a topper to any of our dry foods or as a complete meal on its own. Does Skinner’s use mixed protiens in their recipes?

While the 'mixing bowl' composition is useful for knowing what went into the food, it doesn't always reflect what your dog is actually eating. This is because the processes that turn the ingredients into the finished pet food can significantly alter the relative weights of the ingredients.