The Best Senior Dog Food in 2022

High-quality chicken protein and whole grains are the mainstays of this tasty kibble for older dogs which will get their taste-buds standing up and taking notice. Specifically formulated for senior pooches, you get a host of healthy goodies added to the mix, designed to help keep them energetic and active while supporting their immune system. 

As one of our best senior dog foods, this recipe contains a premium single source protein, boosted by brown rice, flaxseed, blueberries and selected vegetables. This combination gives a decent boost of the nutrients your pup needs to keep their joints flexible and healthy. And as a dog food for older dogs, it is not over-packed with calories, so a good choice if you are looking to manage your pooch’s weight. A well-priced, top quality dry dog food for senior dogs that matches taste with targeted nutritional support, Blue Buffalo Life Protection Formula is our review’s easy Best Choice.

If your old dog is getting a little lethargic and needs an energy boost, this easy to digest dry senior dog food from Hill’s Science is a powerhouse of nutrients to help them regain their zip. Using chicken as its protein base for building strong muscles, this dog food for older dogs is a carefully balanced recipe of quality wholefood carbs, fruits and vegetables to provide your furry friend with the healthy nutrition they need. 

Blended to support energy levels, you also get minerals and omegas for heart and kidney health as well as vitamins to boost your pup’s skin and coat, all without overloading them with unnecessary calories. And there are no artificial nasties or colors in this contender for best dog food for senior dogs, just natural flavors and all-round goodness to keep your pet satisfied and sprightly.

Here’s a detailed look at Hill’s Science Diet Dog Food.

With no fillers or bulking agents, Purina One SmartBlend for dogs aged 7+ is enhanced with botanical oils to nourish and support your older pooch’s physical and mental sharpness and wellbeing. High quality protein from chicken makes this dry dog food for older dogs delicious and easy on the digestion, while a satisfying crunch in the kibble helps to keep your pupper’s teeth and gums in tip-top condition. 

Fortified with essential vitamins and minerals, this is a heart and muscle-friendly recipe that also includes glucosamine for healthy joints, so your pooch can keep playing around as if they were still a pup. This dog food for senior dogs does contain whole grains and gluten though so it may not be right for pets with more serious allergies but as an all-round tasty meal, this is a well-balanced formula to help keep your dog happy, healthy and active. Read our in-depth Purina One Dog Food review here.

For a tasty protein combination that will spark up the discerning canine palate, Nutro Ultra offers chicken, lamb and salmon in this delicious senior dog food recipe. Specifically formulated for the senior dog, Nutro Ultra follows its ‘feed clean’ philosophy, using high-quality ingredients from carefully sourced suppliers. 

This means there are no GMO ingredients or artificial nasties – just nutritionally dense ingredients to help boost your dog’s health and vitality. Nutro Ultra Senior Dry Dog Food has a blend of 15 ‘superfoods’ including coconut, chia, kale and blueberries as well as whole brown rice and flaxseed, designed to support digestion, maintain healthy joints and bones, build lean muscle and keep the coat in tip-top condition. If you are looking for the best food for older dogs that may be a bit picky with their dry food, then Nutro Ultra could be the best temptation. For more information on the brand, check out our Nutro Dog Food Review.

As an all-round and well-balanced natural dog food for active senior dogs, Wellness Complete is hard to beat. With no wheat gluten, preservatives or by-products, Wellness is also a good senior dog food choice if your dog has a more sensitive tum or is prone to allergies.  Wellness use a quality single-source protein of de-boned chicken with tasty vegetables, including peas, carrots, spinach and sweet potatoes for a balanced carb and protein dish. 

The whole meal is also nutritionally balanced to provide the right vitamins, antioxidants and minerals, without adding the calories, making it a good choice if you need to satisfy your pet while maintaining their weight. The result is a tasty, dry dog food for older dogs that is easy to digest and is gentle on the stomach, while helping to maintain their muscle, heart, joints and overall condition.

For a full list of our favorite options, see our round-up of Wellness Core Dog Food.

If your elderly dog turns his nose up at dry food or is having trouble eating due to lack of appetite or dental problems, then these great value cans of wet senior dog food could well be the tasty solution. Packed with quality protein from beef and pork liver and boosted with a carefully balanced mix of rice and vegetables, the result is a delicious, stew-like meal that packs a tasty punch. 

This senior canned dog food is easy to chew and digest, so perfect for more sensitive dogs. Hill’s Science Diet Canned Wet Dog Food is also fortified with minerals and vitamins your older dog needs to help boost their energy as well as help protect their kidneys and heart health.

Grain-free and made from high-quality natural ingredients, Blue Buffalo’s Natural Senior Dry Dog Food is a good option for an allergic or digestive-sensitive older dog. With chicken as the main protein source and balanced with a wide selection of vegetables, flaxseed and wholefood carbs, your pooch will love the natural, meaty taste of this easy to eat senior dog food. 

And, as it is formulated for the silver pooch, it has some serious vitamin and minerals added to the mix. Glucosamine and chondroitin will support your fur baby’s joints and bones, while antioxidants and omega fatty acids will reduce inflammation and boost their immune system as well as their coat condition and overall health. And the no-grain formula of what we think is one of the best dog food for senior dogs is kind on their stomachs and will help maintain your elderly dog’s healthy weight.

For when your old pup needs a pick-me-up or something extra to tempt them to eat, this wet senior dog food from Wellness Complete is ideal. The all-natural, easy to chew and digest wet formula is both delicious and kind on the system, adding extra minerals and vitamins to help put a spring back into your pupper’s step. 

Chicken and fish are the core protein source to help build muscle and support energy levels. The recipe also has reduced calories with added fiber to keep your pet’s weight healthy and their digestion moving as it should. Add in whole grains, fruit and vegetables for a vitamin, antioxidant and mineral hit, and this senior canned dog food gives complete, balanced meal they will tuck into and enjoy.

As a half-way between standard and raw dog food, Instinct have come up with a tasty combination of grain-free kibble and freeze-dried raw chicken. The result is a top-quality raw-style dog food for senior dogs that is also enhanced with probiotics, vitamins and omegas. There are no artificial nasties, wheat, corn or soy so it’s gentle for pooches with digestive issues too.

Instinct Raw is also packed with health-boosting supplements, including glucosamine and chondroitin for joints, natural DHA for brain and eye health as well as calcium and phosphorous for strong teeth and bones. Instinct Raw Boost senior dog food is a good option for the active pooch. However, if your dog has health issues or has allergies, check with your vet first to make sure raw is the best way to go.

If your older dog has a sensitive tum or is vulnerable to allergies but you don’t want them to miss out on taste, then Nutro Ultra’s grain-free wet dog food has a delicious pate-like consistency that will help to turn their head. With a trio of protein – chicken, lamb and salmon – this is a tasty recipe that is also easy to eat and digest so also a good choice if their teeth are a problem or you are struggling with a dog that has a poor appetite. 

Rich in both nutrients and flavor, there’s also a nice balance of carbs, including carrots, apples, kale and spinach. The result is a wet-blend senior dog food that is packed with the essential vitamins your old pup needs, without any artificial additives or GMO products. In convenient, 3.5-ounce tins, this pate can also be added to a dry kibble for a crunchier mix.

Grain-free and packed with raw food protein, Orijen Senior Dog food comes in as our review’s Premium Pick. Yes, it’s pricy – around $90 for a 25-pound bag – but the ingredient list shouts nutritional quality. Created to nourish your older dog’s body and help to support lean muscle, this dry senior dog food is 38% protein from sources that will get your pet’s senior tail wagging. 

Free-range chicken and turkey, alongside flounder, Atlantic mackerel and herring, plus cage-free eggs, Orijen packs a powerful protein punch. And with two-thirds of the protein fresh or raw, the nutritional value is high, while carbs are limited.  Zero grain, this protein kibble is boosted by vegetables and fruits, such as pumpkin, squash, kelp, kale, rosehips and sunflower seeds. The aim is to supply your dog with a meat-rich diet that is appropriately balanced to specifically nourish and support the older canine. ORIJEN Senior Grain-Free Dry Dog Food is one of 7 dog food recipes included in our Orijen Dog Food Review.

For larger older dogs, the IAMS reputation comes good with this tasty and easy to digest kibble senior dog food. Made from ‘farm-raised’ chicken, and packed with wholesome grains, good fats and vegetables, there is a lot for your senior pooch to like about the Proactive health for mature adult dogs. 

The recipe is also packed with older dog health boosters too, including a DHA complex to help promote his mental alertness. There’s also healthy weight supporting L-Carnitine, fiber for healthy digestion as well as added vitamins, omegas and minerals. We also like the easy crunch of the kibble, which helps to reduce teeth plaque. Calorie-measured, this is a good choice for your older large dog when energy, nutrition and weight management are your concerns. Iams ProActive Health Mature Adult Dry Dog Food is one of 5 dog food recipes included in our review of Iams Dog Food.

Sometimes less is more, and this is the approach Canidae has taken to its Grain-free senior dog food. With less than 10 ingredients in each bag of dry dog food, their aim is to create a tasty meal that won’t irritate sensitive tums.

But this doesn’t mean the kibble loses any taste, with a mix of chicken, turkey, sweet potato and bean at the heart of the recipe. Add in vegetables such as peas, potatoes and alfalfa and you have a nicely balanced senior dog food in a crunchy kibble that won’t aggravate your pooch. To support your senior dog’s health and vitality, there’s also added vitamins and minerals, as well as antioxidants and omega fatty acids. And, with no added artificial nasties this is a good meal to feed your dog if skin allergies are a problem. Not the cheapest in our best senior dog food review, but worth the investment if your pup is a sensitive soul. If you want to find out more about their company, product lines, and recall history, read our review of Canidae Dog Food.

With avocados a great source of omegas, there is actually much more to AvoDerm senior dog food than just a glossy coat. This natural formula specifically for senior dog health boasts a targeted range of benefits to help your old pooch be at their best. With quality lamb and chicken as the core protein source, this grain and wheat-free dry food recipe packs a powerful, health- boosting punch. 

You get natural chondroitin, glucosamine and DHA from fish sources for joint and eye health and brain function. Then there’s the added avocado for all-round healthy coat and skin condition as well as the strong immune system. Plus, there’s added antioxidants and vitamins for more energy and bounce. With no harmful artificial preservatives, colors or flavors and a satisfying crunch, AvoDerm is also kind to the digestive system and works well if you are looking to manage your old buddy’s weight.