Best dog food for older dogs
Older dogs generally do better on food with fewer calories to match a slower metabolism, added support for joints, and ingredients that are gentle on a digestive system that can become more sensitive with age. There is no single age at which every dog needs to switch, and a senior food suits some dogs sooner than others depending on their size and health.
Why calorie content matters more as dogs age
Older dogs are typically less active than they were as adults, and their metabolism tends to slow down too, which means the same amount of food that kept them a healthy weight for years can start to add extra pounds. A senior food with a lower calorie density, fed at the right amount, helps manage that shift.
Carrying extra weight in later life makes joint problems and several other age-related conditions harder work for a dog's body, so keeping weight in a healthy range is one of the more practical things an owner can influence through food and portion control together.
Joint support
Many senior dog foods include ingredients aimed at supporting joints, since stiffness and reduced mobility become more common with age, particularly in larger breeds. This is a supportive addition to the diet rather than a treatment for an existing joint condition, which is a conversation for your vet.
A joint supplement alongside the main food is another option some owners use for an older dog, and it is worth discussing with your vet what is appropriate for your individual dog rather than choosing one off the shelf without that context.
Easier digestion and dental considerations
A senior dog's digestion can become more sensitive over time, and foods with a shorter ingredients list or a more easily digested protein source can help some older dogs who have started to show signs of a change in their stools or appetite.
Dental health also becomes more of a factor with age, and a kibble that suits a dog whose teeth are not what they were, or a food that can be softened slightly, is worth considering alongside regular dental care and a dental chew where your dog can manage one comfortably.
Choosing from the range below
The grid below includes food formulated for older dogs, alongside joint support and dental care products worth knowing about as part of a wider approach to your dog's later years, not just what is in the bowl.
If your dog has lost weight, seems less interested in food, or you have noticed any other change, that is worth mentioning to your vet before assuming a new food alone will fix it, since some changes in older dogs point to something that needs proper attention rather than a different diet.
What we stock
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Forthglade Soft Bite Grain Free Joints & Bones Treats
Grain-free salmon dog treats with salmon oil, glucosamine and chondroitin
£2.45
Forthglade Natural Dental Sticks 5pk
Forthglade Natural Dental Sticks 5pk: complementary dog chew with dried potato — 170G
£3.00
Forthglade Dental Calming Sticks
Dental chew sticks for dogs with added calming botanicals for evening routines
£2.99
Pooch & Mutt Salmon Oil
Scottish salmon oil for dogs, dosed by weight from toy breeds to giants
£13.99
Pedigree Dentastix Light Daily Dental Chews Dog
Pedigree DentaStix Light daily dental chews for medium and large dogs
£2.35
Pedigree Dentastix Light Dog
Pedigree DentaStix Light dental chews across small, medium and large sizes
From£2.35
Pedigree Dentastix Fresh Daily Dog Dental Treats
The daily dental stick people ask for by name, sized for small, medium or large dogs
From£2.35
Pedigree DentaStix Daily Dental Chews Small Dog
Daily Pedigree DentaStix dental chews for small dogs over the label age limit
£2.35
Pedigree DentaStix Daily Large Dog Dental Treats
Daily Pedigree DentaStix dental chews portioned for large dogs
£2.29
Dentalife Oral Care Dental Large Dog Chicken
Twelve DENTALIFE chicken dental chews for large dogs, with label facts
£4.35
Dentalife Oral Care Dental Chews Medium Dog Chicken
Fifteen daily dental sticks for medium dogs from 12kg to 25kg
£4.35
Dentalife Oral Care Dental Chew Small Dog Chicken
Twenty-one soft daily dental sticks for small dogs, sized to Purina’s 7 to 12kg guide
£4.35
Common questions
- At what age should I switch my dog to senior food?
- There is no fixed age that applies to every dog — larger breeds tend to be considered senior earlier than smaller breeds, often from around six or seven, while small breeds may not need the switch until closer to ten. Your vet can advise based on your dog's size, breed and health.
- Does senior dog food really help with joints?
- Many senior foods include ingredients intended to support joint health as a preventative measure, which can be a helpful part of an older dog's routine. It is a supportive addition rather than a treatment, and an existing joint problem is worth discussing with your vet directly.
- My older dog has lost interest in their food — what should I do?
- A reduced appetite in an older dog is worth mentioning to your vet rather than assuming it is simply age or pickiness, since it can sometimes point to a dental problem, an underlying health issue, or a food that no longer suits them.
- Is wet or dry food better for an older dog?
- It depends on the individual dog — wet food can be easier to eat for a dog with dental discomfort, while dry food suits dogs who manage it well and prefer the texture. Either can be a suitable choice as long as the food itself is formulated for a senior dog's needs.
Related
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.