Best dry dog food for older dogs
A good dry food for an older dog usually means fewer calories to match a slower pace of life, joint-supporting ingredients, and a kibble that is easy to chew — not automatically less protein. Healthy senior dogs generally still need a good level of protein; reduced protein is only relevant for specific medical conditions your vet would identify.
Why senior food is not just 'less of everything'
Most older dogs are less active than they were as adults, so a senior recipe is typically lower in calories per gram to help avoid gradual weight gain on the same portion size. That is different from cutting protein, which healthy older dogs generally still need at a reasonable level to maintain muscle mass as they age.
The idea that all senior dogs should eat a low-protein diet is a persistent myth. Reduced protein is a specific dietary change for conditions like chronic kidney disease, and that decision should come from your vet based on your individual dog rather than a blanket rule for age alone.
Joint support is worth looking for
Many senior dog foods include added glucosamine and chondroitin, ingredients commonly included to support joint comfort in dogs whose joints have had years of wear. If your older dog is showing signs of stiffness, this is a reasonable thing to look for on the label, alongside a dedicated joint supplement if your vet suggests one.
Softer or smaller kibble is also worth considering for a dog whose teeth are not what they were, since dental issues become more common with age and can make a hard, large kibble genuinely uncomfortable to eat.
Watching weight and body condition
An older dog gaining weight quietly on the same portion they have always had is common and easy to miss, since the change happens gradually. Re-weighing food rather than eyeballing it, and checking body condition by feel rather than the number on the bag, is a more reliable way to catch this early.
If your dog is losing weight instead, especially without an obvious reason like reduced appetite from dental pain, that is worth mentioning to your vet rather than simply feeding more — unexplained weight loss in an older dog can be a sign of an underlying condition worth investigating.
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 Cold Pressed Small Dog Turkey
Cold-pressed grain-free dry food for small dogs and puppies, built on turkey
£16.99
Pooch & Mutt Joint & Mobility Bones
A 200g chicken-free joint supplement powder for dogs, sprinkled daily over food
£12.49
Pooch & Mutt Health & Digestion Bionic Biotic
A puppy-friendly, chicken-free supplement blend for gut, skin and coat health, 200g
£12.49
Pooch & Mutt Salmon Oil
Scottish salmon oil for dogs, dosed by weight from toy breeds to giants
£13.99
Harringtons Just 6 Dry Dog Food Lamb
Grain-free lamb dry dog food in 2KG and 12KG sizes, with size-specific formulas
From£13.99
Harringtons Adult Dog Salmon & Potato
Complete salmon and potato dry dog food with 21% protein in a 1.7KG bag
£6.25
Forthglade Cold Pressed Natural Turkey
Cold-pressed turkey kibble for dogs from 2 months, soft enough to mix with water for young pups
£45.99
Forthglade Cold Pressed Grain Free Salmon
Cold-pressed grain-free dry food for dogs, built on fresh and dried salmon
From£16.99
Forthglade Cold Pressed Grain Free Duck
Cold-pressed grain-free duck food with fruit and botanicals, in two bag sizes
From£16.99
Forthglade Cold Pressed Grain Free Chicken
Cold-pressed grain-free chicken food with fruit and botanicals, in three bag sizes
From£16.99
Burns Puppy Junior Original Chicken Rice
A complete puppy and junior food with dried chicken 31% and controlled fat at 15%
From£14.99
Common questions
- Do older dogs need less protein?
- Not automatically. Healthy senior dogs generally still need a reasonable level of protein to maintain muscle mass. Reduced protein is a specific change for conditions such as chronic kidney disease, and that decision should be made by your vet based on your individual dog rather than age alone.
- When should I switch my dog to a senior food?
- There is no single age that applies to every dog — large breeds tend to be considered senior earlier, often from around six or seven, while small breeds may not need the switch until eight or nine. Watching for a slower pace, weight changes or stiffness is a better guide than the calendar alone.
- Are joint supplements in senior dog food worth it?
- Ingredients like glucosamine and chondroitin are commonly included to support joint comfort and are a reasonable thing to look for if your dog is showing early stiffness. For a dog with a diagnosed joint condition, a dedicated supplement recommended by your vet may do more than what is included in the food alone.
- My senior dog is losing weight — is that normal?
- Gradual weight loss is not something to assume is simply old age. It can be linked to dental pain, reduced appetite, or an underlying health condition, so it is worth mentioning to your vet rather than just increasing portions and waiting to see.
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.