Dog food for older dogs
The short answer is that an older dog generally needs fewer calories for the same weight, often with more support for joints, teeth and digestion than an adult recipe provides. That's what a food labelled 'senior' or '7+' is built around — not a single magic ingredient, but a different balance of the same building blocks.
What actually changes in a senior recipe
Most senior dog foods are lower in calories per bowl than their adult equivalent, because an older dog is typically less active and gains weight more easily on the same portion that suited them at four years old. Extra weight is harder on ageing joints, which is part of why the calorie count is usually the first thing that changes.
Many senior recipes also carry added joint-support ingredients such as glucosamine and chondroitin, softer kibble sizes for dogs whose teeth aren't what they were, and sometimes a gentler protein and fat balance for a digestive system that has slowed down along with everything else.
There's no single age that makes a dog 'senior'
A small breed and a giant breed age at very different rates — a Great Dane is often considered senior from around six, while a small terrier might not be until nine or ten. The word on the bag is a guideline, not a rule tied to a birthday.
What matters more than the label is how your dog is actually doing: their weight, their energy on walks, how easily they get up after lying down, and what your vet says at their regular check-up. A dog showing early signs of slowing down can often benefit from a senior recipe before they technically qualify by age.
How to choose between the options
Wet and dry senior foods both exist for a reason. A dog with dental trouble or reduced appetite often does better on a wet food or a softened kibble, while a dog who is still eating well can usually stay on dry food for longer.
Check the protein source and fat percentage on the label rather than assuming every senior food is the same — some are built around joint support, others around weight management, and a dog with a specific issue may do better on a food aimed squarely at it than a generic 'senior' bag.
What we stock
Our senior range includes options like Burns Adult/Senior Dog Original Chicken & Brown Rice and the James Wellbeloved senior line across both wet and dry formats, alongside joint-support supplements for dogs who need a bit more than diet alone provides.
As with any change, introduce a new senior food gradually alongside what your dog already eats, over several days rather than switching overnight, and keep an eye on their stools and appetite while they adjust.
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
Pooch & Mutt Salmon Oil
Scottish salmon oil for dogs, dosed by weight from toy breeds to giants
£13.99
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
Forthglade Complete Meal Lightly Baked Turkey
A lightly baked complete dry food, 50% turkey, for adult dogs of any breed
From£12.49
Forthglade Complete Meal Lightly Baked Chicken
A grain-free complete dry food for adult dogs, lightly baked and built on 50% chicken
From£12.49
Forthglade Cold Pressed Small Dog Turkey
Cold-pressed grain-free dry food for small dogs and puppies, built on turkey
£16.99
Forthglade Complete Meal Lightly Baked Lamb
A lightly baked complete dry food, 50% lamb, for adult dogs of any breed
From£12.49
Forthglade Cold Pressed Grain Free Turkey
Grain-free cold-pressed turkey kibble for dogs, gentle on sensitive stomachs
£69.69
Forthglade British Classics Chicken Family Lunch
Complete Forthglade wet dog food with 75% chicken in a 395G tray
£2.45
Common questions
- At what age should I switch my dog to senior food?
- There's no fixed age — it varies by breed and size, with larger breeds generally considered senior earlier than small ones. Watching your dog's weight, activity level and mobility, alongside what your vet says at check-ups, is a better guide than the number on a birthday.
- Is senior dog food lower in protein?
- Not necessarily — some senior recipes reduce protein slightly, but others keep it similar to an adult food while lowering calories from fat instead. It varies by brand and recipe, so it's worth checking the actual label rather than assuming all senior foods follow the same formula.
- Does my older dog need a joint supplement as well as senior food?
- Some senior foods include joint-support ingredients already, while others don't, so check the label to see what's included. A dog showing signs of stiffness may benefit from an additional supplement, and that's worth discussing with your vet rather than guessing.
- How do I switch my dog to a new senior food?
- Introduce it gradually over a week or so, mixing increasing amounts of the new food in with the old rather than swapping overnight. This gives their digestive system time to adjust and makes it easier to spot whether the new food agrees with them.
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.