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.
James Wellbeloved Grain Free Senior Dry Dog Food Turkey & Veg
Grain-free turkey kibble for senior dogs, with glucosamine and chondroitin for joints
£82.35
James Wellbeloved Senior Breed Dry Dog Food Turkey Rice
Turkey and rice kibble for senior small-breed dogs, sized for smaller mouths
From£11.69
Barking Heads All Hound Golden Years Chicken
Barking Heads' senior chicken recipe for older dogs, with joint-support additions
£14.99
Bakers 7+ Senior Dog Superfood Chicken with Vegetables
A complete dry food for dogs aged 7 and over, with meaty chunks and wholegrains
£39.15
James Wellbeloved Senior Dry Dog Food Turkey & Rice
Hypoallergenic senior dog food with turkey as the single named animal protein
£69.75
James Wellbeloved Grain Free Senior Dry Dog Food Lamb Veg
Grain-free lamb kibble for senior dogs, with glucosamine and chondroitin for joints
From£12.75
Burns Adult/Senior Dog Original Lamb and Brown Rice
Single-source lamb and brown rice, formulated for adult and senior dogs with sensitivities
£35.99
Harringtons Senior Dog Chicken
Complete senior chicken dry dog food with 7.5% fat in 1.7kg and 12kg bags
From£6.49
Burns Senior Chicken Rice
Chicken and brown rice with glucosamine and chondroitin, for senior dogs slowing down
From£14.99
Forthglade Complete Senior Lamb Grain Free — 18 x 395g Trays
Sold as a case: 18 x 395g trays. A 60% lamb complete wet dog food for seniors, with glucosamine and chondroitin
£35.89
Taylors Adult & Senior Working Dog Grain Free Chicken
Grain-free complete food for working dogs, chicken-based, in a 12kg sack
£39.99
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.