17+ Best Senior Dog Foods [2025]

As a general rule of thumb, dogs are considered older when they’ve reached half of their life expectancy, and as they age, their nutritional needs change. If you’re here because you want to give your senior dog the best care possible, you’re in the right place. Choosing the right food is a big part of that. 

Finding the best senior dog foods can help support their health, keep their energy levels up, and maintain a healthy weight without upsetting a sensitive stomach. But with so many options out there, it’s tough to know what’s best. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the best senior dog foods to help you make an informed choice and help your furry friend thrive in their golden years.

What is Senior Dog Food?

Senior dog food is dog food that meets the unique nutritional needs of aging dogs. As dogs grow older, their metabolism slows down, and they may become less active, leading to a higher risk of weight gain and joint issues.

By providing balanced nutrition tailored to their stage of life, senior dog food helps your older dog enjoy a good quality of life​ and reduce upset stomachs.

Senior Dog Food vs Regular Dog Food 

The key differences between senior dog food and regular dog food lie in their nutritional composition. Senior dog foods are often lower in calories to account for the reduced activity levels of older dogs, helping to prevent weight gain. They can also include higher levels of fiber to aid in digestion and reduce the risk of constipation, which can be more common in senior dogs. 

On the other hand, regular dog foods are generally more calorie-dense and may lack these targeted nutrients. 

How to Choose the Best Senior Dog Food

It’s important to note that larger breeds typically age faster than smaller ones. So, even if you have different sizes raised in the same household, they may still have different needs. Here’s how you can make sure you’re selecting the best senior dog food for your furry friend.

Speak with your veterinarian 

Your veterinarian is your best resource when it comes to determining the right diet for your senior dog. They can assess your dog’s specific health needs such as weight management, joint support, or digestive health, and recommend a food that addresses these concerns. 

Vets can also help you understand any special dietary requirements your dog might have, especially for specific health concerns (i.e. cardiac, kidney, etc.) Regular check-ups with your vet ensure that your dog’s diet aligns with their health status as they age.

Prioritize quality ingredients

Prioritize foods that include ingredients known for being gentle on the digestive system and promoting overall health. Fiber from pumpkin and white rice is beneficial for senior dogs as it supports healthy stools and digestive regularity. 

Sticking to a diet with a high percentage of animal protein, such as chicken or beef, is great for maintaining muscle mass while aging. These ingredients help your dog digest their food more easily so they receive the necessary nutrients without overloading their system.

Transition your senior dog’s diet 

Switching your dog to a new food should be done gradually to avoid upsetting their stomach. Start by mixing a small amount of the new food with their current diet, gradually increasing the portion over a week or two until the transition is complete. 

This gradual shift helps your dog’s digestive system adjust to the new food, reducing the risk of gastrointestinal issues like diarrhea or constipation. Monitor your dog during this period for any signs of discomfort or allergies, and consult your vet if you notice any unwanted reactions.

Best Senior Dog Foods 

Once you’ve determined the nutritional needs of your dog, the next step is to find a high quality dog food that hits all the categories you're looking for. No two dogs are exactly alike, so it's important to go with an option that covers the most bases and has amazing reviews. Let’s look at the best dog foods for seniors available today.

1. KOHA Limited Ingredient Bland Diet

KOHA Limited Ingredient Bland Diet for dogs is one of the best senior dog food options because it’s formulated to support dogs of all ages, including seniors, who need a simple easy-to-digest diet. This ready-to-serve bland diet is perfect for dogs with sensitive stomachs or those dealing with loose stool, diarrhea, or upset stomach. 

Unlike many bland diets that are only recommended short term, KOHA’s formula is balanced and nutritious enough for everyday feeding. They feature high-quality, easily digestible animal proteins which help maintain muscle mass while being gentle on your dog's digestive system.

 

Benefits:

• Features a simple limited-ingredient formula that’s easy on the stomach.
• Features real, easily digestible animal protein that provides essential nutrients without overloading the digestive system.
• Soft texture is safe for sensitive teeth
• Adds necessary hydration with its wet food format.
• Promotes healthy stools and regular digestion with the inclusion of fiber-rich ingredients like pumpkin and white rice.
• Can be served as a complete meal or mixer.

Try KOHA Limited Ingredient Bland Diet for dogs today!

2. KOHA Limited Ingredient Diet

KOHA Limited Ingredient Diet is a great option for seniors, particularly those with food sensitivities or allergies. This dog food features a single high-quality protein source, such as lamb or turkey, which reduces the likelihood of allergic reactions and digestive discomfort. 

This formula is designed to be easy on your dog’s digestive system while still providing all the essential nutrients they need. The simplicity of the ingredients helps your dog receive a straightforward, gentle diet that is easy to digest.

 

Benefits:

• Focuses on a single, easily digestible protein to minimize the risk of food sensitivities.
• Free from potatoes, peas, or other fillers
• Features simple ingredients and high moisture content to help support healthy digestion
• Provides essential nutrients for adult and senior dogs.

3. Blue Buffalo

Blue Buffalo offers their Basics recipe for older dogs with food sensitivities or allergies. This formula features a single animal protein source, such as turkey, salmon, or lamb, combined with carbohydrates like potatoes and peas. This senior formula also includes omega fatty acids to support skin and coat health.

 

Benefits:

• Promotes gentle digestion.
• Includes glucosamine and chondroitin to support mobility needs.
• Includes a balance of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals.

4. Canidae

Canidae offers their PURE Limited Ingredient Senior dry food for older dogs with sensitive stomachs or food allergies. This formula features just 10 key ingredients or fewer for high-quality protein intake. The grain-free recipe caters to dogs who require a more straightforward diet without common allergens like corn, wheat, or soy.

 

Benefits:

• High-quality protein.
• Grain-free and free from common allergens.
• Easily digestible carbohydrates.
• Only 10 key ingredients.

5. Chicken Soup for the Soul

Chicken Soup for the Soul offers their Mature recipe to meet the specific nutritional needs of older dogs. This formula features protein sources like chicken and turkey, combined with grains such as brown rice and oatmeal. The inclusion of antioxidants, omega fatty acids, and glucosamine supports overall health, joint function, and a shiny coat.

Benefits:

• High-quality protein.
• Rich in antioxidants and omega fatty acids.
• Contains glucosamine to help maintain healthy joints and mobility.
• Features easily digestible grains.

6. The Farmer's Dog

The Farmer's Dog is a subscription-based dog food service that delivers meals directly to your door. They offer freshly cooked meals based on the specific needs of each dog, including seniors. The recipes can be adjusted to be more easily digestible or pre-portioned to meet different dietary needs.

Benefits:

• Fresh ingredients.
• Soft textured foods.
• Pre-portioned meals.
• Customizable meal plans.

7. Ollie

Ollie also offers a subscription service for dog food delivered to your door. Each meal is cooked to preserve its nutrients and flavor. Ollie's meals are free from fillers, by-products, and artificial additives, which are beneficial for senior dogs with sensitive stomachs.

Benefits:

• High-quality protein sources.
• Human-grade ingredients with no fillers, by-products, or artificial additives.
• Customized meal plans.
• Meals delivered to your door.

8. Wellness CORE

Wellness CORE offers their Age Advantage line of grain-free senior dog food to support the health of aging dogs. This recipe features high-quality proteins paired with nutrient-rich superfoods. It also includes glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health and omega fatty acids to maintain a healthy skin and coat.

Benefits:

• High-quality protein.
• Rich in nutrient-dense superfoods.
• Includes glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health and mobility.
• Includes omega fatty acids.

9. Solid Gold

Solid Gold offers their Young at Heart Senior recipe that focuses on providing a balanced diet that supports the overall health of aging dogs. Their grain-free formula features cage-free chicken as the main protein source, paired with superfoods like sweet potatoes and spinach. The recipe is gentle on your senior dog’s digestive system while promoting joint health and maintaining a healthy weight.

Benefits:

• Supports muscle maintenance and overall health.
• Excludes grains fillers
• Includes superfoods like sweet potatoes and spinach.
• Supports joint health with glucosamine and chondroitin.
• Free from artificial preservatives, flavors, and by-products.

10. Open Farm

Open Farm offers their Senior Grain-Free dry dog food with a focus on sustainability and high-quality nutrition. This formula features humanely raised, antibiotic-free turkey and chicken as the primary protein sources. The inclusion of superfoods like pumpkin, sweet potatoes, and coconut oil support digestive health and promotes a healthy skin and coat. Open Farm claims that all ingredients are fully traceable to their source.

Benefits:

• Humanely raised, antibiotic-free turkey and chicken.
• Grain-free recipe.
• Includes nutrient-rich superfoods.
• Rich in Omega-3 fatty acids.

11. ORIJEN

ORIJEN offers their Senior recipe to nourish your aging dog with high-quality animal ingredients. The recipe is built on the WholePrey principle, meaning it includes the most nutrient-dense parts of the prey—like organs, cartilage, and bones. This formula is 85% animal-based, featuring fresh or raw poultry and fish, such as chicken, turkey, and salmon.

Benefits:

• 85% animal ingredients.
• WholePrey approach includes nutrient-dense organs, cartilage, and bones.
• Grain-free formula
• Features Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids.
• Contains antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables.

12. Royal Canin

Benefits:

• Comprehensive range that caters to various sizes, breeds, and health conditions of senior dogs
• Tailored nutrition to address specific needs
• High-quality ingredients
• Promotes healthy skin and coat with essential fatty acids and antioxidants

13. Earthborn Holistic Pet Food

Earthborn Holistic offers their Weight Control recipe to support the health of senior dogs who may struggle with maintaining a healthy weight. This formula features reduced fat content while still providing high-quality, lean proteins like chicken meal to help manage weight without damaging muscle mass. The grain-free composition makes it suitable for dogs with sensitivities.

Benefits:

• Low-fat, high-protein formula.
• Grain-free recipe. 
• Includes nutrient-rich vegetables. 
• Supports joint health and mobility.
• Free from artificial preservatives.

14. IAMS

IAMS offers their Healthy Aging senior dog food for both large and regular sized breeds. This recipe features farm-raised chicken as the primary ingredient and is enriched with antioxidants. It also includes a blend of fiber and prebiotics to support healthy digestion. 

Benefits:

• High-quality protein from farm-raised chickens.
• Tailored fiber blend with prebiotics.
• Contains omega-3 fatty acids.

15. Purina Pro Plan

Purina Pro Plan offers their Bright Mind senior dog food, which includes botanical oils to promote alertness and mental sharpness in dogs aged seven and older. This formula is also fortified with guaranteed live probiotics to support digestive and immune health. The blend of DHA, EPA, antioxidants, and B vitamins further supports brain function, joint health, and a healthy skin and coat.

Benefits:

• Promotes alertness and mental sharpness.
• Features real chicken as the primary ingredient.
• Fortified with live probiotics.
• Includes glucosamine and omega-3 fatty acids.

16. Go! Solutions

GO! Solutions offers their Carnivore Grain-Free senior recipe to provide high-protein nutrition for senior dogs. This formula features a blend of animal proteins, including chicken, turkey, and duck, which account for 85% of the protein content. The recipe is made to support lean muscle while also promoting joint health and cognitive function with natural sources of glucosamine, chondroitin, and taurine. 

Benefits:

• High in animal protein.
• Natural sources of glucosamine and chondroitin.
• Includes taurine for heart and vision support.
• Grain-free and gluten-free formula. 

17. Nulo

Nulo offers their Freestyle Senior dry dog food, which includes animal proteins such as trout, turkey, and salmon. The recipe also features a blend of yellow peas and sweet potatoes as healthy carbohydrate sources, along with fruits and vegetables like blueberries, apples, and tomatoes to offer antioxidant support.

Benefits:

• Features glucosamine and chondroitin to promote joint health and mobility.
• Rich in antioxidants.
• Includes probiotics for enhanced digestive and immune function.
• Includes low glycemic ingredients like sweet potatoes and peas.

 

More on the Best Senior Dog Foods

As your dog ages, their nutritional needs change, and it can be challenging to know how to best support their health through diet. Let’s clear up some of the most common questions dog owners have about feeding their senior pets.

What age is a dog considered a senior?

A dog is generally considered a senior when they reach about half their age, though this can vary depending on the breed and size of the dog. Larger breeds, like great danes and mastiffs, tend to age faster and may be considered senior as early as six or seven years old. 

Smaller breeds, such as chihuahuas, may not reach senior status until they are ten to twelve years old. It’s important to monitor your dog for signs of aging, like reduced activity levels or stiffness, and consult with your vet about transitioning to a senior diet when the time is right​

What is the best food to give an older dog?

KOHA Limited Ingredient Bland Diet is the best food for an older dog because it addresses aging health needs while providing balanced nutrition. Their dog food contains easy to digest animal proteins to maintain healthy muscle mass. The inclusion of simple carbohydrates like white rice and pumpkin are also beneficial for senior dogs with sensitive stomachs. 

How much food should I feed my senior dog?

The amount of food you should feed your senior dog depends on their size, activity level, and overall health. As dogs age, they generally become less active, so their calorie needs decrease. 

Start by following the feeding guidelines on the dog food packaging. For example, with KOHA Limited Ingredient Bland Diet feed your senior dog 1 pouch per 15 lbs. of body weight per day. If you are using it as a mixer, feed half the serving amount of KOHA Bland Diet with half the serving amount of current food.

 

Find the Best Senior Dog Food for Your Pet

Now that you know the best food options for your senior dog, you’re ready to take a major step in ensuring they stay healthy, active, and happy. Just like humans, senior dogs need additional support for their joint health, cognitive function, and overall vitality.

If you're searching for the right food for your dog, consider KOHA’s line of limited ingredient dog foods. They offer an easily digestible formula that’s ideal for dogs with sensitive stomachs or food allergies. This diet, suitable for all life stages, helps your dog receive balanced nutrition without junky fillers or common allergens.

Ready to give your senior dog the best nutrition possible? Learn more about KOHA today.