Guide to Feeding Senior Dogs – Nutrition, Weight Management & Joint Health
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Old dog health problems like poor mobility, weight gain, and bowel problems can often be improved with a change in diet.
Senior dogs often become less interested in food, which can make feeding them more challenging.
It’s really important to feed your dog a senior diet once they reach seven or eight years old, to help maintain their health in their older age.
Table of contents
Common Senior Dog Health Problems
As they get older, it’s common for dogs to develop health problems.
Back leg problems in older dogs are relatively common due to arthritis affecting the hips and weakness, making it harder for larger breeds to stand.
What’s more, if your dog is overweight, it becomes even more difficult for them to get around. This poor mobility can also contribute to bowel problems in older dogs, as they become less able to position to pass faeces.
To help monitor your dog’s health as they get older, you could create your own senior dog health checklist. This will help you maintain their quality of life, identify any support they need, and keep track of any senior dog health symptoms they have.
What should I feed my senior dog?
Senior dog food should contain easily digestible protein to help maintain muscle mass and repair wear and tear on organs and joints.
It’s also important that it doesn’t contain too many calories to prevent weight gain when exercise and activity levels reduce with age.
Fibre is also a key ingredient in senior dog food to maintain healthy bowels, as some dogs struggle with anal gland problems, constipation, or diarrhoea as they get older.
Like any dog food, senior dog food should be nutritionally complete, containing the vitamins and minerals your dog needs in the right amounts to maintain their health, but it should also contain extra ingredients to promote immunity, boost skin, coat, and joint health, and reduce inflammation.
You can find out more in our blog posts, High Fibre Food for Dogs and Omega 3 and Omega 6 for Dogs.
When should I start feeding my dog senior food?
If you’re wondering ‘At what age should my dog eat senior food?’ don’t worry – we’ve got you covered!
It’s a good idea to start your dog on a senior dog food from around seven or eight years of age, depending on their breed. As a rule, larger breeds should start a senior diet earlier than smaller breeds.
How much food to feed a senior dog?
You should always read the feeding guidelines for your dog’s particular food to get an idea of how much to feed them, and speak to your vet if you’re concerned about their weight or how much they eat.
Monitor their weight closely to check that they’re getting enough food, but not becoming overweight, as this will impact their joints.
Older Dog Feeding Schedule
If your dog isn’t as enthusiastic at mealtimes anymore, you might wonder whether there’s a magic time of day when they’ll have a better appetite!
If you’re asking, ‘When should I feed my senior dog?’, our senior dog feeding schedule gives an example routine that could work for older dogs.
7.30 am: Breakfast - half of their recommended total daily intake, accounting for treats and titbits
5.00 pm: Dinner - half of their recommended total daily intake accounting for treats and titbits
While many dogs thrive on two meals a day, some prefer three or four smaller meals.
Weight Management in Senior Dogs
It’s common for dogs to gain weight as they get older, because their mobility isn’t as good and they don’t get as much exercise.
Certain breeds are particularly prone to weight gain and obesity with age, including Labradors and Golden Retrievers.
To prevent weight gain, it’s a good idea to feed a senior dog food (which reduces calorie intake), reduce treats, and maintain base activity levels.
Tips to Help Your Older Dog Enjoy Food
Feeding older dogs isn’t always easy. They can become fussy with age, and they may not enjoy the foods they used to.
To encourage your older dog to eat, consider feeding smaller meals more frequently, raising the bowl to make it easier for your dog to eat, or adding a small amount of low-fat, low-salt stock to make their food even tastier!
Years Senior Dog Food
Years Senior Dog Food is made especially for older dogs, with everything they need to stay happy and healthy as they age. Each meal is packed with high-quality protein, joint-supporting extras like green-lipped mussel and L‑Carnitine, plus probiotics to keep their digestion and immune system in good shape.
It’s gently cooked to lock in goodness and served in easy, ready-to-go trays that take the guesswork out of feeding. Designed with vets and rated 96 % by All About Dog Food, it’s a simple way to give your senior dog the tailored support they need to feel their best.
Summary
Dogs can go off their food as they get older, so a fresh senior dog food is a great way to keep them interested and give them the nutrients they need to keep their joints, teeth, skin, and bowels healthy for as long as possible.
FAQs
Why is my senior dog losing weight but still eating?
If you have an old dog losing weight despite a good appetite, it’s worth getting them checked over by the vet. A senior dog losing weight but eating may have a health condition affecting their kidneys, liver, intestines, or another organ.
Why is my senior dog not eating but drinking water?
Senior dogs stop eating for lots of reasons, including pain in the mouth (often from dental disease), arthritic pain, nausea, or other illnesses. However, if your dog is still eating and drinking but fussier with their food than normal, you could try changing to a different senior dog food that’s more palatable.
Why is my senior dog eating dirt?
Eating dirt could be a habit, but it can also be a symptom called pica, which can indicate anaemia. If your dog is eating dirt it’s essential to get them checked by a vet.
Do older dogs eat less food?
As they get older, dogs are sometimes less interested in food, but finding ways to keep them interested by making their food as palatable as possible will help. If they’re consistently not eating their food or seem unwell you should take them to the vet.
Do senior dogs lose weight?
It’s common for dogs to lose weight as they get older (although sometimes the opposite is true). However, this doesn’t mean it’s normal or should be ignored. An elderly dog losing weight could indicate a health problem, so they should be checked by a vet.
What can I give my senior dog to gain weight?
Digestible protein, like chicken and turkey, is great for helping your dog gain weight. You can also try increasing the amount you feed them. However, if your dog is struggling to gain weight despite a good appetite, it’s important to get them checked by a vet.
Is wet or dry food better for senior dogs?
Dry food is better for a dog’s teeth; however, wet food is often more palatable, and the increased water content helps to keep your dog hydrated.
About the author
Dr. Hannah
Hannah Godfrey – BVetMed MRCVS
Hannah graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2011 and began work straight away at a busy mixed practice. She has a passion for soft tissue surgery, ultrasound, and canine and feline dentistry, having completed additional training in these areas. February 2023 marked a big development in Hannah’s career, as she moved from permanent clinical veterinary work to become an Editor for a global medical communications company. She hasn't given up clinical work altogether, though, and still does regular locum shifts at her local veterinary practices.
