Best Food for Senior Dogs: What to Look For

What should you look for in a senior dog's food?

There is no single best food for every senior dog, but good senior nutrition usually comes down to a few things:

• Enough good-quality protein to help maintain muscle as your dog ages.
• The right calories to keep your dog at a healthy, lean weight: not too much, not too little.
• Palatability and texture your older dog will accept, since appetite and teeth can change with age.
• Whole, recognizable ingredients so you know what is in the bowl.

The rest of this page walks through each, and where freeze-dried raw fits.

Do senior dogs need more or less protein?

Healthy older dogs generally still need plenty of good-quality protein. Cutting it back is an outdated idea for most healthy seniors. Vets who study aging note that adequate protein helps older dogs hold onto lean muscle (Laflamme, 2012). AlphaPak is high in protein from whole meat and organs, with no fillers padding the bowl.

Should a senior dog eat less?

Often the calories change more than the food. Older dogs are frequently less active, so they may need fewer calories to avoid gaining weight. And keeping a dog lean matters. In a study of more than 50,000 dogs, dogs kept at a normal body condition had a longer median lifespan than overweight dogs (Salt et al., 2019). The goal is a healthy weight, which you manage with portion size. See how much to feed for starting amounts, and confirm the target with your vet.

Is freeze-dried raw a good fit for older dogs?

It can be a good fit for many. A few reasons older-dog owners choose it:

• High protein from whole meat and organs, with no fillers padding the bowl. This is the protein older dogs need to hold muscle.
• Soft, palatable meals. Rehydrated with warm water, freeze-dried raw is soft and aromatic, easier to eat for a dog with worn teeth or a smaller appetite.
• Whole vegetables in every batch. AlphaPak includes broccoli, carrots, sweet potato, and green beans. These are a natural source of the antioxidants researchers study for healthy aging.
• Simple, whole ingredients with no synthetic additives.

None of this makes it right for every senior. For a fuller picture of the tradeoffs, see is freeze-dried raw good for dogs?, and talk with your vet, especially if your dog has a health condition.

When should you talk to your vet about your senior dog's diet?

Sooner rather than later. Senior dogs are more likely to have conditions (kidney, heart, dental, or others) where diet is part of the treatment, and some of these need a specific therapeutic diet your vet prescribes. Ask your vet at your dog's regular check-ups whether their current food still fits, and before making a change if your dog has any diagnosed condition. This page is general information, not veterinary advice.

How to introduce a new food to a senior dog

Go gradually, over a week or two, not overnight. Mix a little more of the new food in each day, and keep an eye on appetite, stool, and energy. Older dogs can be more sensitive to sudden change, so slower is better. Many owners use freeze-dried raw as a topper rather than switching fully. Our Find your recipe quiz gives a starting plan: the daily amount and cost for your dog.