As our beloved dogs enter their golden years, their dietary needs change, meaning we need a more tailored approach to their diet. Older dogs have slower metabolisms, dental issues, and health problems like diabetes. That means the dry dog food you’ve been feeding your pet may no longer be the best choice. If you’ve never given your dog wet dog food – now may be the perfect time to switch. The best wet foods for senior dogs are easy to eat, digest, and customize.
Selecting the best wet dog food for your pooch depends on their needs, preferences, and any dietary restrictions they might have. However, several brands and formulas are highly regarded for their quality ingredients, nutritional balance, and focus on senior dog health. We’ve created a list of the best wet food for senior dogs according to the consensus among 11 vets and pet parents. Does your dog love the one we missed? Comment below.
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The List: Best Wet Food for Senior Dogs
1. Blue Buffalo Senior Wet Recipe
Blue Buffalo tops our list as the best wet dog food for senior dogs because it’s easy to eat, has glucosamine and chondroitin to support joint health, and is free of corn, wheat, and other artificial flavors. Dog Food Advisor recommends this brand with confidence.
This line of wet dog food is specifically formulated for senior dogs. Rover.com writes, “This recipe is ideal for picky eaters and dogs who have trouble eating dry food.” The meal is moist and made with only natural ingredients.
This senior dog food is great for all breeds and sizes. According to Chewy.com reviews, pet parents loved the “fresh ingredients” and appreciated the “good quality.” It’s one of the best-selling brands on the market.
2. Purina Pro Plan Adult 7+
Spruce Pets calls this the best wet dog food for seniors. It’s made with human-grade ingredients and is free of artificial ingredients. If you buy the smaller size, it also has botanical oils to help “promote alertness.”
This dog food has all the necessary ingredients to help your senior dog live a healthy life. Insider says, “Beef, liver, chicken, and meat byproducts make up the protein.” Extra nutritional support comes from omega fatty acids, vitamin E, and niacin.
3. Hills Science Diet Adult 7+
This canned dog food is perfect for all breeds above the age of seven. Customers at Chewy.com give glowing reviews saying it has “wonderful ingredients,” “smells good,” and is “healthy and yummy.” I’m not sure how they know it’s yummy, but I won’t ask.
AnimeERge says you can feed your dog one of these entrees as a “balanced meal” or you can try it on top of some dry dog food for extra nutrition.
Many pet owners like that this food is made in the U.S. However, AZ Animals points out that the ingredients are “sourced worldwide.” It’s perfect for older dogs because of the “natural ingredients” and its “powerful blend of antioxidants.”
4. Chicken Soup for the Soul Mature Pate
This company has provided premium pet nutrition since 2004. According to Rover, it makes all of its wet food without by-product meals, wheat, corn, or soy which can upset the older dog’s stomach. The website likes the pate recipe that has plenty of chicken, turkey, salmon, and duck protein to keep your dog healthy.
The pate is low in calories and high in protein, which is ideal for an older dog. Dog Food Advisor loves the fact it has no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. It also has a super-fine texture which makes it easier to eat if your dog is missing teeth.
Chewy.com customers also give this brand the thumbs up for their senior dogs. Reviewers say this wet food is both healthy and has “quality ingredients” making it the perfect addition to your pooch’s diet.
5. NomNom Turkey
Founded in 2014, this subscription service dog food company has four, gently cooked flavors for senior dogs. It comes frozen to your door and was formulated by board-certified vets. According to Time, it can be fed as a meal or used as a topper. Also, it has no peas, chickpeas, lentils, or dry beans, which can cause heart disease in older dogs.
NomNom is great if you want to customize your meal plan for your dog. iHeartDogs says they can adjust ingredients if your dog has certain health issues such as kidney disease or arthritis. Each meal is vacuum-packed for freshness.
It’s a homemade meal without the fuss! Dog Food Advisor swears by the lower fat-to-protein ratio and says it’s an “exceptional, grain-free option.” While the service is not cheap, many pet parents are willing to shell out the extra bucks to keep senior dogs healthy.
6. Farmer’s Dog
This is another subscription-based service that allows you to customize the meals for your pet. The Spruce Pets says you fill out a questionnaire about your pet to come up with a personal plan. The service offers four different recipes.
Dog Food Advisor gives this brand a five-star rating. While it’s pricey, the website loves the fact the company uses “live feeding trials on real dogs to verify the nutritional content.” Most other brands use computer programs.
This food was designed for picky eaters and those with allergies. Newsweek says older pet parents should try the beef recipe since turkey and chicken can be allergy triggers. The food is delivered to your door on the schedule you choose.
When does a dog become a senior?
That depends on the size and breed. Small breeds often don’t enter their elder years until around 10-12 years old, medium breeds around 8-9 years old, and large or giant breeds can be considered senior as early as 5-6 years old. Contrary to the adage that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, recent studies challenge this notion. Many pet parents report that their dogs seem to get smarter with age. They claimed their pet was better at interacting with other pets or people and learned new tricks or commands.
As dogs enter their senior years, their nutritional needs change. Some of those extra needs include:
- Reduced Calories: Older dogs are less active — so they need to eat fewer calories.
- High-Quality Protein: Extra protein is crucial for maintaining muscle mass, but the source and digestibility of the protein are important to ease the workload on the kidneys and liver.
- Adjusted Fat Content: Lower levels of fat are often necessary to prevent obesity, but the inclusion of omega-3 fatty acids can help manage inflammation and support joint health.
- Easily Chewable: Many senior dogs suffer from dental issues, making softer wet foods or kibble that are easy to chew a more comfortable option for them.
- Hydration: Older dogs may be less efficient at regulating their hydration levels, so wet food can be beneficial in ensuring they receive adequate moisture with their meals, aiding in kidney function and overall hydration.
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Sources:
- PetMD
- Time
- Gentle Doctor Animal Hospital
- Bear Creek Vet Online
- The Spruce Pets
- AnimERge
- Insider
- Rover.com
- Dog Food Advisor
- Chewy.com
- Newsweek
Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This article may contain affiliate links in which we receive a commission if you make a purchase.
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