best human food for senior dogs

Best Dog Food For Senior Dogs

A long life is the result of good genes, good care, and good luck. While a few four-leaf clovers never hurt anyone, chances are its a little late to worry about good genes once youve welcomed a dog into your heart. That leaves good care as the one thing you can control now. And a big part of good care is good nutrition.

However, there are issues when it comes to feeding your senior dog. Neither the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) nor the National Research Council have determined official dietary requirements for aging dogs. Its partly because senior dogs vary so much in their individual needs. That may explain why commercial foods for seniors vary so widely in nutrient levels.

Nobody expects you to be a nutritionist just to pick out a bag of dog food. But you should be aware of just a few important factors that apply to most senior dogs. This will help you choose the best dog food for your senior dog.

Dont Restrict Protein

This matter is widely misunderstood. Many people still believe senior dogs should eat less protein. We now know the opposite is true. Healthy seniors need more protein, not less, in order to fuel muscle. Loss of muscle mass is a major problem in older dogs. Some seniors lose so much muscle they can no longer walk unassisted.

Older dogs need about 50 percent more protein to maintain muscle mass compared to younger ones. But, diets formulated for adult maintenance diets often dont have enough protein to satisfy these needs. Veterinarian Ernie Ward, founder of the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, recommends 28 to 32 percent protein on a dry-matter basis for healthy older dogs, especially in those cases where weight loss is needed.

Consider Calories

Younger seniors tend to be overweight. But, very old dogs tend to be underweight. A 2011 study found that calories in senior foods varied widely, ranging from 246 to 408 calories per cup. So, the same senior food may be a great choice if your dog needs to lose weight. But it may be a bad choice if they need to gain weight.

Dont forget that the time to consider calories is well before old age sets in. Two benchmark studies conducted by major dog food companies Purina and Waltham both found that restricting calories throughout life improved longevity and reduced illnesses. Essentially, good care for senior dogs starts in youth.

Feed For Organ Health

Other factors to consider are senior dog health problems such as heart and kidney disease. For both conditions, youll want a low-sodium food. But, that same 2011 study found that sodium levels in senior foods ranged from 33 to 412 mg/100 kcal. For kidney disease, youll want low phosphorous, but thats not even mentioned on any label. The 2011 study found phosphorous levels varied by threefold in the senior foods they examined, but were on average higher than their representative adult maintenance food.

Prescription diets are available for heart, kidney, and other diseases that take into account these nutritional needs. However, even those foods may have wide ranges of nutrients. Any dog food manufacturer should be able to provide these numbers to you on their website or with a simple phone call. While youre at it, ask them about the credentials of the people formulating their foods. If they cant provide either, thats clue number one that you should find another product.

Add Supplements

Some senior foods include supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin in an effort to combat osteoarthritis. Unfortunately, the evidence that these supplements actually work is limited. However, they wont hurtexcept maybe your wallet.

On the other hand, omega-3 fatty acids probably play an important role in senior diets because they may help combat both osteoarthritis and especially cognitive losses. If you are adding your own to your dogs diet, aim for the amount of EPA and DHA combined to be in the range of 700 to 1,500 mg. Build up starting at the low end and cut back if your dog has any diarrhea or vomiting.

Theres probably more to the recipe than simply EPA and DHA, however. Research conducted at Purina tested Beagles between the ages of 9.5 and 11 years of age that were fed either a standard diet or one supplemented with antioxidants, B vitamins, fish oil, and L-arginine for six months. The dogs fed this Brain Protection Blend performed significantly better on a series of mental tasks, especially the more difficult ones, compared to the dogs not receiving the blend. The tasks involved determining which one of several shallow wells contained food when the cue was a marker either next to it, near it, or displaced at an angle; or seeing how well they did on a task requiring them to discriminate right, left, and center, and then relearning which side was correct in order to receive a reward.

Make Food Palatable For Senior Dogs

There are practical aspects of feeding your dog to consider, too. Senior dogs may have dental problems that make chewing difficult or uncomfortable. These dogs should first be treated for whatever problem they have, but if that is impossible or unsuccessful, consider wetting their food or feeding them canned or soft food. Simply feeding a smaller kibble size may help if youre feeding dry food.

Senior dogs may be uncomfortable bending down to the food bowl or standing for long periods to eat. Try serving their meals on a raised platform or encourage them to eat lying down.

Very old dogs often lose their appetite. Warming the food can increase its aroma and may help stimulate the appetite; cooling it may make it less nausea-inducing in queasy dogs. At some point you may have to abandon your goal of a healthy balanced diet and just feed him whatever he will eat. The wait until hes hungry enough tactic doesnt work in seniors because their hunger mechanism may not be working correctly. Besides, its a little late to be worried about spoiling himand even if you do, doesnt he deserve it?

This column first appeared in theSeptember/October 2019 issue of AKC Family Dogmagazine.

The best senior dog food of 2024, with advice from veterinarians

What to look for in senior dog food

Our experts say the following criteria are important to consider when shopping for senior dog food:

AAFCO nutritional adequacy statement for adult maintenance or all life stages: The AAFCO is a nonprofit organization that recommends nutritional profiles based on an animal's life stage. They don't approve pet foods or establish specific standards for senior dog foods. However, choosing a senior food formulated for adult maintenance or all life stages ensures the recipe fulfills the recommended protein, fat, and nutrient requirements of adult dogs. The best dog foods for senior pups will also contain beneficial extras such as glucosamine and chondroitin to support joint health and have fewer calories per serving than adult dog foods.

Ingredient list: Labels list ingredients by weight, so the first few ingredients generally make up the majority of the food's weight. "There are no particular ingredients that senior dogs should avoid," says Luisana. However, she recommends grain-inclusive foods over grain-free foods due to the potential link between grain-free dog foods, especially those containing peas, and dilated cardiomyopathy.

Guaranteed analysis: Rather than fixating on dog food ingredient lists, our experts say to examine the guaranteed analysis of important nutrients, including protein, fat, fiber, and other essential vitamins and minerals. Adult dog food must have a minimum of 18% protein and 5.5% fat to fulfill a dog's nutritional needs. As the AAFCO doesn't set specific standards for senior dog foods, the guaranteed analysis of these foods can vary significantly between recipes. Before selecting a food, our experts recommend asking your vet about the best food for your senior pup.

Healthy extras: The best senior dog food will contain extra ingredients that support their unique needs. For example, Freeman and Welborn highlight the potential benefits of antioxidants in supporting healthy aging. Welborn suggests a diet rich in antioxidants, such as Purina Bright Minds, if your dog experiences cognitive dysfunction. Other healthy extras for seniors include joint-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, glucosamine, and chondroitin.

Calorie content: A dog's metabolism typically slows as they age, and many seniors are less active. So, senior dog foods usually contain fewer calories than adult formulations, according to Churchill. Freeman adds that overweight senior dogs are at greater risk of weight-related conditions like arthritis and diabetes. That said, feeding your dog less food could result in a nutritional deficiency. That's why Freeman recommends switching to a low-calorie senior diet or a weight-management diet based on guidance from your vet.

Breed-size formulation: The best food for your senior pup may depend on their size. Our experts say small and large breed seniors have different health risks and may also require different calorie amounts and kibble sizes. Buying food specific to your pup's size helps ensure they get a recipe formulated for their needs.

Feeding-trial tested versus formulated foods: The best senior dog foods have been formulated and in some cases, feeding-trial tested to meet the AAFCO's nutritional standards for adult maintenance or all life stages. If your dog's food has an AAFCO label, you'll know the recipe fulfills the recommended protein, fat, and nutrient requirements for adult dogs. A label indicating feeding trials confirms the food's safety and palatability based on testing with a group of dogs.

Expert formulations: The dog food brands we recommend meet quality control standards. In other words, the brand employs a full-time board-certified veterinary nutritionist and potentially a PhD-level animal nutritionist, as recommended in the WSAVA guidelines.

Next-level ingredients: Next-level ingredients refer to those farmed or caught through humane and sustainable farming or harvesting practices. Although these ingredients may not offer extra nutrition to your pet, choosing pet food with ingredients like farmed raised meats, cage-free eggs, and sustainably caught fish helps you support a pet food company that prioritizes both animal welfare and sustainable practices.

40 Vet-Reviewed Human Foods That Dogs Can Eat Safely

The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.

Learn more

Its one of the simple joys of owning a dog: feeding it the same food that youre currently eating. However, you have to be careful with what you give your pup, as some human foods can be toxic for dogs.

Thats not what this list is about, though. This list is a celebration of all the foods that you have in your house that you can safely share with your pup. Lets dive in!

The 40 Human Foods That Dogs Can Safely Eat

1. Carrots

Carrots arent just for Bugs Bunnytheyre fantastic for your dog as well. It doesnt matter if you feed them to your pooch raw or cooked; theyre full of vitamins, minerals, and fiber.

They dont have many calories either, so you can feed your dog as many carrots as theyll eat. Better still, they can help clean off plaque from your dogs teeth while they crunch on them. We do recommend peeling them first, though.

2. Chicken

Chicken is fantastic for dogs, as its lean meat thats high in protein. Dogs love it too, so it makes a wonderful reward for when your pup has been an especially good dog.

If youre going to serve your dog chicken, though, its best to serve it plain. It doesnt much matter how you prepare it, but its best if you dont add any condiments or seasonings. Your dog wont miss themand they certainly wont miss the salt and other additives inside them. Never give your dog cooked chicken bones as they can break into sharp pieces injuring or perforating their mouth or digestive system.

3. Apples

Full of antioxidants and vitamin C, apples are a wonderful treat for your pet. Many dogs love how sweet they are too, so you shouldnt have to work too hard to get your pooch to wolf them down.

Apples are a great source of fiber as well, so they can help keep your dog regular. Just dont feed them rotten apples, though, as those can lead to alcohol poisoning. Also, do not allow them to eat the seeds or stems!

4. Peanut Butter

Its incredibly rare to find a dog that doesnt love peanut butter. It makes a great training reward, or you can just smear some of it on a chew toy to keep your dog occupied for hours.

Luckily, peanut butter can be good for dogsin moderation. Its full of protein and healthy fats, and it also has vitamins B and E. Buy the stuff that doesnt have added sugar, though, and make absolutely certain that it doesnt contain xylitol, which is toxic for pups.

5. Eggs

The next time that you get up and make yourself breakfast, consider frying up an egg for your dog as well. Eggs are full of protein, and they also contain virtually every important vitamin and mineral.

Dont give your pooch raw eggs, though, as they could carry salmonella. You can also mix up a fried egg with your dogs kibble to entice a picky dog.

6. Pork

Just like chicken, pork is full of protein, so its great for helping your dog build lean muscle. However, its a fatty meat, so only serve it to your pet in moderation, as it can cause inflammation or pancreatitis in large quantities.

Dont salt your pork before you serve it, and dont give your pup bacon or processed ham, as those are both full of sodium.

7. Salmon

Cooked salmon is one of the best foods that a dog (or a person) can eat. Its lean, full of protein, and stuffed to the gills with omega fatty acids. These antioxidants do everything from fighting inflammation to improving skin quality.

Never give your dog raw fish, though. Raw salmon may contain a parasite that causes salmon poisoning disease, which can kill your pooch.

8. Blueberries

Blueberries are considered a superfood due to all the vitamins and antioxidants inside them, and theyre also packed with fiber. If you can convince your pup to eat them, you should feed them as many as theyll take.

Theyre especially good for senior dogs, as they can improve all manner of age-related conditions.

9. Cucumbers

Not every dog will eat a cucumber, but if yours will, it makes a great, low-calorie treat or reward for dogs that need to lose a little weight, as theyre mostly water. You can feed your pup quite a few without any adverse effects on their waistline.

They have their fair share of vitamins and minerals too. Theyre especially high in vitamin K, which can help prevent bleeding problems in dogs.

10. Watermelon

If you want a sweet treat for your pup, watermelon is a good choice. Since its so full of moisture, its fantastic for dehydrated dogs. It also has vitamins A, C, and B-6.

Dont give them the seeds, though, as those can cause an intestinal blockage. Also, remove the rinds first; while theyre not toxic, they can cause an upset stomach, giving you quite a mess to clean up.

11. Green Beans

Green beans are packed with calcium, iron, and vitamin K. You can give them to your pooch cooked or raw, and many dogs will gobble them right up.

Serve them to your pup plain and unsalted, and its best if you cut them up first so your dog wont choke on them.

12. Turkey

Much like chicken, cooked turkey is safe and healthy for dogs. Its high in protein and is excellent for your pet. Thats why its included in so many kibbles.

Dont give your dog deli meat, however, as its loaded with sodium. Also, if the turkey has any fat on it, cut it off first, as that can cause pancreatitis in large quantities. Avoid giving your dog a cooked turkey bone as it can break into dangerous sharp pieces.

13. White Rice

White rice doesnt necessarily have much in the way of nutrients for your dog, but its extremely easy for dogs to digest. As a result, its often prescribed for animals with upset stomachs, especially when paired with plain, boiled chicken.

It has a fair amount of sugar, though, so you should only serve it in moderation, its avoided in dogs with diabetes.

14. Dairy

You have to give it to them in moderation, but a little bit of dairy is fine for your dog to eatassuming that theyre not lactose intolerant, of course. Whether its a small piece of cheese or a teaspoon of plain yogurt, you can give it to your pup as a treat every now and then.

Yogurt is especially good, as its full of probiotics that are wonderful for your dogs digestive tract. You can even freeze it and use it as a treat on a hot day.

15. Bananas

Bananas are packed with magnesium, which is good for a dogs bone health. Theyre also full of sugar, so you dont want to give your dog too many. Theyre also full of potassium, biotin, and fiber, all of which are necessary for your dogs health.

16. Asparagus

Its a rare dog indeed that will accept asparagus as a treat, but if you can convince your pup to try this stinky vegetable, theyll enjoy tons of fiber as a result. Be sure to cook it first, though, as raw asparagus can wreak havoc on a dogs digestive tract.

17. Spinach

Whether cooked or raw, spinach is full of iron, vitamin K, and a variety of antioxidants. Its incredibly healthy for both you and your pup.

Its unlikely that your dog will eat spinach on its own, but you may have more luck if you mix cooked spinach in with their kibble. Its worth a shot, anyway.

18. Pumpkin

If your dog is ever backed up, adding pumpkin to their diet could clear things up in a big way. Its full of fiber and adds heft to their bowel movements, making them both more regular and easier to clean up (and possibly orange in color).

19. Plain Popcorn

No, your dog cant have the good stuff, so dont offer them anything thats coated in salt, oil, and butter. However, plain popcorn is full of zinc, magnesium, and phosphorous, all of which are important parts of any dogs diet.

Be sure they dont get any kernels, though, as those can crack teeth and cause intestinal blockages. Put the bag safely out of reach too, as many dogs can choke themselves trying to eat it.

20. Sweet Potato

It seems like sweet potato is in just about every high-end dog food these days and for good reason: Its packed with fiber, vitamins A and C, and potassium. Its used in place of grains in many kibbles, so it should help keep your dog full without causing digestive issues.

21. Green Peas

Peas are excellent for dogs, as they have tons of A and B vitamins, as well as zinc, iron, and potassium. Theyre also surprisingly high in protein, although be aware that dogs dont get all their necessary nutrients from plant proteins as they do from animal proteins. Just make sure peas are given in moderation, diets that use high amounts of peas as a source of protein in dogs diets have been linked to the potential development of heat issues in dogs.

22. Celery

Many people claim that celery is nutritionally uselessbut it is high in fiber and it is safe for your dog to eat.

23. Cooked Potatoes

Dont ever feed your dog raw or green potatoes, as those can kill them. Cooked potatoes, on the other hand, have plenty of vitamins C and B6, as well as iron.

24. Corn

Corn gets a bad rap because its used as a cheap filler in many commercial dog foods. As an occasional additive to a healthy kibble, though, corn can give your dog protein, linoleic acid, and fiber. Just feed it sparingly. Never give your dog corn on the cob as this represents a choking hazard.

25. Oatmeal

Oatmeal is gentle on a dogs stomach, making it a good option for a dog with tummy troubles. Its also a good substitute for wheat in gluten-intolerant pups.

26. Cashews

Cashews contain calcium, protein, magnesium, and a handful of important antioxidants. Many dogs love them, but you should only feed them sparingly, as theyre full of fat (not to mention the fact that theyre expensive).

27. Shrimp

Shrimp is good because its low in fat and calories yet high in protein. It also has phosphorous and vitamin B-12. On the downside, though, its loaded with cholesterol, so dont give your dog too much. Also, remove the tails first.

28. Soy

Soy is another ingredient thats often demonized because its used in cheap, low-quality kibbles. However, its safe for dogs to eatbut many dogs dont tolerate it well, so be sure to monitor your pup after feeding it to them.

29. Ice Cream

Most ice cream is safe for dogs to eat, but that doesnt mean they should. Its extremely high in fat and sugar, so dont give your pooch more than a taste. Also, check the ingredients to make sure there isnt anything toxic in theremany diet desserts use xylitol as a sweetener.

30. Bread

Unless it has raisins or other toxic ingredients in it, bread is perfectly safe for dogs to consume. Its full of empty carbs, though, and it doesnt offer much in the way of nutritional benefit.

Theres one time that bread can come in handy, however. If your dog has eaten something that they shouldntespecially something that could puncture their digestive tractfeeding them several slices of bread could provide a protective barrier against puncture wounds until they pass it.

31. Honey

Honey is great for allergy-prone dogs like Pit Bulls, as it helps animals build up a resistance to allergens. It also contains nearly every vitamin on the list, as well as calcium, copper, and potassium. Dont give your dog more than a spoonful or two, though, as its full of sugar.

Also, dont feed honey to puppies or animals with compromised immune systems.

32. Goats Milk

Goats milk has all the vitamins, minerals, and other good stuff that cows milk does, but its much easier for dogs to digest. You should still only serve it in moderation, but its a better choice for pups than traditional moo juice.

33. Zucchini

Whether cooked or raw, zucchini is a high-fiber, low-calorie treat for your pup. Many dogs will turn their noses up at it, but if yours will eat it, feel free to use it as a treat every now and then.

34. Peaches

Peaches are jam-packed with vitamin A, making them great for skin and coat health. They also contain a fair amount of fiberand a great deal of sugar, so serve them sparingly. Dont let your dog get ahold of the pit, either, as it can cause a life-threatening intestinal blockage or a choking hazard.

35. Blackberries

Another so-called superfood, blackberries have just about every vitamin and mineral that you can think of, as well as an impressive array of antioxidants. Theyre also full of fiber. Dont give your dog more than a few per day, though.

36. Coconut

Coconut and coconut oil have received a great deal of press in recent years for being fantastic for everything from fighting aging to benefiting skin and fur. Many of those health claims havent been proven yet, but coconut meat and oil are both safe for dogs. Dont give them more than a tiny bit, though, as its incredibly high in fat.

37. Mango

If used as an occasional reward, mangoes can be excellent for canines. Theyre full of fiber, and they have important vitamins and minerals. Just peel them first and be sure to remove the pit.

38. Mushrooms

Any store-bought mushroom should be safe for your dog to consume, although they may not see much benefit from it. Make sure its not combined with troublesome ingredients like garlic or onions, though, and never let your pup eat a mushroom that theyve found growing in the wild.

39. Cherries

Pitted cherries are another food that dogs can eat, but theres not much reason to let them do so. Cherry pits are extremely toxic, though, as they contain cyanide (plus, theyre choking hazards).

40. Oranges

Many dogs like the taste of oranges, but thats because theyre high in sugar. As a result, you should limit the amount that you feed your pup. Still, they have vitamins and minerals (especially vitamin C) and are low in calories, so they make great treats for overweight dogs.

Its Probably Best to Limit Your Dog to Their Own Food

While all the foods on this list are safe to give to your dog in some amount, that doesnt mean you shouldonly give this to your dog. Your dog can enjoy great health benefits from the addition of dog-safe fruits and vegetables to its diet.

The fact is that your pups food is already designed to give him all the nutritional support he needs, but healthy fruits and vegetables can give your dog additional healthy antioxidants and nutrients. So go ahead and share some of your dinners with your dogprovided all the food on your plate is listed above.

We truly hope that this article helped you determine what human foods dogs can eat!

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