Skinner's Field & Trial Chicken & Root Veg - Adult Wet Dog Food, Grain Free, 390g (Pack of 18)

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To select foods for this guide, we spoke with two board-certified veterinary nutritionists and two small animal veterinarians. They helped us understand the unique dietary needs of senior dogs and what makes the best senior dog food.

Some dogs have trouble digesting certain foods or ingredients, which can cause them to have symptoms such as gas, diarrhea, or vomiting. These symptoms likely won't go away with age, so they may need a special senior diet that is gentle on their stomach. 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. If your senior dog has eaten kibble all their life and continues to enjoy it, you don't need to switch to wet food unless your vet recommends it. In fact, Luisana says some of her patients with no teeth still prefer kibble. However, she recommends feeding your dog a grain-inclusive senior diet, as long as they aren't sensitive to grains. Freeman says some evidence suggests grain-free dog food can increase the risk of specific types of irreversible heart damage in dogs — namely, canine cardiomyopathy (DCM), which leads to an enlarged heart. "Taking that into consideration, grain-free diets are not recommended for any dog," Freeman says. Because the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) doesn't set standards for senior pet foods, the diets can vary significantly, says Dr. Julie Churchill, a veterinary nutritionist and professor of nutrition at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine. However, the best dry and wet food for senior dogs will meet the AAFCO nutritional standards for adult maintenance or all life stages. Senior pups also have a lower metabolic rate than younger dogs, so some senior diets may contain fewer calories. Others are higher in calories to meet the needs of older dogs who eat smaller portions. Foods with added protein to help maintain lean muscle may also have more calories. 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.No, our entire grain free wet dog food range can be fed to dogs as a topper to any of our dry foods or as a complete meal on its own. Does Skinner’s use mixed protiens in their recipes? Our experts say the following criteria are important to consider when shopping for senior dog food: Wet dog food has a higher moisture content, typically 75% to 78%, whereas dry dog food contains only about 10% to 12% moisture. This is a perk for pups prone to dehydration or ones with reduced kidney function, which is common in older dogs, says Dr. Mark Freeman, a veterinarian and assistant professor of community practice at Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine. We've also had the chance to get input from our dogs by feeding them many different brands and types of food, some of which we included in this guide.

Luisana says the age at which dogs are considered seniors can vary based on breed size. Smaller dogs may not reach senior status until age 10 or 11 since they generally have longer life spans than other pups.The best senior dog food provides tailored nutrition for aging pups. Your pup may benefit from foods for older dogs if they show signs of aging, such as decreased mobility, muscle loss, or cognitive decline. These foods often include beneficial additions like glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health, antioxidants to counter the effects of aging, and extra omega fatty acids to reduce inflammation. 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. While you'll find wet food generally contains more fat per serving than dry food, it tends to have fewer calories per serving than kibble, and the water content can be more filling. When it comes to protein, the AAFCO recommends a minimum of 18% for adult dogs, but Luisana says senior dogs experiencing muscle loss may need more, and pups with renal or liver disease may need less. Because dogs age differently and senior dog food diets vary significantly, there's no single best senior dog food. Adult dogs should eat complete and balanced food formulated for adult maintenance or all life stages. The AAFCO doesn't set standards for senior pet foods, so senior dog food recipes can vary significantly. This makes it important to talk to your vet about the most appropriate food for your dog's specific needs. Should older dogs eat senior dog food?

Finding a food that your dog enjoys and knowing they will thrive on when they have a sensitive digestive system can be a challenge, but it isn’t impossible. Our wet food range has been formulated with the nutritional requirements of working dogs and dietary sensitivities in mind. Freeman says it's not unhealthy to transition older dogs to a senior diet based on their age alone. However, a more reliable indicator is overall healthier rather than age. Some dogs remain healthy throughout their senior years, so they may not need or benefit from a senior diet like other dogs might, he says.Giving less food can be a successful approach to weight loss, but there is the risk of not providing adequate nutrition," says Freeman. Alternatively, your veterinarian might suggest a specialized weight-loss diet formulated to meet your dog's nutritional requirements in fewer calories. Our recommendations for the best dog food for weight loss are formulated to keep your pup fuller for longer without sacrificing essential vitamins and nutrients.