Is Senior Dog Food Necessary? Understanding the Difference Between Senior, Mature and Adult Dog Foods

In general, dogs are considered to be senior around the age of 6-7 years. Sometimes you’ll see this age described as ‘mature adult’, with some companies specifying ‘senior’ as a stage. But age 6-7 is around the time that you should be thinking about switching away from normal adult food.

This will vary between individual dogs and also between types and sizes of dog. In general, large and giant dogs live shorter lives than small and medium dogs, and they age more quickly. If you have a large dog, ask your vet when would be the right time to change. For example, this may be at 4-5 years of age for some of the giant breeds.

Also, make sure you know the subtle signs of ageing and what to look out for. There’s never a wrong time to switch your adult dog to a senior food if there are signs of ageing such as joint stiffness, weight gain and the like. As always, if ever you are in doubt, speak to your veterinarian.

If your dog is healthy and this is simply a life stage change, you can do this of your own accord over 5-7 days. Make sure you have enough adult food left to do a gradual introduction. Replace about a quarter of the adult food in each meal the first couple of days, and then increase it over the course of the week.

Most importantly, if you are making a big diet change, such as switching to a high-fibre, weight-control senior food or any dietetic food, always make sure you speak to your veterinarian first. Some of these foods may not be suitable for certain individual dogs and their lifestyle, breed or other health conditions.

There is an overwhelming choice of pet foods these days, so how do you know what’s best? Here are some general tips of what to look for:

• Choose a complete and balanced food. This is very important, as it means that the food contains all the necessary nutrients in the right proportions for your dog’s life stage. This also means that you can feed your dog wet food, dry food or a combination of both to suit your dog’s needs and taste.
• Check that the food is appropriate for your dog’s age and size. Large and giant breeds have slightly different needs.

Of course, caring for your golden oldie isn’t just about great food. There are lots of things you can do to keep them young at heart and flourishing.

• Keep them slim! The importance of this can’t be overstated. Obesity is proven to increase the risk of disease and can shorten lifespans. 

• See your vet more often. All adult dogs should see their vet at least once a year, but mature or senior dogs should go at least twice a year. Your vet can guide you as to when to increase the visits, depending on your dog’s health concerns or risks. Regular blood and urine tests help to catch diseases as early as possible.

• Be observant and watch for:

  • Deteriorating sight or hearing.

  • Cognitive changes such as confusion, broken sleep patterns, barking at odd times and loss of toilet control.

  • Stiffness and signs of arthritis. There’s a lot you can change at home to make life much more comfortable for arthritic dogs.

  • Changes in thirst or appetite in either direction. These are often the first signs of diseases like kidney disease and diabetes.

  • Exercise intolerance that may signal onset of a heart condition.

  • Weight loss or gain. Again, unexpected changes in weight can be very early disease markers.

• Switch to shorter, more frequent walks, rather than long walks a few times a week. This helps keep older dogs moving. Avoid repetitive exercise like fetching.

Switching to a senior food when the time is right brings many benefits for the longer term health of your dog. If you are unsure when to make the switch to a senior food, ask your veterinarian when they think the time is right for your pet. Optimal nutrition and regular contact with your vet will help to ensure that you have as long as possible with your beautiful, furry best friend.

Is senior dog food necessary? 

Yes, for optimal support for your ageing dog.

What is the difference between adult and senior dog food? 

Senior foods tend to be lower calorie and high in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids to combat inflammation. They also tend to have lower levels of high-quality, easily digestible protein as well as lower amounts of certain minerals to put less stress on ageing organs.

When is my dog senior? When should I switch foods? 

It varies. Most dogs are considered senior at 7+ years, but in general, the larger the dog, the faster they age. Some giant breeds might be considered senior at 5 years, while smaller dogs like a Jack Russell would be considered senior at 8-9 years. If in doubt, ask your vet when is the right time to switch.

What signs of ageing should I look for in my dog? 

Keep an eye out for decline in your dog’s sight and hearing/recall; cognitive changes like confusion, vocalisation at odd times, broken sleep patterns, loss of toilet control and reduced interaction with people; stiffness, fear of slippery floors and reluctance to jump onto furniture or into the car; and changes in weight, appetite or thirst. These are often the earliest markers of disease.

Reviewed by Becky Mullis, DVM, DACVIM (Nutrition)