Feeding a Senior Dog: What Changes With Age

How a dog's nutrition needs shift as they age, how to watch weight and appetite, and when to call your vet.

Dogs are generally considered seniors from around age 7, but it depends on size: giant breeds age sooner, and small dogs later. As dogs slow down, their food needs can change too.

Calories often drop, but not always

Many older dogs are less active and lose muscle, so they need fewer calories than they did as adults. Our calculator has a Senior or low activity setting that uses a lower factor (1.4 instead of 1.6). For a 50-pound dog, that means roughly 1,020 calories a day instead of about 1,160.

However, some seniors become thin and need more, not fewer. Age alone does not tell you which. Body condition does: use our healthy weight check every few weeks and adjust.

Watch for these changes

• Weight gain from reduced exercise, which stresses aging joints.
• Weight loss that you did not plan. This can be a sign of illness or dental pain, so mention it to your vet.
• Appetite changes, such as eating less or being picky.
• Difficulty chewing, drooling, or dropping food, which can point to dental problems.
• Drinking and urinating much more than usual, which is worth a vet visit.

Practical feeding tips

• Keep meals measured. Free-feeding makes weight problems harder to spot.
• Consider smaller, more frequent meals if your dog has a reduced appetite, but keep the daily total the same.
• Soften hard kibble with warm water if chewing is difficult.
• Raised bowls or non-slip mats can help dogs with sore joints or arthritis.
• Keep fresh water available at all times.

Senior diets and supplements

Foods labeled for seniors are not all the same. Some are lower in calories, while others are designed to support joints or maintain muscle. Your vet may recommend a particular food, or a prescription diet for conditions like kidney disease. Do not start supplements without asking your vet first.

See your vet more often

Many vets suggest check-ups twice a year for seniors. Regular visits can catch kidney, heart, dental, and thyroid problems early, and your vet can give personal advice on food. If you switch foods, do it gradually: see how to switch dog food.

This is general information, not veterinary advice.

← All guides