Senior dog feeding guide

February 28, 2026

At some point, your dog hits senior status and everything about their diet needs a second look. The tricky part is that "senior" does not mean the same thing for every dog. A Great Dane is geriatric at 6. A Chihuahua might not slow down until 12. The general rule: large breeds are senior at 6-7 years, medium breeds at 7-9, and small breeds at 9-11.

What changes as dogs age, and what does that mean for feeding? More than most people realize.

Calorie needs shift — but not always down

The common advice is "senior dogs need fewer calories." That is true for many dogs, but not all. Roughly 60% of senior dogs need fewer calories because they are less active and their metabolism slows. But about 30% of senior dogs actually need more calories because they start losing muscle mass and have trouble maintaining weight.

The remaining 10% stay roughly the same as their adult needs. So "just switch to senior food" is an oversimplification. Start by evaluating your dog’s current body condition:

• Overweight seniors: reduce calories by 15-20% from their adult intake
• Healthy weight seniors: maintain current calories but monitor monthly
• Underweight seniors: increase calories by 10-20% and consider more calorie-dense food

The protein myth

For decades, vets recommended lower protein for senior dogs to "protect the kidneys." This has been largely debunked. Research from Purina and multiple veterinary universities has shown that healthy senior dogs actually benefit from maintained or increased protein levels. Protein helps preserve lean muscle mass, which is the main thing aging dogs lose.

The exception: dogs with diagnosed kidney disease should follow their vet’s specific protein recommendations. But for a healthy senior, protein in the 25-30% range (dry matter basis) is appropriate. Do not drop protein just because your dog is old.

Joint support through food

By the time a dog shows visible signs of joint stiffness, the cartilage has been deteriorating for a while. Many senior dog foods include glucosamine and chondroitin. These supplements have modest but real evidence behind them — they will not reverse arthritis, but they may slow its progression.

If your food does not include joint supplements, consider adding them separately. Typical doses are 500mg glucosamine per 25 lbs of body weight daily. Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA from fish oil) also help with joint inflammation. Look for 20-30 mg combined EPA+DHA per pound of body weight.

Feeding frequency for older dogs

Consider moving from two meals to three smaller meals daily for senior dogs. Smaller, more frequent meals are easier on aging digestive systems. They also help maintain more stable blood sugar levels, which matters more as dogs age and become more prone to metabolic issues.

Dental considerations

Dental disease affects over 80% of dogs by age three, and it only gets worse with time. By the senior years, many dogs have missing teeth, gum disease, or both. If your dog is eating slower, dropping food, or showing less enthusiasm for meals, dental pain could be the cause.

Options for dogs with dental issues:

• Switch to smaller kibble that is easier to chew
• Add warm water to kibble and let it soften for 5-10 minutes
• Mix in wet food for palatability and easier eating
• For severe dental issues, feed exclusively wet or fresh food

Water intake matters more

Senior dogs are more prone to dehydration, especially those with kidney issues. Monitor water intake — a healthy dog should drink roughly 1 ounce of water per pound of body weight daily. If your senior is drinking significantly more or less than that, mention it to your vet. Excessive thirst can signal kidney disease, diabetes, or Cushing’s disease.

Adding water or low-sodium broth to meals is an easy way to boost hydration for seniors that do not drink enough on their own.

For more on how calorie needs change with age, see our general feeding guide. And if your senior is overweight, our body condition guide can help you assess where they stand.