Senior Dog Food – Good Nutrition for Older Dugs

Getting older doesn't mean slowing down completely. Plenty of senior dugs still have walks to enjoy, balls to chase and mischief to make.

But as dogs age, their nutritional needs can change. Activity levels, digestion, body condition and mobility can all become more important when choosing what's going into their bowl.

Explore our range of complete senior dog food, with carefully selected recipes designed to provide quality nutrition for older dogs while helping you choose according to your dug's individual needs.

Made in the UK using carefully selected ingredients and quality meat or fish, McDug gives older dugs good food for the next stage of the adventure.

When is a dog considered senior?

There's no single birthday when every dog suddenly becomes a senior.

Breed and size make a difference. Larger dogs generally reach their senior years earlier than smaller breeds, while some smaller dogs remain remarkably youthful well into later life.

Rather than concentrating entirely on age, look at the dug in front of you.

Changes in activity, weight, mobility, appetite, digestion and body condition can all help you decide whether it's time to reconsider their nutrition.

What should I look for in senior dog food?

Older dogs still need complete, balanced nutrition and good-quality protein.

The right recipe will depend on the individual dog. Some senior dugs become less active and need help maintaining a healthy weight, while others need sufficient energy and quality protein to help maintain good body condition.

When choosing food for an older dog, consider:

• Quality animal protein
• Appropriate calories for their activity and body condition
• Digestibility
• Support for joints and mobility
• Healthy fats and essential fatty acids
• Their individual tastes and nutritional needs

Age matters — but body condition and lifestyle matter too.

Nourish Grain Free Senior

Our Nourish senior recipes provide complete, grain-free nutrition using freshly prepared meat or fish alongside carefully selected ingredients such as sweet potato.

The ingredients are gently cooked using Freshtrusion® technology, helping protect their nutritional quality while creating a tasty, highly digestible kibble.

A good place to start if: you'd like a high-quality, grain-free recipe designed with an older dug in mind.

Nourish Plus Senior

For older dugs who deserve something a little special, Nourish Plus combines a high proportion of quality animal ingredients with carefully selected superfood vegetables and plant ingredients chosen for their nutritional benefits.

Our senior Nourish Plus recipes provide complete nutrition while giving owners a premium option for their dug's later years.

A good place to start if: ingredient quality, a high proportion of animal protein and the added nutritional benefits of superfood vegetables are important to you.

Weight and joints as dogs get older

Two things many owners begin watching more closely as their dug ages are waistlines and mobility.

As activity levels reduce, continuing to feed exactly the same amount can sometimes result in gradual weight gain. Carrying excess weight can then place additional strain on joints, making maintaining a healthy body condition particularly important for older dogs.

But don't assume every senior dog needs to lose weight.

Regularly look and feel for changes in your dog's body condition and adjust their portions according to their individual needs.

For older dogs who need more targeted nutritional support, our Health & Wellness Weight & Joint Care recipe may also be worth exploring.

Does an older dog still need plenty of protein?

Protein remains an important part of a dog's diet as they age.

Rather than simply looking for the lowest-protein food because your dog is older, concentrate on the quality of the complete diet and your dog's individual health, activity and body condition.

If your dog has a diagnosed medical condition that requires dietary changes, follow the advice of your vet.

How much should I feed my senior dog?

Start with the feeding guide for your chosen McDug recipe, but remember that it's a guide rather than a measurement of your individual dug's metabolism.

An older dog's calorie requirements can change as their activity changes.

Monitor their weight, waistline and overall body condition, then adjust their daily amount where necessary. And remember to include treats, chews and all those little extras that have a habit of appearing between meals.

Changing an older dog's food

There's no need to change a dog's diet simply because they've reached a particular birthday if they're thriving on their current food.

When you do decide to introduce a new recipe, make the transition gradually over several days by increasing the proportion of the new food while reducing their existing food.

Keep an eye on appetite, digestion, energy levels and, naturally, the poo.

Older dogs can sometimes be more sensitive to sudden changes, so a gradual transition makes sense.

Frequently Asked Questions

At what age should I switch my dog to senior food?

There's no universal age. Breed size, lifestyle and the individual dog all matter. Larger breeds generally enter their senior years earlier than smaller dogs.

Look at your dog's overall condition and needs rather than changing their food solely because they've reached a particular birthday.

Is senior dog food lower in calories?

Some senior recipes are formulated with weight management in mind because many dogs become less active as they age, but lower calorie isn't automatically right for every older dog.

Choose according to your dog's activity, weight and body condition.

Is grain-free food suitable for senior dogs?

It can be.

Being grain-free doesn't automatically make a food better or worse. What's more important is the nutritional balance of the complete recipe and how well it suits your individual dog.

My older dog is gaining weight. What should I do?

Start by reviewing their total daily intake, including treats and extras, alongside their activity levels.

Small changes in portions can make a significant difference over time. Our Health & Wellness Weight & Joint Care recipe is another option for dogs who would benefit from more targeted nutritional support.

If weight changes are unexplained or significant, speak to your vet.

What if my senior dog starts losing weight?

Unexplained weight loss in an older dog shouldn't simply be put down to ageing.

Speak to your vet so that potential underlying causes can be investigated before making significant dietary changes.

Should I change my dog's food if they're still doing well?

Not necessarily.

If your older dug is maintaining a healthy weight, has good digestion, enjoys their food and is thriving, age alone isn't necessarily a reason to change what you're feeding.

Not sure what your older dug needs?

Start with the dog in front of you.

Consider their body condition, activity, mobility, digestion and appetite, alongside their age and breed.

Then choose the McDug recipe that best fits where they are now — rather than simply what's written on their birth certificate.

And if you're unsure, ask Rab at McDug. We're an independent Scottish business and we're always happy to help you find the right bowl for your older dug.