Best Dog Food For Large Senior Breeds: Reviews & Top Picks

Written by: Bojana Radulovic

Senior dogs have different care and nutrition requirements than younger dogs do.

As dogs age, they become more fragile, and less mobile, while their hearing and sight tend to get worse.

Next to these issues, they often face diabetes, heart disease, or skin problems – many problems that may be avoided thanks to proper nutrition.

To avoid or postpone certain issues in dogs, it’s useful to feed them properly. Not sure how?

Scroll down to discover and find the best food recommendation for large senior breeds.

How we chose

Because choosing the right food for your dog can be confusing and overwhelming, we reviewed all dog foods.

Every product on our list has been vetted to ensure that it aligns with Barking Royalty’s brand integrity standards and approach to well-being. Each product in this article:

  • adheres to allowable health claims and labeling requirements
  • is manufactured in facilities that adhere to current good manufacturing practices (CGMPs)
  • is produced by a medically credible company that follows ethical, legal, and industry best standards
  • is made by a company that provides objective measures of trust

Additional factors we considered included:

  • Ingredients. We looked for supplements that are free of unnecessary ingredients such as fillers and artificial
  • sweeteners and colors.
  • AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profile. We checked if the food meets the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO.
  • Price. We included products to suit a range of budgets.

Best Food For Large Senior Breeds

Large-size dogs are considered to be seniors once they turn eight or nine years, depending on the exact breed.

Once your dog enters his senior years, he will need special care and very specific nutrition.

One of the most common issues that large-size dogs face is obesity.

Make sure that you know how much you should feed your dog and how to read pet food labels.

For any doubt or health-related suspicion or question make sure that you talk with your veterinarian first. For the best food recommendations for large senior dogs, check the list below.

Best Overall

1. Orijen Senior Dog Food

Top five ingredients in this formula: Deboned chicken, deboned turkey, Atlantic flounder, cage-free eggs, whole Atlantic mackere

  • Price: $$
  • Energy: 3,630 kcal/kg, 417 kcal/cup
  • AAFCO Profile: Large Senior DogFood
  • Grain-free: Yes
Crude Protein 38.0% min
Crude Fat 15.0% min
Crude Fiber 8.0% min
Moisture 12.0% max
Omega-3 Fatty Acids0.8% min
Omega-6 Fatty Acids3.0% min
Omega-6 To Omega-3 Ratio3.75, healthy

The first ingredient in this formula is deboned chicken for better taste and protein source, followed by deboned turkey, Atlantic flounder, cage-free eggs, and whole Atlantic mackerel.

The top five ingredients are carefully selected to provide enough protein that is beneficial for muscles, especially in senior dogs.

This formula comes with up to 85% premium animal ingredients that come with the proper mix of vitamins, minerals, and proteins.

For a richer taste, this formula contains whole pumpkin and natural chicken flavor.

To help seniors dogs with digestion and a more robust gut, Orijen Senior Dog Food includes entire red lentils, whole peas, collard greens, and whole apples and pears.

Dried kelp is there to provide a rich natural source of salts and minerals.

Like dried chicory root reduces inflammation in dogs, turmeric supports healthy joint mobility and comfort.

Shop Now At Chewy

Best Budget

2. Victor Senior Dog Food

Top five ingredients in this formula: Beef meal, whole grain brown rice, whole grain millet, grain sorghum, chicken fat

  • Price: $$
  • Energy: 3385 kcal/kg, 360 kcal/cup
  • AAFCO Profile: Senior Dog Food
  • Grain-free: No
Crude Protein 27.0% min
Crude Fat 11.5% min
Crude Fiber 4.5% min
Moisture 9.0% max
Omega-3 Fatty Acids0.4% min
Omega-6 Fatty Acids2.6% min
Omega-6 To Omega-3 Ratio6.5, healthy

Beef meal is the first ingredient in this formula, to serve as a quality protein source, that helps senior dogs to build their muscles.

Next to the beef meal, whole grain brown rice, whole grain millet, grain sorghum, and chicken fat are among the top five ingredients to help create a strong protein base.

For senior dogs to thrive they should be served a minimum of 18% of protein per meal, as loss of muscle mass is a big problem in older dogs.

Nutrition with high-quality protein is what matters and keeps them active.

Victor Senior Healthy formula is sourced and made in the States with high-quality beef, chicken, and fish.

This formula is promoted as a great choice for less active dogs and breeds that are prone to joint issues. For richer flavor, this formula contains carrot powder, tomato pomace, and peas.

Shop Now At Chewy

Best Grain-Free

3. Wellness Core Senior Dog Food

Top five ingredients in this formula: Deboned turkey, chicken meal, lentils, dried ground potatoes, peas

  • Price: $$
  • Energy: This food contains 3,452 kcal/kg or 359 kcal/cup ME (metabolizable energy) on an as fed basis.
  • AAFCO Profile: Grain-Free Food
  • Grain-free: Yes
Crude Protein 32.0% min
Crude Fat 12.0% min
Crude Fiber 6.25% min
Moisture 10.0% max
Omega-3 Fatty Acids1.25% min
Omega-6 Fatty Acids3.25% min
Omega-6 To Omega-3 Ratio2.6, healthy

The first ingredient in this formula is deboned turkey, a rich source of digestible proteins that are great for building muscles in dogs.

Deboned turkey is followed by a chicken meal, lentils, dried ground potatoes, and peas.

This formula offers a balanced diet with 359 kcal per cup. As a grain-free formula, Wellness Core Senior Dog Food offers a richness of omega fatty acids thanks to salmon oil, glucosamine, and chondroitin.

These three ingredients (fatty acids, glucosamine, and chondroitin ) are great for joint health with optimal calories.

When balanced in such a manner it offers great space for weight control.

For better digestion and a stronger gut, this formula offers real fruit and vegetable such as apples, parsley, blueberries, and kale.

Supported by glucosamine and chondroitin, this formula is great support for joint and hip health.

Shop Now At Chewy

4. Purina Pro Plan Senior Dog Food

Top five ingredients in this formula: Chicken, poultry by-product meal, brewers rice, whole grain corn, whole grain wheat

  • Price: $$
  • Energy: 3791 kcal/kg, 423 kcal/cup
  • AAFCO Profile: Senior Dog Food
  • Grain-free: No
Crude Protein 29.0% min
Crude Fat 14.0% min
Crude Fiber 3.0% min
Moisture 12.0% max
Omega-3 Fatty Acids0.45% min
Omega-6 Fatty Acids1.8% min
Omega-6 To Omega-3 Ratio4.0, healthy

Chicken is the first ingredient in this formula for better taste and nutrition, followed by poultry by-product meal, brewers rice, whole grain corn, and whole grain wheat.

The top five ingredients are carefully mixed to serve as a strong protein base and help senior dogs preserve their muscles.

Senior dogs are prone to muscle loss, and food packed with protein helps them maintain their muscles and keep their muscles lean.

For a richer taste, vegetable oil and pearled barley are added to this formula, while dried egg product enables an additional protein boost.

Soybean oil and fish meal should make chewing easier and provide easier digestion in general. Soybean oil is also rich in antioxidants supporting a dog’s immune system.

Shop Now At Chewy

5. GO!Carnivore Senior Dog Food

Top five ingredients in this formula: Chicken meal, turkey meal, salmon meal, de-boned chicken, de-boned turkey

  • Price: $$
  • Energy: 3,756 kcal/kg, 394 kcal/cup
  • AAFCO Profile: Grain-free Food
  • Grain-free: Yes
Crude Protein 32.0% min
Crude Fat 14.0% min
Crude Fiber 4.5% min
Moisture 10.0% max
Omega-3 Fatty Acids0.33% min
Omega-6 Fatty Acids1.8% min
Omega-6 To Omega-3 Ratio5.45, healthy

Chicken is considered lean meat that is easy to digest and great to mix with other ingredients.

For these reasons, chicken is often present as the main ingredient of dog food.

The first ingredient of this formula is a chicken meal to serve as a protein and energy source, followed by a turkey meal, salmon meal, de-boned chicken, and de-boned turkey.

Each of the top five ingredients is high in protein and great when it comes to providing an additional energy boost.

With so a strong protein base, a proper amount of energy should be seen in senior dogs after every meal.

For extra flavor, this formula contains potatoes, peas, and lentils. Tapioca is added to support digestive health, while pea fiber, apples, pumpkin, salmon oil, and carrots should provide enough fiber.

To provide higher bone density this formula contains broccoli which is rich in vitamin K.

Shop Now At Chewy

6. Nulo Freestyle Grain-Free Senior Dog Food

Top five ingredients in this formula: Deboned trout, turkey meal, salmon meal, yellow peas, sweet potato

  • Price: $$
  • Energy: 3,359 kcal/kg, 396 kcal/cup
  • AAFCO Profile: Grain-free
  • Grain-free: Yes
Crude Protein 30.0% min
Crude Fat 12.0% min
Crude Fiber 5.0% min
Moisture 10.0% max
Omega-3 Fatty Acids0.35% min
Omega-6 Fatty Acids1.3% min
Omega-6 To Omega-3 Ratio3.71, healthy

Deboned trout is the first ingredient in this formula to provide enough protein, followed by turkey meal, salmon meal, yellow peas, and sweet potato.

The first five ingredients are combined to provide senior dogs with a grain-free meal that is completely free from any sort of chicken and egg proteins.

This formula strives to provide protein from fish primarily, followed by turkey and sweet potato for the proper energy amount.

To help senior dogs with digestion, the Nulo Freestyle Grain-Free Senior Dog Food formula contains pure probiotics, and L-Carnitine to support an older dog’s metabolism.

Thanks to glucosamine and chondroitin this formula should support him and joint health, while calcium and phosphorus help your dog maintain strong bones.

Shop Now At Chewy

7. Diamond Naturals Senior Dog Food

Top five ingredients in this formula: Chicken, chicken meal, whole grain brown rice, ground white rice, egg

  • Price: $$
  • Energy: 3,400 kcal/kg, 347 kcal/cup
  • AAFCO Profile: Senior Dog Food
  • Grain-free: No
Crude Protein 25.0% min
Crude Fat 11.0% min
Crude Fiber 3.0% min
Moisture 10.0% max
Omega-3 Fatty Acids0.3% min
Omega-6 Fatty Acids2.2% min
Omega-6 To Omega-3 Ratio7.33, healthy

Chicken is the first ingredient in this formula for a richer taste and better nutrition, followed by a chicken meal, whole grain brown rice, ground white rice, and egg.

This formula is USA-made using quality ingredients to meet the needs of aging dogs.

As a formula made from domestic and global sources, Diamond Naturals Senior Dog Chicken, Egg and Oatmeal recipe brings balanced protein and fat levels, that next to omega fatty acids keep the dog’s coat and skin healthy.

Not only that omega fatty acids make dogs’ coat and skin healthy, but it also helps dogs have a very shiny coat.

Thanks to cage-free chicken and glucosamine and chondroitin this food aims to support joint health in senior dogs.

Made without corn, wheat, artificial flavors, or colors, this formula helps support healthy digestion in dogs and overall wellness.

Shop Now At Chewy

8. Canidae Grain-Free Senior Dog Food

Top five ingredients in this formula: Chicken, chicken meal, turkey meal, sweet potatoes, garbanzo beans

  • Price: $$
  • Energy: 3,300 kcal/kg, 1,496 kcal/lb, 409 kcal/cup
  • AAFCO Profile: Grain-free Food
  • Grain-free: Yes
Crude Protein 28.0% min
Crude Fat 10.0% min
Crude Fiber 5.0% min
Moisture 10.0% max
Omega-3 Fatty Acids0.1% min
Omega-6 Fatty Acids2.0% min
Omega-6 To Omega-3 Ratio20.0, healthy

The first ingredient in this formula is chicken to serve as the main protein source, followed by a chicken meal, turkey meal, sweet potatoes, and garbanzo beans.

The last ingredient in the top five ingredients (garbanzo beans) may seem unusual, as it is not commonly seen in dog food.

However, this ingredient is a rich source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

It contains iron, manganese, folate, vitamin A, and vitamin C. This formula is uniquely made of just nine real food ingredients that are carefully blended to help dogs feel their best.

As grain-free food, the Canidae Grain-Free Pure Senior Formula contains no artificial flavors, colors, or preservatives.

Shop Now At Chewy

9. Merrick Grain-Free Senior Dog Food

Top five ingredients in this formula: Deboned chicken, chicken meal, sweet potatoes, potatoes, turkey meal

  • Price: $$
  • Energy: 3492 kcal/kg, 370 kcal/cup
  • AAFCO Profile: Senior Dog Food
  • Grain-free: Yes
Crude Protein 30.0% min
Crude Fat 12.0% min
Crude Fiber 3.5% min
Moisture 11.0% max
Omega-3 Fatty Acids0.30% min
Omega-6 Fatty Acids3.0% min
Omega-6 To Omega-3 Ratio10.0, healthy

Deboned chicken is the primary ingredient to provide a better taste and strong nutrition, followed by chicken meal, sweet potatoes, potatoes, and turkey meal.

For a richer taste salmon oil and chicken fat are added, while sunflower oil should provide better digestion.

Great dog food should contain enough fibers to help a dog with digestion, which is especially important for senior dogs.

Real fruit and vegetables are added to this formula for vitamins, minerals, fiber, and a stronger immune system.

Apples and blueberries, enable essential vitamins and can boost energy while supporting optimal weight.

Shop Now At Chewy

The Bottom Line

Large senior dogs need food that is rich in protein. Senior dogs need special care, and the best care possible starts with great nutrition.

Since senior dogs tend to lose a lot of their protein mass, the best way to keep them vital is to serve them food that is packed with high-quality protein.

Whenever possible, feed your Fido with grain-free food no keep any artificial ingredients away.

Make sure that you provide enough exercise, implement a regular exercise regime for your elderly dog, and do not underestimate the strength of regular veterinarian check-ups.