8 Best Foods for Senior Dogs in 2025, Recommended by Vets

Purina ONE made the list as a cost-conscious option that still offers a complete and balanced diet for senior dogs.

Formulated soft kibble for picky eaters, it includes MCT (an oil that offers many health benefits), added antioxidants, and glucosamine for healthy joints.

Some dogs may be sensitive to chicken, its first ingredient. So, you might want to consider Purina’s PRO line (another favorite of our panel) for them. 

Designed for dogs 7 years old and older, Purina’s Pro Plan Bright Mind provides extra brain protection in a balanced, high-quality food.

Real chicken is the first ingredient, and the formulation includes the omega-3 fatty acid EPA (great for brain support), plus glucosamine to support healthy joints and probiotics for the immune system.

Our vets singled this out as a good over-the-counter option for older dogs or dogs experiencing cognitive decline. 

The Hill’s Science Diet line of dog foods earns consistent top marks from our vets, and this option for seniors is no exception. It’s a lower-protein option (19%), which makes it a great choice for older dogs that require less protein in their diet (always talk to your vet before switching foods).

Our vets also liked that it contains ingredients they described as “very high quality,” and includes fish oil to support brain health and L-carnitine to promote healthy muscles.

This is considered a higher-end food and may be more expensive than some other options.

Royal Canin is a go-to brand for our vet panel, including this food formulated for large-breed senior dogs over 8 years of age. Our panel described this food as a “superb quality dry food” that features chicken by-product meal as the first ingredient and is designed to be easy to digest.

It can be rehydrated with water to create a more palatable option. Additionally, added glucosamine, antioxidants, and omega-3 fatty acids support healthy joint function, immune system function, and brain health.

This food has been formulated for larger breeds, and our panel suggests it may not be a good option for smaller or toy breeds. It's also more expensive than some other options.

Formerly known as the SAVOR Shredded Blend Chicken and Rice Formula, this option is a good all-around food from Purina’s high-quality Pro Plan line. It features chicken as the first ingredient and mixed texture food, with both crunchy kibble and softer, meaty morsels.

Nutritional support includes the addition of the omega-3 fatty acid EPA for brain health and glucosamine for joint health. Our vets liked this as a highly palatable option (dogs love the shredded chicken pieces) that offers the same quality as more pricey brands.

This formula from Purina’s Pro Plan line was created for dogs that may have trouble digesting richer options. It’s formulated with salmon as the first ingredient and includes rice and oatmeal to improve digestion.

Additional nutrition support is offered with the omega-3 fatty acid EPA for brain health, plus prebiotics, antibiotics, and glucosamine to support healthy joints.

Our vets singled out Eukanuba’s Senior Dry Dog for its focus on dental protection—an important concern for senior dogs.

The formulation also contains supplements like DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid, and glucosamine that are designed to support healthy function of the brain, joints, and immune system.

Our vets also liked that this is the only food on the list that contains lamb, which provides an alternative protein source. It’s notable, however, that it does chicken so may not be suitable for dogs with chicken allergies.

Iams Proactive Healthy Aging dry food earned high marks as an affordable option that provides a balanced diet. With chicken as the first ingredient, it also includes supplements like DHA and antioxidants that support healthy joint, immune, and digestive health.

The panel cautioned, however, that senior dogs with sensitive stomachs might react to the chicken, and it’s not recommended for dogs with chicken allergies.