What is the best food to feed my senior pet?

The short answer is “It depends…”; for the long answer, read on…  

Do I need to switch to a senior diet?

There is generally no need to change the diet for older cats and dogs that are healthy, provided the food they are currently eating is nutritionally complete and balanced. Most commercial pet foods meet this requirement but, to be certain, you should be able to find a “nutritional adequacy statement” somewhere on the packaging indicating the diet contains all the nutrients needed for maintenance of an adult pet. Foods marketed for aging pets may have additional ingredients like antioxidants, probiotics, and omega fatty acids but it’s not absolutely necessary to feed a “senior diet”. In fact, aging pets may be less amenable to a diet change so, if your dog or cat is healthy, it’s best to make no change at all. That said, as pets age, they may develop health concerns that could benefit from a modified nutritional approach. 

Managing Health Conditions: Arthritis and Kidney Disease

One of the most common concerns in older dogs is a decrease in mobility, often due to underlying arthritis. This condition is generally managed with a multi-pronged approach in which nutrition is only one component; physiotherapy, weight management, nutraceuticals, alternative medicine techniques, and prescription medications can also play a key role. Diets specific for dogs with arthritis contain various ingredients such as glucosamine, collagen, and chondroitin to support joint health.

In senior cats, one of the most frequently diagnosed conditions is kidney disease. Diet selection for these cats is dictated by the severity of their kidney disease and involves modest to significant restrictions in phosphorus, amongst other features. These specialized kidney diets are prescription foods for good reason: they should be fed under the supervision of a veterinarian as they are not always nutritionally complete and balanced due to their restricted phosphorus levels.

Of course, there are many other health conditions seen in aging pets that may call for a diet change and so it’s impossible to narrow the smorgasbord down to the one best diet for all senior pets. The better question to ask is “What is the best way to feed my senior pet?” Three universal features of nutritional management stand out: maintaining hydration, supporting mental well-being, and managing weight.

The Three Pillars of Senior Pet Nutrition

Hydration

Water consumption is obviously important for all pets however senior pets are at greater risk for dehydration, particularly with some underlying health conditions such as the aforementioned kidney disease as well as various endocrine disorders (diabetes, Cushing’s disease, etc.). Therefore, it is especially critical that aging pets consume adequate amounts of water. Including canned food as a component of a senior pet’s diet – or even simply adding water to the pet’s current food – can help boost moisture intake. Additionally, feeding wet or softened foods may help entice pets with a picky appetite and may be beneficial for dogs and cats with dental disease (although ultimately the latter should be receiving professional dental care as soon as possible). Other ways to ensure senior pets remain hydrated include having multiple fresh water sources available around the home, raising water bowls for easier access, and introducing a pet water fountain.

 Cognition

Dogs and cats can suffer from senility as they age, just as do some people. Some senior pet foods contain supplemental antioxidants and other ingredients to help mitigate this and support brain health. However, an excellent strategy to increase a pet’s mental stimulation is to introduce food puzzles, giving the brain a chance to “exercise”. These food-dispensing toys come in a wide array of formats with various levels of difficulty and experimenting with different options may be needed for the individual pet. They should be introduced slowly and under supervision to ensure the pet doesn’t get frustrated and still receives their full quota of daily calories. Once a pet has adapted to eating from a food puzzle, accumulating a few different options to rotate through their daily routine can keep meals engaging and interesting, slowing cognitive decline. (Read more about encouraging your pet to play with their food here.)

 Weight 

By far the best thing a caregiver can do for any pet, senior or otherwise, is to maintain – or strive to achieve – a healthy weight. Research has shown that pets with obesity have a considerably shortened lifespan; not only does obesity affect longevity, it also has a significant negative impact on quality of life. Pets with obesity are at greater risk for many diseases (arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, urinary tract infections, etc.), have higher levels of systemic inflammation, and may experience physical limitations (reduced mobility, difficulty breathing, heat intolerance, etc.) restricting their daily activities, all of which reduce quality – and quantity – of life.

Feeding your pet accurately is crucial to any weight management program, whether it be maintaining the pet’s current healthy weight, pursuing a weight loss program to address obesity, or trying to increase a lean pet’s weight. Using a digital kitchen scale to measure your pet’s food is optimal, especially with smaller pets and those with obesity. Measuring cups are surprisingly inaccurate for portioning dry pet food but they are at least a better choice compared to scoops, food containers, coffee mugs, etc. Portion control is not only imperative for weight loss but also helps caregivers identify a change in appetite more readily. If an exact amount of food is offered, it will quickly become obvious when a pet is not finishing their daily allotment which may lead to the identification of underlying health problems sooner, allowing for earlier – and potentially more successful – intervention. (For more information on feeding pets accurately, get the full scoop on portion control here.)

The Role of Treats and Portion Control

Managing treats and other foods is also key to weight management and to healthy nutrition in general. Treats should comprise no more than 10% of a pet’s total daily caloric intake; anything greater than this can result in the pet’s overall diet becoming unbalanced nutritionally. Treats, human foods, and other items fed (consumable chew toys, supplements, etc.) also may significantly increase a pet’s daily caloric intake, leading to or exacerbating obesity. (Learn more about treating your pet right here.) 

For pets that are overweight or obese, feeding a diet specifically formulated for safe and effective weight loss is paramount. These foods are supplemented with key nutrients such as protein, vitamins, and minerals to allow the pet to be fed at a restricted caloric intake without creating a nutritional deficiency over time. Additionally, weight loss diets are lower in caloric density compared to other maintenance foods, meaning the same volume of food can be fed while still implementing caloric restriction. Lastly, many weight loss formulations are designed to assist with managing hunger and begging behaviours through the addition of fibre, amongst other things, to help the pet feel full. A pet is never too old to consider pursuing a weight loss journey and even a small shift towards a healthier weight can have significant benefits to the pet’s quality of life. Weight loss programs should always be managed by a veterinary professional, especially in senior pets, to ensure safe progress and to maximize the likelihood of success.

When to Consult Your Veterinarian

Overall, your primary care veterinarian is the best resource for guidance on your senior pet’s nutrition. Routine physical examinations and screening diagnostic evaluations, such as bloodwork and urine testing, will help to answer the elusive “What is the best food to feed my senior pet?”, allowing your beloved companion to live their best life for as long as possible.

About the author

Dr. Kirsten Graham is honoured to be part of the Peaceful Passing team, supporting families and pets through the final stage of their journey together. She balances this meaningful work with her passion for nutrition, operating Graham Mobile Veterinary Weight Management Services, a house call and telemedicine practice with patients across Ontario. Established in 2021, Dr. Graham’s practice was the first of its kind to focus exclusively on improving the quality of life of pets through obesity treatment and prevention.