Iams Proactive Health Dry Dog Food Beef Rice Dollar General

As our precious pups age, similarly to humans, they start to experience some physical and mental changes. Pet parents may not be aware of what they need to do as their dog gets older.

There may be a need to change the environment but more importantly, a focus on older dogs' diets is essential. Man's best friend usually eats kibble the majority of his life and as they get older switched to wet food.

Wet food has plenty of benefits. It's often easier for older dogs to eat, it has lower calories to prevent obesity, and protein, vitamins, and minerals to keep your senior pup in good health. Because soft food has a high water density, you won't have to worry about dehydration either.

Whether you're considering switching to wet food because of the additional fiber or you just need to hide your old dog's medication, we've found the four best options available. There's something for everyone and we're sure your dog will love the taste of our picks!

To make it easy for you, there's a handy buyer's guide that tells you about the importance of certain factors, such as your dog's age, that play a role when choosing one food over another. Let's get started with our top choice from Blue Buffalo!

A-Z-Animals Top Picks for Wet Food for Senior Dogs

Overall Best Wet Food for Senior Dogs: Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe Natural

When it comes to the best food for older dogs, Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe Natural Senior Wet Dog Food is our favorite. You can give it to your dog as a tasty treat, mix it in with their dry food, or feed it as a standalone meal.

One reason we chose this Blue Buffalo recipe as the best of the best is that it has real deboned chicken as the top ingredient. The order of ingredients is of major importance when choosing dog food and choosing an option with protein from a real source is key.

Your pooch will love the taste of the chicken and appreciate that there aren't any animal by-products. It's formulated for dogs of all ages and designed in a pat-style to make it easy to chew and swallow.

There are wholesome, hearty grains including brown rice and barley that will give your senior pup plenty of energy. The bits of carrots, sweet potatoes, blueberries, and cranberries add a tasty tang that makes each bite packed with flavor.

Overall Best

Best US-Made Wet Food for Senior Dogs: Hill's Science Diet Wet Dog Food

Speaking of wet food for senior dogs, if you're looking for one of the best foods for older dogs that are packed with high-quality ingredients, consider the Hill's Science Diet Wet Dog Food, Adult 7+ for Senior Dogs. Pet parents love that it's made in the USA with ingredients from around the world.

One reason older dogs can benefit from this wet food from Hill's Science is because of the powerful blend of antioxidants. All the ingredients in it are natural and even veterinarians recommend it.

There is high-quality protein to keep your dog full for longer and help build strong muscle mass. Hill's Science also added Omega-6 fatty acids and vitamin E to keep your pooches hair, skin, joints, and vision in good health.

Made with chicken, brown rice, beef, and barely, this food has all the nutrients your dog will need. It's easily digestible and the taste is unbeatable.

Best US-Made

Best Value Wet Food for Senior Dogs: IAMS PROACTIVE HEALTH SENIOR Soft Wet Dog Food Paté

I don't know about you, but spending more than you need to on wet dog food for your senior dog doesn't sound necessary. Luckily, we've found IAMS PROACTIVE HEALTH SENIOR Soft Wet Dog Food Paté to be the perfect budget-friendly option.

This is one of the best foods for older dogs because the chicken and rice were slow-cooked to bring out all of the scrumptious flavors. Senior dogs find this food and its formula easy to chew and swallow.

Like others on this list, IAMS PROACTIVE HEALTH SENIOR Soft Wet Dog Food Paté is made using omega fatty acids that are beneficial to your dog's coat, skin, eyes, and joints. If you have younger pups as well, you can feed them this IAMS wet food as long as they're older than a year!

There are multiple flavors to choose from, including chicken, lamb, and beef. There are wholesome grains to keep your dog's energy high and the added vitamins and minerals support the overall health of your pup.

Best Value

Best Wet Food for Senior Dogs in Gravy: Purina Pro Plan High Protein, Senior Wet Dog Food

Who doesn't love a bit of gravy? When it comes to the best food for older dogs, Purina Pro Plan High Protein, Senior Wet Dog Food takes our fourth and final spot. It's designed for dogs that are at least seven years of age.

While it's available in several different flavors, the senior beef and rice entree seems to be the favorite of most canines. Your dog will benefit from the real beef and high-quality grains to keep them healthy.

It's not uncommon for senior dogs to struggle with digestion and this food is known for being easily digestible. Pet owners love that there aren't any added artificial dyes or preservatives. On the other hand, the 23 essential vitamins and minerals are something dog parents can't get enough of!

Best Food in Gravy

Choosing the Best: What to Look For

Let's have a look at a few things to think about before you pick a wet dog food for your older dog. This isn't a decision to be made lightly, as the dog food you pick can have a significant impact on your dog's attitude, wellness, and overall quality of life. While comparing different brands of dog food, keep the following considerations in mind.

Protein

Because dogs are mostly carnivores, they need a lot of protein to meet their nutritional needs. Senior dogs, on the other hand, require even more protein than adult dogs. Your pup needs protein to build and repair compromised tissue in the body.

Amino acids are a form of protein that helps the muscles repair themselves when the dog is not utilizing them. Senior dogs ingest more protein than pups or adult dogs, implying that they require more protein to function in daily life. The more protein your senior dog consumes, the better his or her body can heal.

Fiber

Fiber will aid to manage your senior dog's digestive tract and bowel motions, making potty outings more consistent and less unpleasant. Changes in this area might be concerning for dogs who aren't aware of what's going on, so increasing their fiber intake is essential when choosing a wet food for your older dog.

Having said that, you should continue to keep an eye on your dog while altering its fiber intake. If you increase the volume of fiber in their diet and they start to have digestive problems or loose stools, you should gradually reduce the amount of fiber until you achieve the proper balance.

Calories

Obesity is common in senior dogs because they become tired faster and do not move as much. It's usual for senior dogs to rest more and want to take a break from racing after a ball. As a result, calorie tracking is another responsibility for older dog owners.

In addition, the number of calories your elderly dog needs to sustain its weight is determined by their present weight and the level of exercise they get. When in doubt, look for help from your veterinarian. As a general guideline, give your dog half a can of for every ten pounds they weigh.

Fatty Acids

Omega 3s and Omega 6s are fatty acids that can support your older dog when it comes to preventing cardiac issues, which is one of the primary things people want to avoid. Fatty acids will function in tandem with the antioxidants in senior dog food to maintain their minds sharp and active.

Maintaining your dog's mental activity can help them avoid the indications of aging and cherish their golden years. No one wants to see their pet's mental health degrade over time, so check for fatty acids and antioxidants in the ingredient list.

Ingredients

Natural ingredients are always the safest for dogs, regardless of their age. This usually means fewer calories and no unnecessary filler items for your dog's diet. Dogs, like people, should eat a diverse diet in order to receive the most benefits from it.

Natural ingredients will provide your dog with more minerals and vitamins, which will make them feel more energetic, improve their cognition and brain function, and avoid health concerns that will damage their quality of life. Grains like rice are frequently included in dog food to thicken the consistency and virtually always increase the number of carbs in each serving.

Moisture Content

Canned wet food contains 75% moisture and is the most costly type of cat food. Canned food is the most appetizing senior dog food for canines since it resembles fresh meats the most. The greatest shelf life is found in unopened canned foods, however, any opened cans must be chilled to extend their life.

Texture

If your elderly dog's gums and teeth are bothering him, he may require a softer wet dog food than usual. This might be in the shape of a mousse, pâté, or little meat bits. All of the canned foods described above have textures that are easy to consume and digest.

The Different Types of Wet Food for Senior Dogs: Pros and Cons Compared

Though there aren't necessarily different types of wet senior dog food, we still wanted to let you in on some of the benefits (and downfalls) of feeding your older dog this type of food instead of kibble. Let's take a look at the important information below.

Wet Dog Food

Pros	Cons
More water content	Expensive
Higher in protein	Quickly goes bad once opened
fewer carbs	Less energy-dense
Long shelf life when left unopened
Easier for older dogs to eat
You can hide medication in it
Can be given to dogs with dental issues

Verified Review: User Experience

We all know how important reviews are when trying a new product, that's probably why you're reading this in the first place! One pet owner can't get enough of our top Blue Buffalo choice and had this to say:

"I feed this to my three dachshunds who range in age from 9, 15, and 17. They all love it. No upset stomach or loose stools. That tends to happen with elderly dogs sometimes but not with this food. I've been feeding it for about 6 months now with no issues."

Some dog foods can take a while to get your pup to warm up to. Thankfully, dogs tend to like the tasty flavor of wet food more than kibble. For our IAMS choice above, a pet parent found it to be their saving grace.

"My little 14.5-year-old Shih-poo was on hospice and we tried this as a last-ditch to try to get him to eat a little something. It was a random purchase honestly. But he started showing interest and actually begging for it like his old annoying self, haha. He gained some strength back and is doing so much better that we no longer consider him on hospice. He loves to eat this, and is so much stronger and more vibrant!! This food literally saved my dog's life!"

Products For This Review

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Source: https://ghost.veriditas.org/reviews/best-wet-dog-food-for-senior-dogs/