As dogs get older, their nutritional needs shift — and what worked perfectly well for them at age three isn't necessarily still the right fit at age ten. Here's what tends to change, and how to think about feeding an aging dog well.
How Nutritional Needs Change With Age
A few common shifts as dogs move into their senior years:
- Slower metabolism, which often means fewer calories are needed to maintain a healthy weight
- Joint wear, where ingredients that support joint health become more of a priority
- Changes in digestion, sometimes making a highly digestible, simpler recipe more appealing than it was in earlier years
- Dental changes, which can make texture — softer kibble, or rehydrated freeze-dried raw — more comfortable to eat
None of this means every senior dog needs a dramatically different diet overnight, but it's worth paying attention to as the years go on, ideally in partnership with your vet during regular checkups.
Choosing a Recipe for an Older Dog
Open Farm doesn't currently market a food specifically labeled “senior,” so the more useful approach is choosing based on your individual dog's needs rather than an age label on the bag:
- If digestibility and simplicity matter most, Goodbowl Wild-Caught Salmon & Brown Rice offers a gentle, oven-baked kibble with a short ingredient list.
- If your dog needs more protein density but has a smaller appetite, a freeze-dried raw recipe like Grass-Fed Beef — rehydrated for easier chewing — can pack more nutrition into a smaller volume of food.
- If weight management has become a concern, your vet can help you calculate an appropriate calorie target and portion size for any of Open Farm's recipes, since portion control often matters more than which specific recipe you choose.
Softening Food for Dental Comfort
If your senior dog has lost teeth or developed dental sensitivity, rehydrating kibble with a little warm water, or feeding freeze-dried raw rehydrated rather than dry, can make mealtime considerably more comfortable without switching to an entirely different food.
Watching for Signs That Warrant a Vet Visit
Age-related changes are normal, but some symptoms are worth flagging to your vet rather than just adjusting the diet on your own — noticeable weight loss or gain, a sudden change in appetite, increased thirst or urination, or new stiffness and reluctance to move. These can be normal aging, or they can be early signs of something that needs medical attention, and it's worth getting a professional opinion either way.
Shop for Your Senior Dog at The Hungry Puppy
You can find Goodbowl, Grass-Fed Beef freeze-dried raw, and the rest of our dog food selection at The Hungry Puppy. Freeze-dried orders of $75 or more ship free nationwide, and auto-delivery subscriptions save you 6% on every order — useful if your senior dog is now eating smaller, more frequent meals.
We've been helping Farmingdale-area families care for their aging dogs since 1987. If you want help thinking through the right food for your senior dog, give us a call at 732-938-4470.