Life stage
Feeding a senior dog: what changes and what does not
Older dogs need fewer calories and more protein — the opposite of what most people assume. And a sudden fussy eater is usually a dog in pain.
What actually changes with age
Ageing in dogs is not a single process. Lean body mass falls, digestion becomes less efficient, kidney function declines gradually, and the senses dull. None of these changes happens on a fixed schedule, which is why "senior food" is a marketing category rather than a medical one. What matters is which changes are happening in your dog.
The most reliable rule is that energy needs drop by roughly 10–20% between middle age and old age, while protein and several micronutrients become more important, not less. The common mistake is to cut protein at the same time as calories, which accelerates muscle loss.
The protein question
For decades, owners were told to restrict protein in older dogs to "protect the kidneys". That advice has largely been reversed. Unless a dog has diagnosed kidney disease, older dogs generally need more high-quality protein than young adults, because their bodies are less efficient at using it and because muscle mass is being lost.
If your dog does have kidney disease, protein restriction may be appropriate — but the degree of restriction should come from bloodwork and a vet, not from a bag labelled "senior".
Five things to check monthly
| Check | What you are looking for |
|---|---|
| Weight | Two consecutive months of loss is a vet visit, not a diet success |
| Ribs and spine | Easy to feel but not visible; muscle wasting along the spine is common |
| Water intake | A sudden increase suggests kidney disease, diabetes or Cushing's |
| Mouth | Bad breath, drooling, chewing on one side — dental pain is often read as fussiness |
| Stairs and jumps | Hesitation is usually joint pain, not stubbornness |
When a senior dog stops eating
Appetite loss in an older dog is a symptom, not a behaviour. Work through this list before assuming fussiness:
- Dental pain — the most common and most missed cause. Check for broken teeth, tartar and red gums.
- Nausea — lip-licking, swallowing and eating grass point to stomach upset rather than fussiness.
- Reduced smell — warm the food slightly to release aroma. It genuinely helps.
- Bowl discomfort — a stiff neck makes a floor-level bowl painful. Raise it.
- Competition — a younger dog in the house may be eating the senior's food.
- Disease — kidney, liver, dental and dental-related disease, cancer and cognitive dysfunction all present with appetite loss.
If a senior dog refuses food for more than 24 hours, or loses weight over two months, that is a veterinary appointment rather than a food experiment.
Warm to body temperature, add a little warm water to kibble, mash harder pieces, and offer smaller meals more often. Three or four small meals suit many older dogs better than two large ones.
Joint supplements, omega-3s and probiotics can help specific problems, but they do not replace a proper diagnosis. Ask your vet before adding anything, particularly if your dog is on medication.