According to many veterinarians, the name senior when used on dogs basically refers to dogs that have reached 7 years of age. However, in my opinion, the rate of growth depends on the type of breed and therefore it might take longer or less for a specific dog to enter the ‘senior’ age.
Senior dogs, just like people, require keen and more special care compared to other dogs. This is so since senior dogs are more prone to certain medical conditions associated with aging. For example, they are more likely to develop orthopedic problems and may be prone to obesity which may consequently lead to constipation.
Senior dogs are also prone to losing muscle mass and decline in their cognitive function. As they age, dogs experience decreased ability to fight off infections, digestive problems and sometimes duller coats. They may as well lose their appetite, as a result of teeth ache when they chew and their sense of taste or smell may reduce.
To curb these problems, senior dog foods are crafted with special features that are aimed to meet the specific nutritional needs of senior dogs. They may have characteristics such as;
- Lower calorie levels to prevent weight gain
- Added supplements for joint support
- Omega fatty acids for a healthy skin and coat
- Beneficial bacteria to promote healthy gut.
- Increased fiber to prevent constipation Higher protein levels to maintain healthy and strong muscles
- Antioxidants such as vitamin E and beta-carotene for good brain health and immune system health
In this article, we shall be discussing ten of the best grain-free dog foods you can feed your senior dog. Please note that having no grains does not mean they are carb-free. Some even happen to have more carbs than foods with grains. They however reduce chances of rapid weight gain for a healthy lifestyle.
Top 10 Best Senior Dog Food Grain Free
There are many dog foods in the market made without grains that you can choose from. It is hard however to know for sure which type of food has the most suitable nutrient blend that can benefit your dog.
If you are not sure what to feed your aging dog, these ten dog foods should offer you an easy starting point. We chose them as they contain a blend of useful ingredients that are beneficial and safe for your loyal companion’s health.
Natural Balance L.I.D. Limited Ingredient Diets Dry Dog Food, Grain Free
Natural Balance Limited Ingredient Diets Dry Dog Food is crafted with real chicken as the number one ingredient to provide the high-quality, nutritious and tasteful meal that your furry friend deserves.
It contains a limited list of additional protein and carbohydrate sources and is grain-free to ensure good digestive health for your dog while prompting a healthy skin and a shiny coat. It lacks any added peas, pea protein, lentils, legumes, corn, wheat or soy and is great when you are looking for an alternative ingredient for your pooch.
Features
- Limited ingredient diet with a single animal protein source
- Grain free recipe with no artificial flavors, fillers, artificial preservatives or colors
- High quality proteins support healthy, strong muscles
- Added essential minerals and vitamins
- Natural fiber blend helps support healthy digestion
Bottom line– Limited Ingredient Diets formula is purposely made to limit the number of ingredients your dog is exposed to. It is nutritious and delicious, and is excellent when you are looking for alternative ingredients for your pup.
Rachael Ray Nutrish Zero Grain Dry Dog Food with Real Meat, Grain Free
Rachael Ray Nutrish Zero Grain dry dog food is made with simple, natural ingredients including real salmon, which is the number one ingredient. It is combined with wholesome vegetables and added vitamins & minerals and lacks any grain, gluten or fillers ingredients.
The high quality, fresh salmon is a very easy to digest protein that provides essential nutrients to help maintain healthy organs and lean muscle mass of your old canine.
Rachael Ray formula also contains sweet potatoes that offer a great natural source of fiber, essential vitamins and antioxidants that support a healthy immune system. Salmon meal on the other hand offer a naturally rich source of essential amino acids and Omega 3 fatty acids help with vision development and cognitive function.
Features
- Real salmon is the No. 1 ingredient
- Gluten free
- Easily digestible
- No artificial preservatives, colors or artificial flavors
- Contains added vitamins & minerals
- USA cooked with the world’s best ingredients
Bottom line– the ingredients in this formula are carefully selected each with a specific function, to provide all the necessary nutritional support for your dog’s general body requirements.
Taste of the Wild High Protein Real Meat Recipe Dry Dog Food
Taste of the Wild High Protein dry dog food is grain-free but has sweet potatoes and peas for highly digestible energy for your active dog.
It is made with roasted bison and venison real meat as the number one ingredient and supplemented with vegetables and fruits to deliver antioxidants for your dog’s healthy lifestyle.
This food contains dried chicory root that is high in prebiotic fiber that favors beneficial probiotic bacteria in the digestive system. It provides your dog with optimal amino acid and protein levels for lean strong muscles.
Taste of the wild dry dog food contains added vitamins and minerals, fruits and vegetables as superfoods. K9 Strain Probiotics are added in to this formula after the cooking process to ensure viability. The formula also features high levels of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids for healthy skin and shiny coat.
Features
- Real lamb meat is the number 1 ingredient
- Gluten Free
- Antioxidants promote skin and coat health
- Supplemented with vegetables and fruits
- Contains no added grain, corn, wheat, filler, artificial flavors, colors or preservatives
- Calorie content: 3,719 kcal/kg (370 kcal/cup)
- Made in USA
Pros
- Highly digestible
Bottom line– this protein-rich formula is made using trusted ingredients from sustainable sources all over the world. The lack of grain, corn, wheat or preservatives makes it ideal healthy for senior dogs.
CRAVE Grain Free High Protein Adult Dry Dog Food, White Fish & Salmon
As a wolf descendant, your dog loves a meal made from high-quality animal protein and full meaty flavor. CRAVE High Protein Adult dry dog food is crafted with real white fish as the first ingredient and supplemented with salmon natural vitamins, minerals and other nutrients.
This grain-free dog food is formulated to meet the nutritional needs of all dogs regardless of their body size. It has 34% high-quality proteins that support strong, lean bodies, and provides the energy dogs need with carbohydrate sources such as peas. The formula consists of no chicken by-product meal, corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors, colors or even preservatives.
Features
- Real white fish is the first ingredient
- Grain free
- Supports a strong, lean body with 34% high protein
- Made with no corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors, colors or preservatives
- Grain free carbohydrate sources, like peas provide your pup with extra energy
- Formulated to meet the nutritional needs of small to large adult dogs
Bottom line– CRAVE is rich in animal proteins making it the perfect food to rejuvenate your dog’s energy and as well as support maintenance of strong, lean muscles. It is one of the foods that are suitable for all adult dogs including the seniors.
IAMS PROACTIVE HEALTH Minichunks Dry Dog Food, Chicken
IAMS PROACTIVE Health Minichunks Dog Food is made with farm raised real chicken meat as the number one ingredient accompanied by wholesome grains and veggies.
These quality ingredients are easily digestible to help support your dog’s immune system, healthy skin, coat, metabolism as well as strong bones. The formula is made in form of crunchy kibbles that scrub your dog’s teeth with every bite and help in reducing plaque and bad breath.
IAMS dog food contains high quality animal protein with no artificial preservatives, fillers or flavors. These high-quality, premium dog food is made in the USA with the world’s finest ingredients for a wholesome meal that promotes good health and nutrition for your pup.
Features
- First ingredient is real, farm-raised chicken
- Features smaller kibble size
- Strong proteins help with development of strong muscles
- Supports a strong immune system with antioxidants
- Promotes healthy digestion with a tailored blend of wholesome fibers and prebiotics
- Quality protein from real chicken helps build strong muscles
- 100% Complete and balanced nutrition
- Veterinarian recommended
Bottom line– IAMS helps bring out your dog’s better self no matter the age. The formula provides a perfect fit for your dog’s specific needs. The rich proteins help maintain healthy and strong bones.
Nature’s Recipe Grain Free Easy to Digest Dry Dog Food
Grain Free dog food offers a nutrient-rich and delicious real chicken as the number one ingredient.
It is made with nutrient-high carbohydrate sources such as sweet potato and pumpkin to create a flavorful dry food for your dog. These ingredients create a grain-free, easy-to-digest dog food that doesn’t get in the way of all that delicious chicken.
This formula offers dietary fiber provided by sweet potatoes for healthy digestion as well as other additional minerals and vitamins. Every ingredient is well chosen for the benefit of your four-legged friend.
Features
- Real chicken is the 1st ingredient.
- Grain-free recipe
- No corn, wheat, soy, poultry by-product meal, or artificial flavors and preservatives
- Added vitamins, minerals and nutrients
- Calorie content: Metabolizable Energy (ME) 3570 kcal/kg per 345 kcal/cup
- Weight: 24 Pounds
Pros
- Easy to digest and healthy
Bottom line– this formula contains a variety of essential nutrients and minerals that help provide specific nutritional or functional benefits. Nutrient-dense carbohydrate sources are easy to digest and help your dog stay active and healthy.
Diamond Naturals Skin & Coat Real Salmon and Potato Recipe Dry Dog
This Diamond Naturals dog food is made with ingredients of exceptional quality, to provide complete and holistic nutrition for every pet.
The formula is enhanced with superfoods and guaranteed probiotics, for optimal nutrition and digestive support.
It has added wild-caught salmon and zero grains making it suitable for dogs with food-related skin sensitivities.
Features
- High quality protein
- Contains no grain
- Optimal amino acid levels support lean, strong muscles
- Added vitamins & minerals
- Superfoods for hard-working antioxidants
- Fatty acids promote healthy skin and coat
- Essential hypoallergenic ingredients
- Guaranteed levels probiotics
- No corn, wheat, filler, artificial flavors, colors or preservatives added
- Antioxidants support healthy immune-system
- Made in the USA with scientifically advanced food safety protocols
Pros
- It is easy to digestible
- Ideal for all dog ages
Bottom line– this dog formula offers your dog the complete nutrition he needs, in a rich salmon flavor that he/she will not get tired of. It is also beneficial for the maintenance of healthy skin and coat in any dog, regardless of age.
Whole Earth Farms Grain Free, Natural Dry Dog Food
Whole Earth Farms Grain Free dry dog food is a kibble and canned recipe, cooked in the USA with high quality natural ingredients that provide complete and balanced nutrition for your dog.
The formula features high-quality protein in a flavorful blend of pork, beef and lamb that helps support easy digestibility, less shedding, shinier coat, increased energy, stronger nails and healthier skin. Added in apples, sweet potatoes and flaxseed provide a delicious and nutritious meal for your dog.
Features
- Natural ingredients
- Multiple protein sources and added in vitamins and minerals help support general well-being of your pet
- Has no corn, wheat, soy, by-products, artificial colors or artificial preservatives.
- Features flavorful dried blueberries, rosemary, sage and thyme
- 100% complete and balanced nutrition
- Age range description: Senior
- Cooked in the USA with earth’s best ingredients
Bottom line– the Whole Earth dry dog food with no added grain is made as a truly holistic recipe with all the essential nutrients that promote the well-being and good health of your dog.
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Chicken Dry Dog Food
BLUE Wilderness Adult Dry Dog Food is made with the intention of satisfying your dog’s natural desire for meat.
The grain-free recipe features real chicken to help build and maintain a strong and healthy muscle mass.
It also has a distinct balance of carbohydrates, including sweet potatoes and peas, and calories to support your dog’s daily nutritional needs.
This dry dog food formula also features Blue’s exclusive LifeSource Bits. This is a precise blend of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that are carefully selected by holistic veterinarians and animal nutritionists to support healthy immune system, life stage requirements, as well as a healthy oxidative balance.
Features
- Real meat is the first ingredient to provide the protein your dog needs
- Features fruit and vegetables for balanced nutrition
- Contains omega 3 & 6 fatty acids to support skin and coat health
- Contains calcium and phosphorus that promote healthy bones and teeth
- Does not contains chicken (or poultry) by-product meals, corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavors or preservatives.
- Made in the United States
Bottom line– formulated for the health and well-being of your dog, this dog formula features the finest natural ingredients enhanced with vitamins and minerals to support your senior pet’s health and body.
Purina ONE SmartBlend True Instinct Natural Grain-Free Adult Dry Dog Food
Purina ONE SmartBlend True Instinct dry dog food offers a high-protein kibble formulated to help support strong muscles and an active lifestyle.
The grain-free Purina formula is made using real beef as the number 1 ingredient and features a SmartBlend of ingredients that provide additional vitamins, minerals and nutrients, for 100% complete and balanced nutrition for your adult dog(s).
The tender, meaty kibbles get your dog excited and always looking forward to mealtime. Additionally, the dry dog food is formulated without corn, wheat, soy, artificial colors or flavors, to give your furry friend a tasty, healthy and nutritious meal.
Features
- Real beef is the No. 1 ingredient
- Nutrient-dense, grain-free formula
- Made with 30% protein to help support strong muscles and an active lifestyle
- Contains no corn, wheat or soy
- Contains 0% fillers
- 100% nutrition to nourish your dog’s whole-body health and vitality.
Bottom line– Every ingredient in this Purina grain free dog formula is selected with a specific purpose. The blend of nutrients helps support bone and joint health, muscles and great energy for an active lifestyle.
Conclusion
Conditions such as arthritis, gum disease, diabetes, and blindness among many others are more likely to affect your dog in their senior years.
Choosing the best food for your dog is therefore one of the most important commitments you can have as a dog parent. This will help them maintain a healthy and strong body.
Grain free diets in particular help reduce the chances of your dog becoming obese as a result of being inactive. The additional proteins in these meals increase your dog’s energy levels and body strength making them more active.
If the choice of grain free dog foods is becoming a challenge for you, do not hesitate to choose one of these options we have laid out above.
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Dr. Candy, a holistic veterinarian and certified raw dog food nutrition specialist, graduated from Oklahoma State University in 2009 with a DVM and has since specialized in companion animal nutrition, advocating for species-specific diets. With a background in wildlife rehabilitation and oil spill response, she combines holistic health and conventional medicine in her unique approach to treating chronic diseases, allergies, and autoimmune conditions in pets. As the owner of a veterinary practice in Colorado and an author, Dr. Candy is dedicated to educating pet parents and improving the health and happiness of animals.
