10 Best Senior Dog Foods for Weight Loss – 2023 Reviews & Top Picks
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When you are looking for the best senior dog food for weight loss, it can be very beneficial to look at reviews. Checking out the good, the bad, and the unique when it comes to switching your dog’s everyday meals can be helpful to keep your senior dog as healthy as possible. There are specific needs that senior dogs have like supporting healthy joints and hips and keeping their coat healthy. This article will review the best senior dog foods this year.
A Quick Look at Our Favorite Picks in 2023
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Best Overall
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Ollie Fresh Dog Food Chicken With Carrots Recipe |
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Budget Buy
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Iams ProActive Health Mature Adult |
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ORIJEN Senior Grain-Free Dry Dog Food |
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Go! Carnivore Senior Formula |
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Nutro Ultra Small Breed Weight Management |
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The 10 Best Senior Dog Foods for Weight Loss
1. Ollie Fresh Dog Food Subscription (Chicken With Carrots Recipe) – Best Overall
| Main ingredients: | Chicken, carrots, peas, rice, chicken liver, potatoes |
| Protein content: | 10% |
| Fat content: | 5% |
| Calories: | 1298/kg |
Ollie Chicken with Carrots fresh dog food is the best overall dog food for seniors in need of weight management. This raw and natural recipe is created with top dog health in mind, including different recipe options including chicken, beef, and fish. With additional raw ingredients like carrots, rice, spinach, and chia seeds, this blend of superfoods is rich in vitamins, nutrients, and minerals for overall dog health.
Ollie is a subscription-based service that delivers raw, fresh dog food right to your door. Only downside is it can get a little expensive.
- Raw and natural
- Subscription-based
- Portioned for weight management
- More expensive than kibble
2. Iams ProActive Health Mature Dry Dog Food – Budget Buy
| Main ingredients: | Chicken, Chicken By-Product Meal, Ground Whole Grain Barley, Ground Whole Grain Corn, Ground Whole Grain Sorghum |
| Protein content: | 24% |
| Fat content: | 10.5% |
| Calories: | 349/cup |
IAMS Proactive Health Mature is the best senior dog food for weight loss for the money. IAMS has a reasonable price tag and matches the nutritional value of the other options too. It has farm-raised chicken listed as its first ingredient, and its other ingredients promote the overall wellness of your senior dog. With senior dogs in mind, the formula supports bone and joint health and there are antioxidants included to promote a healthy immune system. Prebiotics and decent fiber content also help with senior dogs’ stomachs for good digestion.
A great option for all sizes of dog breeds and low fat to keep them at a healthy weight. That said, some customers reported this food giving their pooches gas.
- Supports joint & bone health
- Contains antioxidants
- Supports healthy digestion
- Low fat
- Gives some dogs gas
- Not a favorite flavor for some pooches
3. ORIJEN Senior Grain-Free Dry Dog Food
| Main ingredients: | Chicken, Turkey, Flounder, Whole Mackerel, Turkey Giblets (Liver, Heart, Gizzard) |
| Protein content: | 38% |
| Fat content: | 15% |
| Calories: | 414/cup |
Our third choice for senior dog food for weight loss this year is the Orijen Senior dog food. With higher protein and largely premium ingredients, this recipe has a relatively justified higher price tag in comparison. With its first ingredients being protein options like chicken, turkey, and fish, this surpasses others with meat by-products. The ingredients are chosen in this dog food with essential nutrients in mind.
It’s made in the USA with fresh ingredients and includes essential proteins, vitamins, and minerals. Orijen uses whole organs to ensure the best parts of the protein source are used in each bag, although some reported a very fishy smell from this food.
- High protein
- Natural ingredients
- Promotes energy levels
- Strong fishy smell
- New formula not favored by some
4. Go! Carnivore Senior Formula Dry Food
| Main ingredients: | Chicken Meal, Turkey Meal, Salmon Meal, De-Boned Chicken, De-Boned Turkey |
| Protein content: | 32% |
| Fat content: | 14% |
| Calories: | 394/cup |
Go! Carnivore Senior Formula Dry Food option is a top choice for senior dogs and their health in this year. This brand is ranked highly as it contains raw ingredients. The first six ingredients are meat and fish, pushing it above other recipes. The food contains added nutrients and vitamins to support senior bone health, as well as hip & joint health. Taurine is added and said to support vision health. The long list of real animal ingredients, including cage-free meat options, and the promotion of overall wellness really sets it apart.
The formula has no by-products or artificial preservatives, but some customers reported bad gas in their dogs after switching to this food.
- Promotes healthy gut
- Digestive enzymes included
- Added probiotics
- May upset some dogs’ stomach
- Gives bad gas in some pooches
5. Nutro Ultra Small Breed Weight Management Dry Food
| Main ingredients: | Chicken, Chicken Meal (source of glucosamine and chondroitin), Whole Grain Barley, Whole Grain Brown Rice, Whole Grain Oats |
| Protein content: | 28% |
| Fat content: | 12% |
| Calories: | 288/cup |
Nutro Ultra Small Breed Weight Management dog food is our fifth pick for best dog food for seniors. It’s suitable for healthy weight management for adults and seniors alike. This specially created dog food is meant for small-breed dogs who need help with weight management. With a high protein content and real chicken listed as the first ingredient, it promotes overall wellness and nutrition with great ingredients. This recipe also contains 15 superfoods, vitamins, and minerals for balanced diets.
This brand holds importance on quality and testing its ingredients and it contains no artificial preservatives, flavors, or colors.
- No by-products
- Suitable for overweight dogs
- Supports balanced nutrition
- Comparatively higher calorie content
- Expensive
6. Pro Plan Bright Mind Adult 7+ Senior Dog Food
| Main ingredients: | Chicken, Poultry By-Product Meal, Rice, Whole Grain Corn, Corn Gluten Meal |
| Protein content: | 29% |
| Fat content: | 14% |
| Calories: | 423/cup |
The Pro Plan Bright Mind senior dog food recipe contains ingredients that are said to increase the mental alertness and sharpness of older dogs. With chicken listed as its first ingredient, this recipe is created with seniors’ needs in mind. Dog’s brains begin to adjust around the age of 7, so this formula is curated with brain health in mind and botanical oils work to enhance the function of senior dogs’ brains.
It is said to promote memory, attention, and trainability. The recipe also includes omega fatty acids and vitamins to promote healthy skin and coat. However, the kibble is a bit small for larger dogs, and some pooches did not enjoy the recent formula change.
- Created with seniors in mind
- Promotes mental alertness
- Supports joints and mobility
- Small kibble
- Recent formula change not favored by some dogs
7. Wellness Core Senior Dog Food
| Main ingredients: | Deboned Turkey, Chicken Meal (source of Chondroitin Sulfate), Lentils, Dried Ground Potatoes, Peas |
| Protein content: | 32% |
| Fat content: | 12% |
| Calories: | 359/cup |
Wellness Core Senior Dog Food contains ingredients that are catered toward senior dogs and their overall health. The presence of antioxidants, probiotics, and omega-fatty acids promotes a healthy coat, while other nutrients promote joint and hip health. This premium food option has a higher protein level and advanced nutritional value.
With largely positive reviews, the recipe seems to be loved by dogs in terms of flavor and is gentle on older pups’ stomachs. It helps with bowel movements, but be sure to keep an eye out for increased bathroom trips.
- High protein
- High nutritional value
- Promotes hip & joint health
- May cause runny stools
8. Victor Senior Healthy Weight Dog Food
| Main ingredients: | Beef Meal, Whole Grain Brown Rice, Whole Grain Millet, Grain Sorghum, Chicken Fat (preserved with mixed Tocopherols) |
| Protein content: | 27% |
| Fat content: | 11.5% |
| Calories: | 360/cup |
Victor Senior Healthy Weight for senior dogs has high nutritional value in its protein value alone that comes from meat sources, plants and veggies, and grains, but its recipe is curated with older dogs in mind to promote hip and joint health. It has weight control as its focus, perfect for older dogs who need help maintaining a healthy weight. It also has high-quality protein and essential minerals, vitamins, and fatty acids.
While this is great for weight management in seniors, some owners reported that their dogs simply didn’t enjoy the flavor. Also, the kibble is a bit small for larger pooches.
- Supports healthy digestion
- Supports overall immune function
- Made with seniors in mind
- Reportedly not a favorite flavor for some
- Small kibble
- Pungent smell
9. Wellness Complete Health Senior Dry Dog Food
| Main ingredients: | Deboned Chicken, Chicken Meal, Oatmeal, Ground Barley, Ground Brown Rice |
| Protein content: | 22% |
| Fat content: | 10% |
| Calories: | 416/cup |
Wellness Complete Health Senior dry dog food is popular for its recipe created for overall nutritional support for senior dogs. It is made with no meat by-products, fillers, or preservatives for a wholesome diet. It has chicken listed as its number one ingredient, giving those with natural ingredients as their priority peace of mind. It contains omega fatty acids, probiotics, antioxidants, and wholesome grains for a healthy diet.
It supports healthy brain development, supports good energy levels, and healthy skin and a silky coat. Unfortunately, the large kibble makes it suited for large breeds only.
- Supports overall health
- No fillers or preservatives
- Includes antioxidants
- Only for large breeds
- Large kibble size
10. Solid Gold Young at Heart Grain-Free Senior Dog Food
| Main ingredients: | Chicken, Chicken Meal, Sweet Potatoes, Chickpeas, Peas |
| Protein content: | 27% |
| Fat content: | 9% |
| Calories: | 325/cup |
Solid Gold Young at Heart dry dog food for seniors has chicken listed as its first ingredient, so you can be sure the protein quality is suitable for your loving pup. This recipe includes high amounts of antioxidants to support long-term health and overall wellness. The ingredients are also easy to digest for dogs who have sensitive stomachs. It is crafted specifically for seniors with a balanced level of protein, veggies, and superfoods.
Young at Heart is designed to make even senior dogs feel like they have the energy of a pup! That said, quite a few customers reported the food causing bad breath in their pooches.
- Superfood blend
- Made for seniors
- Added antioxidants
- Reportedly caused bad breath in some dogs
Buyer’s Guide: Finding the Best Senior Dog Food for Weight Loss
The dog foods on this list are different from others available as they are curated specifically for older dogs (over 7 years old). They have nutrients and antioxidants packed in for optimal nutrition and overall health.
Most food options are designed for all breeds of all sizes, so keep an eye out for any specially-made food. There will be a difference in kibble size depending on whether your dog is large or small.
If your dog has any allergies or a sensitive stomach, read the ingredients to see whether it is suitable for dogs with dietary restrictions or certain needs. If your dog is picky, try a dog food brand that provides numerous options in terms of flavor profiles. This also relates to the protein choice (i.e., fish, poultry, or beef).
For weight management, look out for dog food that indicates it has this in mind in terms of its recipe. If not explicitly stated, look for calorie content per cup, and be sure to follow feeding instructions as well!
Conclusion
For the best overall dog food for senior weight management, we recommend the Ollie Chicken recipe, with fresh ingredients and a convenient subscription model. The best value for your money is the IAMS dog food, with good nutrition at an affordable price. ORIJEN dry dog food made our list because it is made with high-quality ingredients. Lastly, Nutro Weight Management is another great choice for small-breed weight management.
Featured Image Credit: Przemek Iciak. Shutterstock
