Senior Dog Food & Supplements

In Pooch & Mutt's Senior dog food range, you'll find nutritious recipes that are specially crafted to help, support, and meet the needs of our ageing pooches.

Whilst they still may have that mischievous puppy energy, just like us, our dogs need a little extra support as they enter their twilight years. Packed with highly digestible lean proteins, natural, healthy superfoods, fibre and prebiotics, they can help keep joints limber, coats shiny, and digestion smooth.

Is Senior dog food necessary?

Yes! Just like puppies need a specific diet, our older dogs do too. With age comes unavoidable change, whether it's the odd grey hair, shorter walks, or needing something gentle for a more sensitive tum.

Senior dog food is specifically formulated with functional ingredients that help target the areas that tend to suffer as dogs get older. That way, you can help maintain their vitality and make their golden years as comfortable as possible.

When is my dog considered senior?

When your dog's classed as senior often comes down to their breed and their size. But, on average, dogs are considered senior aged 7 and above. But it can be anywhere between 5 and 12 years old, spanning across sizes from large to small.

When should I switch my dog to Senior food?

This all depends on when your dog can be classed as a senior, and when they're showing visible signs of slowing down. Consider your dog's breed and size when checking if they're of senior age, and look out for signs they may need a little extra support from their diet, including:

• Lower energy

• Reduced appetite

• Visible muscle stiffness, like struggling to jump off the couch and standing up or sitting down more

• Developing digestive sensitivity and worsening gut health, causing things like runny poos and foul-smelling farts

• Skin troubles and a dry, dull coat

How much food should I feed my senior dog?

As your dog ages, they're often less active, so their metabolic rate naturally begins to decline. This leaves them vulnerable to weight gain and an increased risk of obesity. While we should adapt their diet, we still need to prioritise our seniors getting all the nutrients they need. Our resident Pooch & Mutt Vet, Dr Linda Simon advises:

As our seniors' metabolism slows down, they tend to become a bit less hungry, and they have somewhat lower calorie needs. It's preferable not to reduce the portion size, but rather make the food more nutrient-dense (where possible). When it comes to adapting your senior dog's diet, protein doesn't always need to be restricted, and reducing it too much can lead to muscle wastage and fat gain. Rather, we should focus on ensuring the protein is easy for them to digest and good quality. Think Chicken, Turkey, Salmon and White Fish. As with younger dogs, we aim to achieve a Body Condition Score of 4 or 5 out of 9. We don't want seniors being underweight, as this makes them less robust in the face of illness. We also don't want them overweight, as it puts extra strain on joints that may already be struggling. If you've found the perfect food for your senior dog but are still unsure how much they should eat, either double-check the feeding guidelines on the packaging or check in with your vet, who'll be able to take into account your dog's medical history and specific needs. But remember, every dog is different. I know teenage Border Collies who have the energy and appetite of a dog half their age! So when it comes to assessing their diet, we should put their individual needs first.