Senior dogs have unique dietary needs, just like humans. Depending on the size and breed of the dog, it may be considered “senior” after the age of five or seven. Each dog has unique nutritional needs according to its age, weight, activity level, and overall health, but generally, senior dog foods offer the nutrition aging dogs need to support their changing bodies and minds.
It can be difficult to choose the right senior dog food for your pet, however. Wet and canned food offers benefits over dry kibble, such as added moisture and a soft texture that’s easier for older dogs to eat comfortably.
We’ve compiled the best canned and wet dog food for senior dogs, based on reviews from real pet owners.
A Quick Glance at Our Favorites for 2023
Image Product Details
Best Overall
Hill’s Science Diet Adult 7+ Canned Dog Food
Chicken as first ingredient
Promotes muscle mass and vitality
Supports immunity
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Best Value
IAMS ProActive Health Senior Canned Dog Food
Pate texture
Meat as first ingredients
Added vitamins and minerals
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Premium Choice
The Farmer’s Dog Personalized Wet Food
Recipes are customized to suit your dog’s needs
The meal plans are designed by veterinarians
Minimal processing & cooking
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Purina Pro Plan Adult 7+ Complete Essentials Wet Food
Designed for older dogs
Our top vet-approved choice
Turkey as first ingredient
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Royal Canin Mature Adult in Gel Canned Dog Food
Complete and balanced
Plenty of nutrients
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The 11 Best Canned and Wet Dog Foods for Senior Dogs
Hill’s Science Diet Adult 7+ Chicken & Barley Entrée Canned Dog Food is the best overall canned and wet dog food for senior dogs and offers balanced nutrition to promote healthy muscle mass and mobility in senior dogs. High-quality protein sources like chicken and pork liver help to maintain body weight and support the function of vital organs.
Main ingredients: Water, chicken, cracked pearled barley, pork liver, whole grain corn, dried whey, dried beet pulp, corn gluten meal
Protein content: 3.5%
Fat content: 2.5%
Calories: 363 kcal/13 oz can
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This food is canned with a minced texture and is ideal for adult dogs seven years old and older. Despite good reviews from pet owners with senior dogs, some reviewers had issues with quality control or commented that the food texture was too solid for their dogs to eat comfortably.
Pros
Chicken as first ingredient
Promotes muscle mass and vitality
Supports immunity
Cons
Solid texture, harder for dogs with dental issues
IAMS ProActive Health Senior Canned Dog Food is the best canned and wet dog food for senior dogs for the money. The pate texture has slow-cooked chicken and rice that’s appetizing to your dog, as well as omega fatty acids to promote a healthy coat and skin. Vitamins and minerals are added for balanced nutrition that supports your aging pet’s needs.
Chicken as first ingredient
Promotes muscle mass and vitality
Supports immunity
- Chicken as first ingredient
- Promotes muscle mass and vitality
- Supports immunity
Solid texture, harder for dogs with dental issues
- Solid texture, harder for dogs with dental issues
Main ingredients: Water, meat byproducts, chicken, chicken byproducts, brewers rice, wheat flour, wheat gluten, flax seed
Protein content: 7.0%
Fat content: 3.0%
Calories: 262 kcal/can
This food is designed for adult dogs seven years and older. It also has wholesome grains for healthy energy to keep your dog going into its golden years. Most reviewers saw good results with this food, but some mentioned that the food isn’t calorie-dense, and you have to feed more of it. Others said their dogs didn’t like it.
Pros
Pate texture
Meat as first ingredients
Added vitamins and minerals
Cons
Low in calories
3. The Farmer’s Dog Personalized Wet Food — Premium Choice
Click Here to Save 50% + Get Free Shipping with The Farmer’s DogThe Farmer’s Dog Personalized Wet Food Recipe is our premium choice option. The Farmer’s Dog provides customizable wet food recipes for your senior dog, allowing you to create the perfect meal plan for your pup. Various protein bases are available depending on your dog’s needs, such as chicken, beef, pork, and turkey. Once you input your dog’s information on The Farmer’s Dog website, they send you various recipes designed by veterinarians that best suit your dog’s nutritional requirements.
The meals made by The Farmer’s Dog are crafted with minimal processing in USDA-quality kitchens. That means that the nutritional value of your dog’s food will be higher quality than many other pet food brands on the market.
Pate texture
Meat as first ingredients
Added vitamins and minerals
- Pate texture
- Meat as first ingredients
- Added vitamins and minerals
Low in calories
- Low in calories
Since the meals are made fresh, they aren’t designed to be stored for prolonged periods. However, the benefits that the Farmer’s Dog can provide your dog far outweigh the storage concerns.
Pros
Recipes are customized to suit your dog’s needs
The meal plans are designed by veterinarians
Minimal processing
Made in USDA-quality kitchens
Cons
Not designed to be stored for prolonged periods
Purina Pro Plan Adult 7+ Complete Essentials Turkey & Rice Entrée Wet Dog food is designed to meet the nutritional needs of aging dogs. Real turkey is the first ingredient and offers a lot of high-quality protein to support a healthy body condition as your dog ages.
Recipes are customized to suit your dog’s needs
The meal plans are designed by veterinarians
Minimal processing
Made in USDA-quality kitchens
- Recipes are customized to suit your dog’s needs
- The meal plans are designed by veterinarians
- Minimal processing
- Made in USDA-quality kitchens
Not designed to be stored for prolonged periods
- Not designed to be stored for prolonged periods
Main ingredients: Turkey, water, liver, meat by-products, chicken, rice
Protein content: 9%
Fat content: 6.5%
Calories: 414 kcal/can
This food is made without soy or wheat with no artificial colors or flavors. Like other Purina foods, this wet dog food is manufactured in a Purina-owned US facility. Designed for dogs aged seven or older, this food also contains glucosamine and EPA, an omega fatty acid that supports joint health, and probiotics for healthy digestion. Some reviewers said their dogs didn’t like the food, however.
Pros
Our top vet-approved choice
Turkey as first ingredient
Cons
Adult 7+ only has two flavor options
Royal Canin Mature Adult in Gel Canned Dog Food is designed specifically for the needs of aging dogs five years and older. This formula uses L-carnitine to help the body burn fat and plenty of protein to support muscle mass as your dog ages. The appetizing loaf-style food is in a rich sauce that whets appetites.
Our top vet-approved choice
Turkey as first ingredient
- Our top vet-approved choice
- Turkey as first ingredient
Adult 7+ only has two flavor options
- Adult 7+ only has two flavor options
Main ingredients: Water, pork byproducts, pork liver, chicken, brewers rice flour, chicken byproducts, wheat flour, powdered cellulose, wheat gluten
Protein content: 7.5%
Fat content: 2.0%
Calories: 345 kcal/can
Fish oil, biotin, niacin, riboflavin, and other vitamins are added for skin and coat health, nervous system function, and overall health. It’s complete and balanced, so it can be fed on its own or with a dry food. While many reviewers saw good results, others said their dogs didn’t like the food or mentioned the hard, solid texture, which had to be chopped up to serve.
Pros
Complete and balanced
Plenty of nutrients
Cons
Hard texture, some dog owners reported their dogs had a hard time chewing
- Purina ONE SmartBlend Adult Dog Food – Vet’s Choice
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Main ingredients: Turkey, turkey broth, chicken, liver, pork lungs, oat meal, barley, carrots
Protein content: 8.0%
Fat content: 7.0%
Calories: 424 kcal/can
Purina ONE SmartBlend Classic Ground Turkey & Barley Entrée Adult Wet Dog Food is the vet’s choice for senior dog food. Real turkey is the first ingredient for high-quality protein that helps to preserve muscle mass in older dogs. It also contains medium-chain triglycerides for alertness and omega fatty acids for a healthy coat and skin.
Complete and balanced
Plenty of nutrients
- Complete and balanced
- Plenty of nutrients
Hard texture, some dog owners reported their dogs had a hard time chewing
- Hard texture, some dog owners reported their dogs had a hard time chewing
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Main ingredients: Turkey, turkey broth, chicken, liver, pork lungs, oat meal, barley, carrots
Protein content: 8.0%
Fat content: 7.0%
Calories: 424 kcal/can
Designed for older, picky eaters, the food has a savory poultry flavor with wholesome grains for energy support. It’s made in the USA with antioxidants to help your aging pet. Many reviewers were pleased with this food, but some said it smelled strong and their dogs wouldn’t eat it.
Pros
Turkey as first ingredient
Antioxidants for immune health
Cons
Strong smell, may not be a good choice for small apartments
Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe Natural Senior Wet Dog Food offers a rich mix of chicken, vegetables, and grains to support your senior dog’s health. This wet food has chunks of real meat to make it appetizing for picky eaters and is enhanced with vitamins and minerals like glucosamine and chondroitin for joint health.
Turkey as first ingredient
Antioxidants for immune health
- Turkey as first ingredient
- Antioxidants for immune health
Strong smell, may not be a good choice for small apartments
- Strong smell, may not be a good choice for small apartments
Main ingredients: Chicken, chicken broth, chicken liver, carrots, peas, brown rice, barley, oatmeal, sweet potatoes
Protein content: 7.5%
Fat content: 4.5%
Calories: 396 kcal/cup
The pate-style food contains no byproduct meals, wheat, soy, or artificial flavors or preservatives. It offers whole nutrition, so it can be fed on its own or as a topper for dry food. All Blue Buffalo food is manufactured in the US and uses trusted ingredient sources. Several reviewers complained of quality control issues, however.
Pros
Chicken as first ingredient
Added vitamins and minerals
Cons
Quality control issues
Evanger’s Classic Recipes Senior & Weight Management Dinner Canned Dog Food is ideal for older or less active dogs. It features meat as the first ingredient and wholesome grain to support energy needs. The food also contains chelated trace minerals and vitamins for optimal health.
Chicken as first ingredient
Added vitamins and minerals
- Chicken as first ingredient
- Added vitamins and minerals
Quality control issues
- Quality control issues
Main ingredients: Chicken, chicken broth, brown rice, guar gum, dried kelp, yucca schidigera
Protein content: 7.0%
Fat content: 4.0%
Calories: 301 kcal/can
The meat-based formula has balanced nutrition, so it can be fed on its own or as a topper for dry food. There are no preservatives, salt, fillers, or soy added. While many reviewers were satisfied, others said their dogs wouldn’t eat it or mentioned inconsistencies across ingredients that altered the look and texture of the food.
Pros
Meat as first ingredient
Whole grains
No preservatives or filler
Cons
Inconsistency with ingredients across batches
Wellness Complete Health Chicken & Sweet Potato formula is ideal for aging dogs and contains premium protein and nutrient-rich vegetables. This food offers complete and balanced nutrition in an easy-to-eat pate-style wet formula to support muscle mass, digestive function, energy, and a healthy coat and skin.
Meat as first ingredient
Whole grains
No preservatives or filler
- Meat as first ingredient
- Whole grains
- No preservatives or filler
Inconsistency with ingredients across batches
- Inconsistency with ingredients across batches
Main ingredients: Chicken broth, chicken, whitefish, chicken liver, ground barley, rice bran, sweet potatoes, carrots
Protein content: 7.0%
Fat content: 3.0%
Calories: 326 kcal/can
This food is made without meat byproducts, fillers, or artificial preservatives. It’s also free of wheat, soy, and peas. Many reviewers were pleased with the results for their dogs, but some complained about the inconvenience of having to open the can with a can opener. Some other reviewers said their dogs didn’t like the food.
Pros
Real meat as first ingredients
No wheat, soy, or peas
Cons
Must be opened with a can opener
Nutro Ultra Grain-Free Trio Protein Chicken, Lamb & Whitefish Pate with Superfoods Senior Wet Dog Food uses real meat like chicken, lamb, and whitefish to support your dog’s protein needs. It also contains high-quality ingredients like apples, blueberries, yam, and chia seeds.
Real meat as first ingredients
No wheat, soy, or peas
- Real meat as first ingredients
- No wheat, soy, or peas
Must be opened with a can opener
- Must be opened with a can opener
Main ingredients: Chicken, chicken liver, chicken broth, spinach, tomatoes, carrots, dried egg product, lamb, whitefish
Protein content: 8.0%
Fat content: 5.0%
Calories: 98 kcal/tray
This food has no chicken byproduct meal, GMOs, wheat, soy, grain, or artificial additives. You can feed it on its own or as a topper for dry food. It’s high in calories for dogs that struggle to maintain weight. Many reviewers had good results with this food, especially with picky eaters, but some said their dogs wouldn’t touch it. Be sure to check with your vet to see if grain-free is appropriate for your dog, since most dogs benefit from grains in their diets.
Pros
Real meat as first ingredients
No chicken byproduct meal, GMOs, wheat, or soy
High in calories
Cons
Some dogs don’t like it
Halo Holistic Chicken Recipe Senior Canned Dog Food is a great choice for your senior dog. It contains whole chicken meat as the first ingredient and sustainably sourced ingredients from non-GMO producers. The food contains plenty of protein, fiber, and nutrients to support your senior dog’s health needs.
Real meat as first ingredients
No chicken byproduct meal, GMOs, wheat, or soy
High in calories
- Real meat as first ingredients
- No chicken byproduct meal, GMOs, wheat, or soy
- High in calories
Some dogs don’t like it
- Some dogs don’t like it
Main ingredients: Chicken, chicken broth, chicken liver, oat bran, pea flour, pea fiber, carrots, peas, salt, guar gum
Protein content: 8.5%
Fat content: 4.5%
Calories: 405 kcal/can
This formula has no artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. It’s designed to support sensitive digestion in older dogs, ensuring maximum nutrient absorption. You can feed this balanced recipe on its own or as a topper for dry food. Reviewers had good experiences overall, though some mentioned that it’s expensive for the amount.
Pros
Whole chicken as first ingredient
No artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives
Designed for sensitive stomachs
Cons
Expensive, may be too much for multi-dog households
Buyer’s Guide: How to Select the Best Canned and Wet Food for Senior Dogs
Choosing the right food for your dog comes down to preference, but here are some things to consider:
Whole chicken as first ingredient
No artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives
Designed for sensitive stomachs
- Whole chicken as first ingredient
- No artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives
- Designed for sensitive stomachs
Expensive, may be too much for multi-dog households
- Expensive, may be too much for multi-dog households
Protein: Protein is essential for all dogs, but it’s extremely important for aging dogs to maintain healthy muscle mass and strength. Look for animal sources of protein like chicken, beef, turkey, or fish.
Digestibility: As your dog ages, it may not be able to absorb the nutrients it needs as easily. Some dog foods for senior dogs have added vitamins and minerals to ensure balanced nutrition, but you could also look for formulas designed for high digestibility.
Texture: Older dogs may have lost teeth over time, making it more difficult to eat comfortably. A wet or canned food that’s soft and easy to chew can ensure your dog doesn’t struggle to eat all its food.
Supplements: Supplemental ingredients aren’t a required part of your dog’s diet, but they can help to support different health needs or fill in gaps in your dog’s diet. Look for foods with added supplements like prebiotics and probiotics, medium-chain triglycerides, and omega fatty acids.
- Protein: Protein is essential for all dogs, but it’s extremely important for aging dogs to maintain healthy muscle mass and strength. Look for animal sources of protein like chicken, beef, turkey, or fish.
- Digestibility: As your dog ages, it may not be able to absorb the nutrients it needs as easily. Some dog foods for senior dogs have added vitamins and minerals to ensure balanced nutrition, but you could also look for formulas designed for high digestibility.
- Texture: Older dogs may have lost teeth over time, making it more difficult to eat comfortably. A wet or canned food that’s soft and easy to chew can ensure your dog doesn’t struggle to eat all its food.
- Supplements: Supplemental ingredients aren’t a required part of your dog’s diet, but they can help to support different health needs or fill in gaps in your dog’s diet. Look for foods with added supplements like prebiotics and probiotics, medium-chain triglycerides, and omega fatty acids.
Conclusion
Senior dog food is a unique formula designed for the needs of aging pets. Our top pick is Hill’s Science Diet Adult 7+ Chicken & Barley Entrée Canned Dog Food for its balanced nutrition. For value, choose IAMS ProActive Health Senior Canned Dog Food. The premium choice is The Farmer’s Dog Personalized Wet Food Subscription. There’s also Royal Canin Mature Adult in Gel Canned Dog Food is designed specifically for the needs of aging dogs five years and older, and the vet’s choice, Purina ONE SmartBlend Classic Ground Turkey & Barley Entrée Adult Wet Dog Food.
Featured Image Credit: Sharaf Maksumov, Shutterstock
