Best Wet Dog Food for Senior Dogs – Nutritious and Age-Appropriate Options

We, pet parents always have a soft heart for our furry companions. Hence, our inclination to continuously search for the best dog food is totally understandable.

As dog owners ourselves, we know how complicated and tricky it can be to choose the right food for our pups. Hence, we did our research and came up with this list of the best wet dog food for senior dogs / senior dog food brands to make it easier for you to decide.

OUR TOP 3 PICKS FOR BEST WET DOG FOOD FOR SENIORS

Compared to dry kibble, fresh food and canned dog foods contain more protein, lesser fat, and carbohydrates, and are free from cancer-causing preservatives. Plus, wet fresh foods in pouches and canned foods are tastier and more aromatic.

They also closely resemble real food than kibbles, and they are packed with more moisture, which helps keep your pup hydrated (especially for dogs who are not fond of drinking).

Additionally, it is safe to say that most dogs, especially senior dogs prefer a wet food diet. And we can attribute the benefits that we’ve mentioned above to this.

Plus, wet foods are also easier to chew, which can be helpful for older dogs with tooth problems. And because of their composition, wet foods are also easier to digest, which is good for dogs with sensitive stomachs.

Best Wet Dog Food For Senior Dogs

1. Ollie Beef Dish with Sweet Potatoes

Rating: 5/5

First 5 Ingredients: Beef, Peas, Sweet Potatoes, Potatoes, Carrots

Guaranteed Analysis:

This beef dish is a delicious and nutritious option for your furry friend. It is made from high-quality, all-natural ingredients that provide your pet with the nutrients they need to stay healthy and happy. The beef used in this Ollie recipe is sourced from trusted farmers who raise their animals with care and attention.

One of the main benefits of feeding your pet this meal is that it is protein-dense. Protein is essential for maintaining strong muscles, a healthy immune system, and a shiny coat. It also helps to support the overall health and wellness of your pet.

In addition to protein, it also contains a variety of vitamins and minerals that are important for your pet's overall health. These nutrients help to support strong bones, a healthy digestive system, promotes good skin and overall vitality.

Altogether, this is a great choice for any pet owner who wants to provide their furry friend with the best nutrition possible. It is a tasty and healthy option that is sure to be enjoyed by your pet.

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2. Purina ONE SmartBlend Classic Ground Turkey & Barley Entrée

Rating: 4.6/5

First 5 Ingredients: Turkey, Turkey Broth, Chicken, Liver, Pork Lungs

Guaranteed Analysis:

Purina One is a brand of premium cat and dog food made by Nestle Purina PetCare, a company specializing in pet nutrition for over 80 years.

Not only are the majority of their pet foods made in the USA, but they also source their high-quality ingredients in the USA. As an expert in pet nutrition, it is not a surprise why pet parents across the globe entrust their dogs’ health to Purina’s premium products.

This recipe is specially formulated for mature dogs to keep their senior years vibrant and provide them with the necessary nutrients that could help them cope with the needs of their bodies at this age.

It features real turkey meat as its first ingredient, which helps promote lean muscle development. And it is packed with medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) to promote mental sharpness and activity.

What’s more, the recipe is enriched with essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to promote a healthy immune system, omega fatty acids for healthy skin and coat, and natural sources of glucosamine for joint health and mobility.

For its finishing mouthwatering touch, this recipe is filled with a savory poultry taste mixed with oatmeal and barley.

Each bite of this nutrient-dense wet food has a purpose, and you can see the difference in your dog’s body within 28 days – stronger immune system, bright eyes, healthy energy, and shiny coat.

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3. Iams ProActive Health Senior With Slow Cooked Chicken & Rice

Rating: 4.4/5

First 5 Ingredients: Sufficient Water for Processing, Meat By-Products, Chicken, Chicken By-Products, Brewers Rice

Guaranteed Analysis:

Iams is a popular pet food brand manufactured by Spectrum in Europe, and Mars, Incorporated worldwide. They believe that to provide pet foods, the company must have a deep understanding of cats and dogs more than anyone else in the industry.

Hence, it has always been at their core to invest time and money in innovative research so they can continuously enhance the lives of millions of pets worldwide.

Iams Proactive Health Senior Pate is specially formulated for dogs 7 years and older, and it is crafted with slow-cooked chicken and mouthwatering sauce that even a picky eater would gobble down to the last bit.

This recipe is made using high-quality animal protein, and it is fortified with essential vitamins and minerals to help support an older dog’s immune system.

It is a complete and balanced diet made with wholesome ingredients and enriched with omega fatty acids to support a senior dog’s skin and coat health.  

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4. The Farmer’s Dog Turkey Recipe

Rating: 4.8/5

First 5 Ingredients: Fresh Ground Turkey, Broccoli, Spinach, Parsnips, Carrots, and Beans

Guaranteed Analysis:

The Farmer’s Dog is a subscription-based company that delivers fresh dog food in ready-to-serve, biodegradable packs. Every meal that comes out of their kitchen is vet-crafted and tailored according to your pet’s caloric requirements and dietary restrictions.

Their recipes are formulated to be 100% complete and balanced, adhering to the AAFCO guidelines. Since the meals are prepared and shipped fresh, preservatives are not needed. Just keep them frozen and thaw before feeding.

Each recipe centers around a single protein source and offers plenty of whole fruits and veggies plus balanced carbs leaving your dog full and energized all day.

You can choose from their four recipes, but rest assured, each meal is equally nutritious and made using human-grade meat and vegetables in small batches. The Farmer’s Dog is a safe alternative to conventional brands and kibbles.

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5. Blue Buffalo Homestyle Recipe Senior Chicken Dinner with Garden Vegetables

Rating: 4.7/5

First 5 Ingredients: Chicken, Chicken Broth, Chicken Liver, Carrots, Peas

Guaranteed Analysis:

Blue Buffalo knows that every pet parent loves their dogs like family, so, it has been part of their mission to provide premium pet foods so that we can also feed our canine companions like family.

They have a wide assortment of recipes for dogs of all sizes and life stages. Plus, all of their recipes are made using the finest ingredients, and never include wheat, a common thickening agent used by some other brands.

Blue Buffalo Homestyle Chicken Recipe features real chicken as its first ingredient, and it doesn’t contain chicken by product meal, corn, wheat, soy, or artificial preservatives. This pate-style savory wet food uses high quality animal protein to support healthy muscle maintenance.

This nutritious recipe is also packed with healthy garden fruits and vegetables, and enhanced with important vitamins and minerals.

What’s more, it is also fortified with glucosamine and chondroitin, which are important in promoting joint health and mobility in older dogs.

Depending on your dog’s preference, or your budget, you can use this wet food in three different ways. You can use it as a tasty topper to encourage your senior dog to eat his dry food. You can serve it as a special treat or reward in between meals, or you can feed it as a complete and balanced meal.

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6. Hill's Science Diet Adult 7+ Beef & Barley Entrée

Rating: 4.6/5

First 5 Ingredients: Water, Beef, Cracked Pearled Barley, Whole Grain Corn, Pork Liver

Guaranteed Analysis:

Hill’s Pet Nutrition is known for its reputation of providing safe and high-quality pet foods for over 70 years now.

With their team of over 220 veterinarians, food scientists, and Ph.D. nutritionists working non-stop every day, Hill’s is able to produce products and improve their existing recipes to enhance the quality of life of pets globally.

Hill’s Science Diet Beef & Barley Recipe is for mature dogs ages 7 and above is undoubtedly one of the best wet foods for senior dogs in the market today.

It is made using high-quality ingredients to support optimal nutrition and to keep your dog fit and healthy as he lives through his golden years.

This tasty recipe also contains high-quality animal protein to support lean muscle, as well as healthy fruits and vegetables to support healthy digestion.

What’s more, it is formulated with balanced minerals to promote heart and kidney health, which are two vital organs that are often faced with problems at this age.

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7. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Turkey & Chicken Grill

Rating: 4.6/5

First 5 Ingredients: Turkey, Chicken Broth, Chicken, Chicken Liver, Potatoes

Guaranteed Analysis:

Let your dog thrive on his senior years with Blue Buffalo Wilderness Grain Free Canned Wet Food.

This recipe is specially made to meet the needs of mature dogs. It features turkey as its first ingredient, and only contains high-quality proteins, and the finest natural ingredients to keep your dog healthy, active, and happy all day, every day.

Aside from high-quality turkey and chicken, this recipe also contains nutritious fruits and vegetables to promote healthy digestion and strengthen your dog’s immune system.

What’s more, this tasty wet food is gluten-free, grain-free, and it does not contain by-product meals, corn, wheat, soy, artificial flavor, or preservatives.

You can feed it as a complete and balanced meal, serve it as a topper, or give it as a tasty reward in between meals.

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8. Wellness Complete Health Senior Formula 

Rating: 4.4/5

First 5 Ingredients: Chicken Broth, Chicken, Whitefish, Chicken Liver, Ground Barley

Guaranteed Analysis:

Wellness is dedicated to creating innovative, and nutritious, natural foods to help your canine and feline companions live a lifetime filled with happiness and love. All of their recipes are made using high-quality, natural ingredients to ensure your pet’s wellbeing from nose to tail.

This recipe is crafted with senior dogs in mind. It contains high-quality protein from chicken to promote lean muscles and antioxidants from carrots for stronger immunity.

It is also enriched with omega fatty acids from flaxseeds for healthy skin and coat, as well as high dietary fiber from sweet potatoes to promote your senior dog’s healthy digestion.

What’s more, this recipe is also packed with L-carnitine to promote healthy weight and wellbeing, as well as glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate to support your dog’s joint health and mobility.

This pate-style wet food features a mouthwatering texture and savory flavor that will entice your dog to eat until the last tasty bite.

And just like other healthy dog foods, it is also made without meat by-products, fillers, or preservatives, to ensure your dog’s health and safety, and prevent negative reactions, especially from dogs with food allergies.

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Factors to Consider When Selecting the Ideal Wet Dog Food Formula

Choosing an ideal food for your canine companion is crucial for your dog's health. It is important to buy them food that they won't only love, but would also give them the nutrients they need to live a long and healthy life. And since not all wet foods are created equal, it's our responsibility, as pet parents to compare various products.

When shopping for the best wet food for your senior dog, you should consider the following factors:

Ingredients

When selecting wet foods for dogs, they need high-quality ingredients to be successful. Look for wet foods which contain meat as their primary ingredient to ensure that your dog is getting enough quality protein in his diet.

It's also great to find vegetables in the ingredients, but it probably isn't necessary, and it should not fall in the first three ingredients. Your dog should also avoid grains as he may have allergies. And avoid giving dry foods with added fillers, such as soy and corn, as well as wet foods that contain preservatives, colors, and artificial flavors that may be potentially harmful.

Health Concerns

If your dog has an underlying medical condition or health concerns, you should always keep those in mind to avoid ingredients that can aggravate his condition. Also, look for high-quality and natural ingredients that can help promote your dog’s health and wellbeing.

Age and Breed

The dietary needs of puppies, adult dogs, and senior dogs vary. That's why it is important to select a dog food that reflects one's lifestyle, age, and activity level to help them meet their nutritional needs. In addition, the nutritional requirements vary by breed. Wet foods are often prepared for certain breeds of dogs such as active Border Collie and less active dogs.

Texture

Wet foods are available in a wide variety of textures. It is often advisable to switch between two textures unless your dog prefers one over the other. Using the right method will help you to get your dogs to eat their food with gusto. The typical textures for wet foods include ground, minced, pate, bits and chunks, and stews.

Final Say

Dry dog food recipes and wet foods both have their ups and downs. That is why giving your senior dog who has few teeth a combination of wet and dry food is always an option. It gives variety, and it also lets your dog benefit from the advantages of both diets.

But of course, as mentioned earlier, there are cases when it’s best to exclusively feed dogs with wet foods. And senior dogs are among the groups that would benefit from eating fresh food or wet food all the time considering their delicate dental health, their need for higher protein, as well as higher moisture in their diet.

Remember wet dogs need a bit more attention than dry food. When feeding your senior dog foods, you should always keep a clean and dry food container. While most dogs will eat the entire bowl at once, some won't.

Keep track of how much food is left in your dog's bowl, and don't leave the food exposed in his bowl for more than four hours. After eating, you should remove the bowl immediately, wash it, and allow it to dry.

Additionally, because of the lack of preservatives, wet food must be consumed within three to five days (or less). And be sure to cover the can and store it in the fridge.

Finally, canned dog foods usually last for five years. However, when buying in bulk, it's best to check the individual can's expiration date. Or when the cans come in a sealed bundle, make sure to check the expiration date before pulling the lid or grabbing the can opener.