How Much Should You Feed a Senior Dog?

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This article was originally published in December 2023, and has been updated.

Anyone whose best friend is starting to show some gray on their muzzle knows that dogs change as they age. Not all of those changes have to do with how they look—a senior dog may experience shifts in appetite and metabolism that change how much you should feed them. 

“When a dog starts slowing down, it’s time to be proactive,” said Susan G. Wynn, DVM, Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Nutrition, one of the on-staff, board-certified veterinary nutritionists at The Farmer’s Dog. “Ask a vet—especially a physical therapy or rehab vet—to examine them for sources of pain; watch carefully for evidence of muscle loss or fat gain, or other physical changes like cloudiness in the eyes and increased dental tartar. These all call for intervention, sometimes in the form of changes to their diet.”

Every dog ages differently, so you should keep in touch with your vet and watch your pet closely as you determine what’s right for them. But, generally, here’s what to consider when figuring out how much to feed your dog as you nourish them through seniorhood.

When does a dog become a senior?

Before we go into how much to feed a senior, we should define what “senior” even means. The folk wisdom that a dog’s age in “human years” is just their actual age multiplied by seven isn’t exactly right, and when a dog becomes a senior depends on their breed. According to the American Animal Hospital Association’s guidelines on life stages, the “senior” stage of life is from maturity to life expectancy (approximately the last 25% of expected lifespan). So: If your dog’s breed is predicted to live 12 to 14 years, they’re a senior at about age nine to ten-and-a-half. 

How do I decide how much to feed my senior dog?

Age isn’t the only important number when it comes to your dog’s health. Other factors, like their weight and body condition, may tell you more about their calorie needs.

Know your dog’s body condition score.

Staying at a healthy weight is crucial for dogs of all ages, because obesity significantly heightens the risks of various ailments. And it’s particularly vital for seniors.

The best way to determine whether your dog is at a healthy weight is to check their body condition score. This score—measured on a nine-point scale—assesses your dog’s fitness, adding another dimension of health that weight alone doesn’t reveal. The scale ranges from emaciated (1) to obese (9)—and the ideal score for a senior is 5.

You can quickly evaluate your dog’s body condition by looking at their ribs or waistline. For most breeds, if you can feel (but not see) their ribs, they’re in a good condition (though visible ribs are normal for certain short-haired breeds). When viewed from overhead, their waist should taper in—another sign of a good body condition.

Know the risks of obesity.

One risk of obesity comes from increased inflammation; a slew of research has found a strong association between obesity, inflammation, and poor health outcomes in dogs. Complicating things further, older dogs more easily put on weight—which makes obesity more challenging to avoid.

“Obesity is a disease that causes inflammation,” said Dr. Wynn, “worsening the inflammation that occurs with age itself and many other diseases of aging.” Research shows that lean dogs can live up to 2.5 years longer than those who are overweight.

Obesity can also burden dogs’ joints with extra weight. “Increasing weight can increase the pain experienced by arthritic dogs,” Dr. Wynn said.

Consider a pre-portioned plan.

Proper portioning can be difficult, and many companies provide inexact guidelines based on “scoops.” The Farmer’s Dog eliminates guesswork by providing feeding guidelines based on your dog’s individual needs. We determine the right portions for your dog based on age, weight, breed, activity level, spay/neuter status, and other factors. We also monitor their weight to make sure it stays ideal. As your dog ages, we keep their changing needs in mind. If they do require fewer calories, our complete and balanced food ensures that their diet still delivers all the essential nutrients.

Remember, too, that treats count—healthy extras can be a wonderful reward and training motivator, but they should never make up more than 10% of any dog’s total caloric intake.

How many calories does my senior dog need?

This may be where you expect to see a tidy table pinpointing how many calories your dog needs based on their age, weight, and breed. But this calculation varies for every individual dog.

Since dogs’ caloric needs change based on many different factors, like activity level and breed, there’s no blanket suggestion for how many calories a senior dog needs. 

Dr. Wynn has made calorie charts for her clients—but has done so in the context of that specific relationship, incorporating each dog’s particular needs.

Determining how many calories a specific dog needs is complicated, and depends on factors like spay/neuter status, activity levels, body condition, and medical conditions. These elements all interact with each other, making the work of determining daily calories more complicated than a simplified, general table allows for. That’s why The Farmer’s Dog offers personalized plans for dogs’ individual needs.

Mobility problems caused by arthritis may reduce a dog’s calorie requirements and increase their risk for weight gain. “Now you have a dog that needs such extreme calorie restriction that a special diet is needed to prevent nutrient deficiencies,” said Dr. Wynn. 

Another case could be a dog with chronic inflammatory disease that increases their calorie needs—but an overweight or underweight body condition means that simply feeding them more or less, or switching to a higher calorie food, isn’t always the healthiest answer. For a dog facing this type of health challenge, Dr. Wynn said, “You either need a vet nutritionist to estimate their energy requirement, or a general practitioner can do an evaluation to look at the current total calorie intake and adjust from there.” 

Do senior dogs need fewer calories?

As dogs reach seniorhood, their calorie needs may change. For example, they may require less food if their activity levels drop, either because of changes in energy levels or a health condition that restricts movement. Or they may need more calories and protein if they suffer from a health condition causing muscle loss (sarcopenia). It’s important to match the calories in any dog’s diet to their needs, because otherwise they can lose or gain too much weight—and, as noted above, maintaining a healthy body condition is linked to dogs’ well-being and longevity.

But, for most seniors, “calorie needs decrease,” said Dr. Wynn. “There are metabolic changes that lead to this decrease in calorie requirements, but older dogs can also become less active due to pain or illness.”

Still, simply feeding less food isn’t usually the go-to recommendation from veterinarians, Dr. Wynn said, “because with some diets, this can lead to nutrient deficiencies.” Fortunately, all recipes from The Farmer’s Dog are complete and balanced to meet the needs of adult dogs including seniors, and our Customer Care team will work with you as you navigate your dog’s changing dietary needs—so you can be sure that, even if you do change the amount your senior dog eats, they will receive the nutrients they need for a healthy, happy life.

Does my dog need a senior diet?

The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), the organization that sets nutritional standards for pet food, has no official nutrient profile for senior dogs. Your dog may need to start a special diet if they’ve developed an age-related condition, but there’s no need to change their food based on age alone.

The Farmer’s Dog offers complete and balanced diets for dogs at all stages of life—and research has shown that our fresh food can support healthier aging in dogs. It’s easy to adjust your dog’s plan at any time, and our Customer Care team will work with you to find the best plan for them through all life milestones.

How often should I feed my senior dog?

As with calorie counts, the answer to this question varies according to your dog’s nutritional needs, activity levels, and other factors. Pay attention to whether your dog finishes all their food. You can try offering smaller meals more frequently, even three or four times a day, if their appetite is diminishing—but if that doesn’t encourage them to eat, go to the vet. What’s most important is that they’re getting all the nutrients they need.

How much water does my senior dog need?

Every dog should have free access to fresh water—and this can be even more important for senior dogs. More is often better when it comes to hydration—but drinking too much water (consistently draining their whole bowl at once, for example) may be a sign of dehydration or illness. Make sure that their water bowl is filled and clean, changing their water at least once a day. 

Fresh food is another way to ensure your dog is meeting their daily hydration needs, because it naturally contains more water than kibble. A peer-reviewed study published in 2025 comparing dogs fed either kibble or fresh food from The Farmer’s Dog found that dogs eating a fresh diet consumed more water despite drinking less from their bowls.

By paying close attention to your dog’s needs and watching for changes in their body and behavior, you can give them the right nutrition and the best chance to stay happy and thriving into their later years. And—as always—if you have any specific questions about your dog’s health, give their veterinarian a call.

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