In this article:
- When is a dog considered a senior?
- What are the benefits of The Farmer’s Dog for senior dogs?
- Can fresh food support healthy aging in dogs?
- Does The Farmer’s Dog have a senior dog recipe?
- Is The Farmer’s Dog good for senior dogs with health issues?
This article was originally published in May of 2024, and has been updated.
A high-quality, complete and balanced diet is the best foundation for a senior dog’s health—and The Farmer’s Dog is a great choice for dogs of any age, including seniors.
Our fresh, gently cooked food is formulated by on-staff, Board-Certified Veterinary Nutritionists® to meet standards set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) for dogs in all stages of life, and has benefits that are particularly relevant to seniors. Here are the details about when dogs become seniors, what they need in their diets, and why The Farmer’s Dog can help them thrive well into their golden years.
When is a dog considered a senior?
Contrary to folk wisdom, figuring out a dog’s age in “human years” isn’t as simple as multiplying their chronological age by seven. According to the American Animal Hospital Association’s (AAHA) 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 9 to 10 1/2.
Ultimately, any changes you make as your dog gets older—whether to their diet, the type or amount of exercise they get, or anything else—should be about their individual needs rather than their chronological age. Some people assume that dogs who reach “senior” status require special food that’s labeled as being for that stage of life, but there is no official AAFCO standard for senior food and no reason that dogs who are thriving on their current diet should make a switch based on age alone. Companies’ “senior” formulas depend on their philosophies about senior dogs’ nutritional needs, but there’s no guarantee that those changes will make sense for a particular dog. In fact, there are many reasons that seniors can benefit from being on The Farmer’s Dog.
What are the benefits of The Farmer’s Dog for senior dogs?
Our food is made with fresh meats and vegetables that are gently cooked so they retain their vital nutrients—which can help support seniors’ immune-system function. Research shows that fresh, gently cooked food is more digestible than heavily processed kibble. And our own multi-year feeding study shows that our food is bioavailable—meaning your dog’s body is absorbing and using its nutrients.
Our food has some other benefits that are especially relevant to seniors:
• It’s clinically shown to support healthy aging on a cellular level, reducing formation of harmful compounds linked to age-related decline.
• It contains more moisture than dried, ultra-processed pellets—helping to keep your dog’s body hydrated and aiding digestion and elimination. Research shows that dogs eating fresh, human-grade food from The Farmer’s Dog take in more water than those eating dry kibble, even when kibble-fed dogs lap up water all day long.
• It’s soft, and easy to eat for dogs who may be missing teeth.
• It’s clinically shown to be more palatable than leading kibble brands (it tastes better), which is a huge plus for older dogs who become pickier eaters.
• It contains high-quality protein sources that can help senior dogs maintain lean muscle mass.
• Its high-quality omega-3 fatty acids can help support your senior dog’s joint, brain, heart, and coat health.
It’s critical to feed your dog the right amount of food—at any age. Excess weight is a serious, and all too common, health issue for dogs—around 60% of American pet dogs are overweight or obese. Carrying extra weight can put strain on senior dogs’ joints, and is linked to diseases like diabetes and cancer. Research has shown that dogs in ideal body condition can live up to 2.5 years longer than those who are overweight or obese. Knowing exactly what your dog is eating, and being precise about how many calories they’re consuming each day—as you can do when they’re on a pre-portioned fresh-food plan—makes it easier to control their weight.
Whether your senior needs to lose, gain, or maintain weight, opting for a fresh-food plan from The Farmer’s Dog takes the guesswork out of determining their correct daily caloric intake. A dog’s caloric requirements can vary so much, based on so many factors, that it’s impossible to make a recommendation based on age or weight alone. That’s why the vague portion suggestions on kibble bags often lead to overfeeding (one study shows up to 152% overestimation of portions by dog owners). The Farmer’s Dog pre-portions each dog’s food based on their individual needs, factoring in weight, activity level, spay/neuter status, and more. As your dog’s needs change—for reasons including but not limited to their age—it’s easy to make adjustments.
| Senior dog health concern | The Farmer’s Dog benefit |
| Trouble chewing | Our fresh food is easier for dogs to chew and swallow than dry food, making it a good choice for dogs with few or no teeth. |
| Dehydration | According to published, peer-reviewed research, fresh food from The Farmer’s Dog hydrates dogs better than kibble. |
| Weight management | Our food comes pre-portioned according to each dog’s needs to help them reach and maintain a healthy weight and body condition. |
| Picky eating | The Farmer’s Dog is clinically shown to be highly palatable, making it a strong choice for senior dogs who may have less of an appetite. |
| Aging | The Farmer’s Dog supports healthy aging. According to published, peer-reviewed research, fresh food from The Farmer’s Dog supports healthy aging at a cellular level. |
Can fresh food support healthy aging in dogs?
Peer-reviewed, published research shows that fresh food from The Farmer’s Dog can support healthy aging in dogs.
We conducted and published a study with Cornell University in October 2025, in the journal Metabolites that compared the metabolic profiles of dogs who ate kibble with those who switched to a fresh, ready-to-eat formula from The Farmer’s Dog. In the study, 22 healthy Alaskan sled dogs over age 12 were fed a specific dry-food diet for four months and then divided into two groups. One group continued eating kibble for the next 12 months, while the other group transitioned to fresh, minimally processed, human-grade food.
The fresh-fed group showed a rapid, sustained metabolic shift in just 30 days, including lower levels of harmful compounds called advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which are associated with aging and chronic disease.
Does The Farmer’s Dog have a senior dog recipe?
The Farmer’s Dog offers recipes that are great for seniors. AAFCO specifies nutritional requirements for growth and reproduction, or adult maintenance, but not for senior dogs. While some foods are marketed as “senior” recipes, there is no specific nutrient profile designated for senior dogs.
Recipes from The Farmer’s Dog are formulated for all stages of life, meaning dogs of all ages can receive all the nutrients they need in proper proportions from our food. And, as noted above, our food offers benefits that are especially relevant to senior dogs.
Is The Farmer’s Dog good for senior dogs with health issues?
The Farmer’s Dog is a healthy choice for dogs from the moment they start weaning through their senior years, but dogs with particular medical conditions may require specialized diets. Many dogs with health conditions thrive on The Farmer’s Dog—but the person who’s most qualified to talk about your senior’s specific needs is your veterinarian. If you’re interested in the benefits of fresh food, but your senior has never eaten it before, it’s never too late to make the switch to The Farmer’s Dog—and it only takes a few minutes to sign up.
Frequently asked questions
Do senior dogs need food labeled “senior”?
No, senior dogs don’t need food labeled “senior.” There is no official AAFCO standard for senior food and no reason that dogs who are thriving on their current diet should make a switch based on age alone.
Is The Farmer’s Dog formulated for senior dogs?
Food from The Farmer’s Dog is formulated for all stages of life, meaning dogs at any age will receive a complete and balanced diet appropriate for them based on their age, sex, weight, breed, and more. Contact our Customer Care team 24/7 to learn more about which recipes are best for your senior dog.
How much should a senior dog eat?
Every senior dog has different nutritional needs based on factors like their activity levels, health conditions, body condition score, and more. Some senior dogs’ nutritional and feeding needs may change as they get older.
When does a senior dog need a different diet?
There is no reason that dogs who are thriving on their current diet should make a switch based on age alone. Talk to your veterinarian about the best diet for your dog based on their health needs.
Is it too late to switch an older dog to fresh food?
It’s never too late to switch an older dog to fresh food. Dogs at any age can stand to benefit from a fresh, human-grade diet. Learn more about The Farmer’s Dog here.
The post Is The Farmer’s Dog Good For My Senior Dog? appeared first on The Farmer’s Dog - Digest.
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