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Can I feed senior pet food to my young adult dog? Is it healthy?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Can I feed senior pet food to a 2 1/2 year old

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Angel Alvarado, LVT

Licensed Veterinary Technician

Published on May 5th, 2015

Senior dog food formulas are lower in calories and contain less fat, protein and sodium. These may not fulfill the nutritional requirements of your dog. Furthermore, neither AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) nor the National Research Council (NRC) provides guidelines for senior dog formulas. There is NO distinction made between the nutritional requirements for adult dogs and those for senior dogs. As a result, the ingredients used in pet food marketed for ‘seniors’ is determined by the manufacturer and varies widely.

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