What senior food for my sensitive, grain-free, low-fat dog?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Large (61lb +) | Female | spayed | 65 lbs
My dog currently eats a "limited ingredient" dog food as she has always had a sensitive stomach. She does best without grains and without too much fat. I've been told that she needs to switch to a "Senior" food as she gets older, but I'm having a hard time finding that with her dietary restrictions. How do I keep feeding her well as she ages? Is there a limited food for seniors I haven't found or do I need to start cooking for her?
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on April 21st, 2017
My understanding with senior diets is that there are no general guidelines that all follow. This can lead to a wide variation in the protein and mineral content of these senior diets. In general, if a senior dog is healthy and doing well on their current adult diet, I do not recommend switching diets, nor do most veterinary nutritionists. As always, talk to Tova's vet to see if their recommendation differs, but given her sensitive stomach concerns, I would hesitate to change anything.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on August 12th, 2019
Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about your dog. I think Hill's Science Diet is a great food. I'm not sure why your vet would recommend a grain free food especially since with information coming out about grain free diets and an increase in dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs. The FDA is investigating this link. I never recommend grain free unless the dog have a proven allergy to grains, which is very rare. I personally see no reason to switch to a grain free food but you could feed her a senior dog food for the lower calories. Hill's has an excellent senior dog food. I hope this helps!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
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