There isn’t a single answer to that question because it depends on the size of the dog, which correlates to the dog’s estimated lifespan. Small dogs become senior dogs at the age of nine, and they become geriatric dogs at the age of twelve. A medium dog is a senior dog at eight and a geriatric dog at ten. Large dogs hit senior status at six, and geriatric status at eight.
When your dog becomes a senior, it’s a great time to talk with your vet and consider getting routine bloodwork done to uncover any underlying health problems. Even if your dog is completely healthy, it also gives you a good baseline for what’s normal for your dog.
There are four main things to consider: Protein amount, protein quality, overall digestibility and moisture content. Dogs are facultative carnivores, so they need to eat high-quality meat to thrive through all stages of their life. But as they age, it’s harder for them to digest foods well. Therefore, it becomes really important for the protein quality, and therefore the overall digestibility of the food, to be high. And finally, moisture content in the food helps reduce the strain on the liver and kidneys of older dogs.
Palatability is also a major concern. If your dog has dental disease, he may have trouble chewing kibble. Some dogs also lose their sense of smell as they age. The solution to these problems is a wet, dehydrated or raw food diet, which is easier to chew and has a smell that’s distinctive to kibble.
Not necessarily. Senior food formulas tend to have fewer calories and fat than adult formulas. They may also contain more fiber, depending on the formulation. There are many excellent senior dog foods, but you should choose carefully to make sure that protein levels are adequate for your dog’s needs.
If a senior or geriatric dog doesn’t have a health condition that benefits from a low protein diet, I recommend keeping protein levels high to prevent muscle loss. Sarcopenia, which is the term used for muscle loss associated with aging, can be a result of your dog not getting their protein needs met. Some senior dog foods may only have 18 percent protein dry matter, which is significantly less than many adult foods.
I’ve looked at the studies surrounding sarcopenia and senior dogs, and if your dog doesn’t have a health condition that requires a low protein food, it’s better to look for a food with at least 24 percent dry matter protein. If you look at the back of a can, pouch or bag of dog food that translates to 8% for raw frozen dog food; 5 % for wet food; and 22% for kibble and freeze-dried foods.
Older dogs can benefit from food transitions, but not necessarily from a transition between an adult kibble to a senior kibble. You see, as dogs age, they become less able to fully digest their food. Therefore, switching to a high-quality protein source that comes from wet food, dehydrated food or raw food becomes even more important. Even swapping out 10 percent of the kibble with raw food can have significant health benefits for a dog.
A high-quality dog food is going to help you maintain your dog’s overall health, so it’s worth finding one that meets your household’s needs and your dog’s tastes. If your dog has any other health concerns, it’s also worth considering if the right supplement or change in diet could help improve these problems. Dental, joint, skin and coat health can often be improved through the right mix of supplements and dietary changes. Some dogs’ mental health can also be improved with a mixture of antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids.https://olddoghaven.org/13493-2
But really, if you have a senior dog, it’s important to talk about any health concerns you might have with your dog’s veterinarian. Many people mistakenly think that legitimate, curable health problems are just normal parts of a dog getting old. Older dogs may slow down slightly, but pain, significant muscle loss, or loss of interest in food isn’t normal: It’s a problem that you can work to address through proper nutrition and in partnership with your veterinarian
Updated February 2026
Dr. Katy Miller is the Director of Veterinary Services at BSM Partners. She previously served for 11 years as the Director of Dog and Cat Health and Nutrition for Mud Bay. Dr. Katy is a graduate of Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, with her clinical year spent at Louisiana State School of Veterinary Medicine. She is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Washington State Veterinary Medical Association, American Academy of Veterinary Nutrition, and the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association.
Weruva WX Phos Focused Freeze-Dried Chicken and Tilapia is a low-phosphorus, high-protein supplement made from 93% boneless, skinless chicken breast, tilapia, and egg white. It has no grains, fillers, bones, or organs.
🐈
Due to its naturally low phosphorus content, this food is suitable for cats requiring phosphorus management, particularly those with kidney conditions. Additionally, it’s highly digestible protein helps maintain lean muscle mass.
🐈
You can serve it dry or add water to soften the texture. Adding water can help your cat digest it more easily and boost their daily water intake. This recipe is meant as a supplement and works well as a topper or treat alongside a complete, balanced diet.
🐈
If you want help figuring out if this is right for your cat, visit your local Mud Bay and speak with a Muddy, or shop with us online today.
#mudbay #healthypets #kidneyhealth #cats #catfood
If your pup brings the energy indoors, meet their new favorite toy. The ultra plush Fluff & Tuff Soccer Ball is designed for fetch, toss, and all-out play.
⚽ 🐕
With a strong inner mesh liner and concealed double stitching, it delivers the durability Fluff & Tuff is known for in a soft, soccer-inspired design.
⚽ 🐕
Kick off the fun and shop the Fluff & Tuff Soccer Ball in-store or online at Mud Bay.
#mudbay #fluffandtuff #dogs #timetoplay #healthypets
Need to keep your dog engaged while you work, host, or help them burn energy?
🐕 🐶
The Woof LickMat and LickMix make enrichment easy.
The textured design encourages longer licking, helping promote calm behavior and engagement. Premeasured lines make portioning easy every time.
🐾 🐕
Simply mix the grain-free Cheddar and Bacon LickMix. It’s easy to digest, simple to prepare, and each bag provides 10 or more lick sessions. Made from 100 percent silicone, BPA-free, and dishwasher safe. Strong suction cups keep the LickMat stable for easy, everyday use.
🐕 🐶
Enhance your dog’s daily enrichment—visit us in-store or online and bring home the woof LickMat and LickMix today.
#mudbay #woof #healthypets #dogs #petenrichment
👀 Looking for a way to slow down mealtime and keep your dog thinking? The GURU Pet Company Bobble Ball turns your dog’s food into an interactive activity.
🐕
Simply fill it with kibble or small treats, screw the top back on, and let the wobble begin. The weighted base creates unpredictable movement that keeps dogs engaged and working for every bite.
🐾
A great option for dogs new to enrichment or seasoned puzzle pros.
🐕
Shop in-store or online at Mud Bay today.
#mudbay #dogs #staybusy #healthypets #dogtoys
🎉 New Mud Bay Air-Dried Toppers are now available in-store and online at Mud Bay!
🐕
We’re excited to offer two new formulas that are complete and balanced for both cats and dogs.
🐈
The Digestive Support Formula has beneficial fiber from lentils and sweet potato, along with probiotic inulin from chicory root. It also includes organic apple cider vinegar for extra immune and digestive support.
🐾
Our Hip & Joint Support Formula features turmeric, oat flour, and omega-3 fatty acids from tuna 🐟 to help support joint mobility and immune health.
🐕
All Mud Bay Air-Dried Toppers are veterinarian-formulated and free of corn, wheat, soy, and artificial preservatives. And they are convenient and easy to use as a complete meal, a treat, or a topper.
🐈
You can find the full line—including Skin & Coat, Cognitive, Digestive, and Hip & Joint Support formulas—exclusively at Mud Bay.
#mudbay #healthypets #mealtime #pnwpets #mudbayairdriedtoppers
💫 New at Mud Bay!
🥥 🐕
CocoTherapy Cranberry Sweet Potato Pie and Peanut Butter Blondie Coco-Charms. Small in size and low in calories, they are an ideal training treat.
🥥 🐕
Made with 100% organic ingredients, you can feel good giving them to your dog during longer training sessions. CocoTherapy Coco-Charms are also free from grains, dairy, gluten, eggs, and preservatives, and are low glycemic.
🥥 🐕
Shop the Cranberry Sweet Potato Pie and Peanut Butter Blondie CocoTherapy Coco-Charms in-store or online today!
#mudbay #cocotherapy #trainingtreats #dogs #healthypets
🎉 🎉 GIVEAWAY! New Mud Bay Air-Dried Toppers for Cats & Dogs
🐾
We’re excited to give you a chance to win a bag of one of our newest Mud Bay Air-Dried Topper formulas.
Mud Bay Air-Dried Toppers are veterinarian-formulated, complete and balanced for cats and dogs, and easy to use as a topper, treat, or complete meal.
🐕
New Mud Bay Air-Dried Topper Formulas:
Digestive Support
Made with turkey, chicken, and lentils, plus organic apple cider vinegar and chicory root to help support healthy digestion and immune function.
🐈
Hip and Joint Support:
Made with turkey, chicken, fish, and oats, plus turmeric and omega-3s from tuna to help support mobility and joint health.
🐶
To enter:
👍 Like this post
😃 Tag us and tag a friend
🤝 Follow us
We’ll pick winners at random and notify them on April 16th. Each winner will receive a bag of our newest Mud Bay Air-Dried Toppers. 🍀 🤞 Good luck!
#mudbay #foodtoppers #dogs #cats #petfood
Check out these new aquatic-themed toys for your pup from Fluff & Tuff.
🦑
Available in-store now: Claude the squid, with tentacles that are great for tugging.
🐕
We also have Dottie the Puffer Fish, who will keep your pup active with a nice fetch session, and, last but not least, we have Millie the Axolotl, who is an engaging option for all of the above and ready to shake up your pup’s toy selection.
🐠
Shop these fun new Aquatic options for your pup in-store or online today!
#mudbay #fluffandtuff #dogtoys #playtime #pnwpets
We visited the local dog park today to share a fun spring surprise 👀🎉
🐕
The park pups got to try our newest Mud Bay Air-Dried Toppers!
🐾
We can’t share all the details on these new toppers yet, but here’s what we can tell you:
🐾
Two new formulas are coming soon, and you’ll find them both in stores and online. They’ll be available in 8-ounce and 24-ounce bags.
🐕
Just like our current toppers, these new formulas give both cats and dogs complete and balanced nutrition. You can serve them as a full meal, sprinkle them on top of their food, or offer them as a treat.
🐾
Thank you to all the pups who came by to try them today.🐾🎉
Check back next week because we have a giveaway coming up. Stay tuned and have a great spring!🌈 💐 🌷 ☀️ ☔
#mudbay #dogpark #sneaktreat #mudbayairdriedtoppers #new
Keep your pet happy and blissfully engaged with the woof LickMat and LickMix.
🐾 🐕
The LickMat is BPA-free, 100% silicone, and dishwasher safe on the top rack, with suction cups for stability and a design that encourages longer licking. It also features suction cups for stability and a design that encourages longer licking, while its built-in mixing bowl and measuring lines make mixing easy.
🐾 🐕
The Bacon and Cheese LickMix is grain-free and designed for use with the LickMat, woof Pupsicle, or as a meal topper. Each bag yields about 10 LickMat sessions when used as directed.
🐾 🐕
Treat your dog with the Woof LickMat and LickMix. Shop all woof products in-store and online today!
#mudbay #woof #dogs #enrichment #petproducts
Stock up on your dog’s favorite Bulk Biscuits and make every refill count.
🐾
Mud Bay’s Bulk Biscuits are all-natural, with many locally sourced options, including organic and grain-free varieties. When you refill your Mud Bay Mud Bucket, you pay $4.24 per pound instead of $4.99 on every refill. That’s 75 cents saved per pound, or 15% off each refill.
🐕
Our Mud Buckets are BPA-free, dishwasher safe, and come in two handy sizes: 2.75 liters and 8.5 liters. Designed for easy refills and fresher storage, they help make treating your dog simple and eco-friendly.
🐾
Refill. Reuse. Re-Biscuit. Visit your local Mud Bay today to pick up a Mud Bay Mud Bucket and some tasty biscuits for your dog!!
#mudbay #mudbuckets #dogs #treats #healthypets
Shhhhh! 🤫
🐈
Don’t tell your cats or dogs just yet, but we have two new Mud Bay Air-Dried Topper formulas landing in-store next month! We also want to let you know we`ll be offering a giveaway so that your pets can enjoy one of the new formulas.
🐕
More details to come, so stay tuned for your chance to win a bag of our newest Mud Bay Air-dried toppers.
#mudbay #airdried #comingsoon #airdriedtopper #giveaway
