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.
🐾🌷The Ruffwear Front Range Flex Collection
🐕
Meet Harley, out in the tulip fields and ready for her next outing in the Front Range Flex Harness, Collar, and Leash.
🌷
Whether it’s a walk through the neighborhood or your next PNW adventure, this collection is designed for everyday use and changing conditions:
🐾
Lightweight and built to handle wet conditions
Easy to clean, just hand-wash and air-dry
Made with durable materials for every outing
🌷
Harley picked her look… now it’s your turn.
🐾
The Ruffwear Front Range Flex Collection is now available at Mud Bay. Shop in-store or online today!
#mudbay #ruffwear #adventure #dogwalk #pnwdogs
This cheese-flavored 🧀 💊 pill wrap helps make giving medicine easier for both dogs and cats. 🐕 🐈 Simply tear, wrap, and serve. It’s quick and mess-free.
🐾
The soft texture can be torn to fit any pill, and the cheese flavor makes each dose easier to give. Now with pumpkin, and always free from grain, gluten, and soy.
🐾
Stashio’s is a woman-owned company from Minnesota that creates simple solutions for daily pet care.
🐾
You can find Stashio’s wrap-ups at Mud Bay, both in-store and online.
#mudbay #stashios #wrapup #healthypets #pnwpets
Let your dog relax 💆 and unwind with a Puptail.
🌞
After a walk, run, hike, or just because, this brunch-inspired Puptail is a fun way to help your pup slow down and take it easy. It’s easy to make and flexible, so you can mix and match to make it your own.
🐾
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp Green Juju Golden Blend
- 1 tbsp blueberries
- 1 tbsp banana slices
- 1/2 cup Primal Raw Goat’s Milk Cranberry Blast
- Swell Dog Gelato Banana and Peanut Butter (for topping)
- Wagster Banana and Toasted Coconut Biscuits
- Green Juju Freeze Dried Vitality Blend
- Furvor Concentrated Beef Bone Broth (for ice cubes)
🐾
Optional Extras 🐕 🐶
Blueberry and bone broth ice cubes
Wag and Bright Supply Co. Spirulina and Beef Collagen dog chew
🌞
Directions
1. Add Green Juju Golden Blend as your base
2. Layer in blueberries and banana slices
3. Pour in goat’s milk between layers
4. Repeat layers as desired, then freeze or serve as is
5. Top with gelato, biscuits, and freeze-dried blend
6. Add ice cubes and extras for a cool finish
#mudbay #treatyoself #pup #summeriscoming #puptail
Furvor bone broth is made with 100% human-grade ingredients and is up to 30 times more concentrated than regular broths. It provides protein, collagen, amino acids, and important nutrients to help your dog’s gut, joints, skin, coat, and overall health.
🐕
The 20 oz bottle provides more than 20 servings, making it an easy way to add beneficial nutrition to your dog’s daily routine at home.
🐕
If you’re out and about, Furvor’s single-serve pouches will help keep your dog hydrated, with a pep in their step wherever you go. They’re great for summer, hikes, walks, or days by the water.
🐕
Just tear open, squeeze, and serve. You can mix it with water, pour it over kibble, or give it on its own. You can buy them one at a time or in a pack of six.
🐕
Shop Furvor Bone Broth in-store or online today! 🛍️ 🐾
#mudbay #furvor #healthypets #pnwpets #bonebroth
Capstar Oral Flea & Tick Treatment
🐾When fleas show up, it helps to act quickly. Capstar is an easy-to-use oral treatment that starts working in about 30 minutes and can kill most fleas within the first few hours. It’s a simple way to bring fast relief and can be used alongside your dog’s regular flea and tick routine.
🐕
Vetality Flea & Tick Monthly Topical Treatment
🐾 For ongoing protection, Vetality Avantect offers vet-quality coverage at a great value.
🐾
These broad-spectrum topicals kill and repel fleas, flea eggs, ticks, and mosquitoes, while also targeting all stages of the flea life cycle. It also helps repel biting flies and kill lice. Available in four weight ranges and a four-month supply for continued protection.
🐕
🛍️ Shop in-store or online today.
#mudbay #fleaandtickseason #healthypets #dogs #fleafree
We have all the treats, toys, and zoomie-inducing catnip options for your cat, both in-store and online at Mud Bay.
🐈
So whether you have a cat who likes to bite, rabbit-kick, or lie back and relax with a nice treat and some catnip, we have what your feline friend needs to keep them happy, healthy, and engaged.🐈
#mudbay #cats #cattreats #catnip #cattoys
Oven-fresh meals straight to your dog’s bowl.
🐾
Nulo Culinary Harvest is a high-protein, oven-baked dog food, basted in bone broth to support your dog’s digestion and joint health.
Nulo only uses high-quality proteins like turkey, herring, chicken, pork, lamb, and beef, then bakes each formula slowly at low temperatures to retain nutrients and make meals easier to digest.
🐾
Choose from Adult recipes such as Chicken & Whitefish, Turkey & Herring, or Pork & Lamb, available in 4-lb or 25-lb bags. For small breeds, Beef & Lamb comes in 4-lb and 10-lb bags.
🐕
Shop Nulo Culinary Harvest Oven-Baked Dog Food in stores or order online today!
#mudbay #nulo #healthypets #ovenbaked #dogfood
Did you know that Mud Bay now has sushi 🍣 for cats?
😻
Thanks to our friends at Fabcat, your cat can now enjoy a 5-piece sushi combo platter at Mud Bay. Each piece is not only fun to play with, but also filled with North American-grown catnip that will get your cat excited to bite, swat, and zoom around.
🍣
Check out the Fabcat Sushi Combo Platter and treat your cat to something special. Available in-store or online.
#mudbay #sushitime #orderup #cats #catnip
Looking for a simple way to slow things down at mealtime or keep your dog busy?🤔
🐕
The Walkabout from Woof is a multi-purpose enrichment toy that can hold up to 2 cups of food or treats. Just twist it open, fill it up, and rotate the inner dial to adjust how quickly food is released.
🐕
It’s designed for quieter play, gentle on teeth, and safe for your floors—no marks, no noise, just steady engagement.
🐶
A great option for busy days, working from home, or dogs that need a little extra enrichment. 🛒 🛍️ Shop the Walkabout in-store or online at Mud Bay.
#mudbay #puzzletoy #woof #dogs #healthypets
You heard us, now we want to hear from you! 📣 👂
🐾
We want to know your dog’s favorite woof Pupsicle recipe. Let us know what your pup loves most in their Pupsicle. We’d love to share your recipes with our followers, too.
🐕
Send us a DM, leave a comment, share photos, or tag us in your favorite woof recipe. We might even make your recipe in-store and give you a shout-out! We can’t wait to hear from you.
🐾
Stay tuned, because we’ll be sharing some of your recipes 🧑🍳 in the coming weeks!
#mudbay #woof #letusknow #healthypets #pupsicle
Nulo Culinary Harvest coming soon at Mud Bay!
🐕
This new option from Nulo is an oven-baked, high-protein dog food basted in bone broth. And because it’s oven-baked, that means it’s cooked at a lower temperature, so your dog can absorb more nutrients and get the most out of each meal. The bone broth also adds extra flavor, perfect for dogs who appreciate something extra at mealtime that also has functional benefits to their overall health.
🐕
Nulo Culinary Harvest for Adult and Small Breed dogs, will soon be available both in-store and online at Mud Bay.
#mudbay #healthypets #nulo #dogfood
🐝 🌷 🌈 Spring is here, and that means fleas and ticks are back. To help protect your cat, we’re excited to offer new TropiClean 🌴 options designed to make care simple and effective.
🐈
TropiClean Laundry Additive helps tackle fleas, ticks, eggs, and larvae right in your wash. Just add half a cup with your regular detergent, let it soak for 10 to 15 minutes, and use it on bedding, towels, blankets, rugs, and toys. Plus, it’s safe for use with your dog!
🐈
TropiClean Gentle No-Rinse Cat Shampoo offers an easy way to clean and protect without the hassle. It helps eliminate fleas, ticks, and mites, protects against mosquitoes, and is safe for pets and kids.
🐈
TropiClean Gentle Mist for Cats is a quick, on-the-go option for added protection. Just spray and go for an easy way to help protect against fleas, ticks, mites, and mosquitoes.
🐈
You can shop TropiClean products for your cat in-store and online at Mud Bay.
#mudbay #fleaprotection #tropiclean #tropicalclean #healthypets
