As our dogs age, their needs change — and their diet plays a vital role in keeping them healthy, happy, and active in their golden years. Senior dogs benefit from a diet that supports lean muscle mass, maintains a healthy weight, and promotes joint mobility, digestion, and overall vitality.
ORIJEN and ACANA Senior recipes are specifically crafted to meet these needs. By focusing on high-quality protein from fresh animal ingredients, these diets deliver essential nutrients while maintaining palatability and variety that older dogs enjoy.
Why High-Protein, Low-Carb Diets Are Ideal for Senior Dogs
Dogs, like their wild ancestors, are carnivores designed for a diet rich in protein and fat. As they age, maintaining lean muscle mass becomes increasingly important, as it supports mobility and overall health. Both ORIJEN and ACANA Senior recipes provide higher levels of protein from fresh free-run chicken and turkey, cage-free eggs, and whole wild-caught fish such as flounder and herring — all delivered fresh or raw for maximum nutritional benefit.
In addition, these senior diets are free from grains, using farm-fresh vegetables and fruit — such as kale, pumpkin, squash, and apples — to provide fibre, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to support healthy digestion, maintain steady blood sugar levels, and boost overall wellbeing.
ORIJEN Senior
ORIJEN Senior features 85% quality animal ingredients, with two-thirds of these delivered fresh or raw. Its WholePrey philosophy uses nutrient-rich organs, cartilage, and bone alongside meat and fish to provide naturally balanced vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids.
This biologically appropriate formula:
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Supports lean muscle and overall body condition
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Promotes digestive health with prebiotic fibre from vegetables, fruits, and chicory root
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Helps maintain mobility with naturally occurring glucosamine and chondroitin
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Supports skin and coat with omega-3 fatty acids from fish
By providing a higher protein, medium fat, lower carbohydrate diet that mirrors a natural ancestral diet, ORIJEN Senior helps your dog age healthily while enjoying every meal.
ACANA Senior Recipe
ACANA Senior is also specially formulated to meet the nutritional needs of older dogs. With 65% high-quality animal ingredients, including free-run chicken, cage-free eggs, sustainably-caught fish, ACANA Senior provides rich, balanced nutrition.
The remaining 35% of the diet is made up of farm-fresh vegetables, fruit, and botanicals — including pumpkin, squash, kale, and blueberries — to support digestion, provide antioxidants, and maintain overall wellness.
ACANA Senior’s protein-rich formulation supports healthy body weight and lean muscle, while carefully selected ingredients help maintain blood sugar levels, aid digestion, and promote joint and mobility health.
Feeding Tips for Senior Dogs
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Monitor weight and body condition: Adjust feeding portions to maintain a healthy body condition as your dog’s metabolism slows.
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Provide regular exercise: Gentle walks, play, and mental stimulation keep senior dogs active and maintain muscle mass.
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Transition gradually: When moving to a senior diet, mix with their previous food over 7–10 days to ensure smooth digestion.
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Hydration matters: Older dogs may drink less water, so ensure fresh water is always available, and consider incorporating wet food or broth if hydration is a concern.
Feeding a senior-appropriate, high-quality diet such as ORIJEN or ACANA Senior can help your dog maintain strength, vitality, and comfort well into their later years. Choosing the right nutrition is one of the best ways to ensure they enjoy a happy, healthy life.
