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Categories Dog 13 October 2025

Dry food and kibble for senior dogs: how to improve their quality of life.

Kibble for senior dogs is not all the same. And above all, it is not the only measure to keep senior dogs healthy. If your four-legged friend is no longer young, read this article to discover all the best practices for the senior dog’s diet and to ensure them a good quality of life.

When is a dog considered senior?

Generally, a dog transitions from adult to senior between 7 and 10 years of age, with some individual differences or differences due to size. Small breed dogs, in fact, seem to age later than medium or large breeds.

The main “symptoms” of advancing age are:

  • Loss of energy;
  • Increase in fat mass;
  • Slowing of metabolism;
  • Dehydration;
  • Digestive difficulties;
  • Vision and hearing problems.

If your dog shows even one of these warning signs, call the veterinarian immediately to verify that the cause is truly attributable to age and to receive the correct therapeutic support.

Does their coat look dull? Read our in-depth article on the possible causes and the rules for maintaining their coat and skin health.

Senior dog diet: what changes

The slowing of metabolism and the reduction in movement mean that the nutritional requirements of mature dogs decrease by 20–25% compared to those of adults.

Given that the main causes of death—such as tumors, heart disease, kidney diseases, and diabetes—are also linked to nutrition, it is appropriate to carefully follow the diet for senior dogs, ensuring your dog gets all the necessary proteins, as well as administering meals more frequently (at least 3 throughout the day).

At the same time, hydration should be encouraged, making sure the dog drinks several times a day. This is especially true if their diet is based on dry food for senior dogs.

Outings and veterinary visits are also essential in the latter part of their life. Don’t know how to set up your four-legged friend’s routine? Read our guide on dog health.

Nutritional needs: fiber, vitamins, and protein for senior dogs

Advancing age threatens joint, cognitive, and muscle health. This is why kibble for senior dogs must contain high-quality proteins, to help them maintain muscle mass, and very little fat, so as not to encourage its dangerous accumulation. Lamb, chicken, turkey, and rabbit are the most suitable proteins because they are easy to digest.

A good dry food for mature dogs must also contain fiber to support digestive functions. Are you wondering what the best fibers in the senior dog diet are? Undoubtedly, those obtained from traceable raw materials and processed in a way that preserves their properties.

Finally, supplements and vitamins are very important as they help to cleanse the liver, eliminate free radicals, promote the assimilation of nutrients such as calcium, and strengthen the immune system.

So, is it necessary to add supplements for mature dogs to the bowl? The answer is no, but only if you choose complete, quality foods specifically for senior dogs.

Senior dog kibble: what to choose

You can recognize good senior dog kibble by:

  • The label, because the protein sources are listed as the first ingredient and they do not contain grains, artificial colors, preservatives, or sugars;
  • The texture, because they are crunchy but soft enough to facilitate chewing;
  • The consistent protein content (at least 22–25% of the analytical constituents);
  • The integration of vitamins A, D3, E, C, K3, B1, B2, B12;
  • The addition of iron, copper, manganese, zinc, selenium, and calcium;
  • The appropriate size, because every size should be able to receive kibble of the correct size;
  • The presence of natural foods that support the digestion of mature dogs, such as artichoke and yucca.

Are you thinking of abandoning kibble and starting to cook for your pet? Read our guide on the home-cooked diet for dogs and cats.

Naxos monoprotein mature senior dog kibble

The Naxos monoprotein mature line was created from the need to formulate the best monoprotein kibble for senior dogs. For this reason, it has a high nutritional value and contains a mix of vitamins and minerals.

Furthermore, each package of Naxos senior dry dog food contains chondroitin and glucosamine, for strengthening cartilage and maintaining the joint health of senior dogs, and uses only one protein source: Italian lamb.

To ensure the best possible quality of life for your best friend, we have added three precious superfoods:

  • Sicilian citrus fruits, which have a strong antioxidant power and reduce stress;
  • Spirulina algae, which supports the immune system and promotes weight maintenance in senior dogs;
  • Prickly pear, to ensure intestinal well-being.

Try Naxos monoprotein mature mini or medium/maxi. Find out where to find us online and offline.