Senior Dog Food: Find out what Dr Jones Feeds his Senior Dog | EASY & VET-APPROVED

By Dr. Andrew Jones March 12, 2025 0 Comment

Healthy Homemade Dog Food Recipe for Senior Dogs

If you have a senior dog like my little Tula, who is 13 and a half years old, you may be wondering about the best way to keep her healthy and well-nourished. In this video, I’ll be showing you a great homemade dog food recipe specifically for senior dogs. Whether you’re looking to learn more about natural pet health or need ideas for feeding your senior dog, you’ve come to the right place. So, let’s get started!

Balanced Recipe for a 25 lb Senior Dog: Tula’s Daily Meal

This recipe is based on Tula’s weight (25 lbs), and the amount of food she needs for a full day. It includes key nutrients designed to support senior dog health, such as potassium and essential fatty acids, and is crafted to be healthy and nutritious for her aging body.

Step 1: Protein – Turkey

We’ll start with animal protein, which is crucial for maintaining muscle mass and overall health in senior dogs. The rule of thumb is one pound of animal protein per 50 lbs of body weight daily. Since Tula is 25 lbs, she needs half a pound of animal protein, which we’ll get from turkey.

Turkey is an excellent source of protein and contains important minerals such as iron and zinc. These minerals are vital for a senior dog’s health, and turkey is low in unhealthy saturated fats, making it ideal for Tula.

To prepare, chop up the turkey and cook it in a pan.

Step 2: Organ Meat – Chicken Liver

Next, we’ll add a small amount of organ meat, specifically chicken liver, because it’s nutrient-dense and packed with protein. Organ meats like chicken liver are great for muscle repair and maintenance, and they provide essential vitamins and minerals such as:

Vitamin A – Great for eye health and immune support.
Iron – Key for red blood cell production.
Zinc – Crucial for the immune system and skin health.
Selenium – A powerful antioxidant that helps reduce free radical damage.

You only need a small amount of chicken liver—about one tablespoon—which will make up less than 5% of the total recipe.

Step 3: Carbohydrate – Brown Rice

For carbohydrates, we’ll add brown rice, which provides fiber and a range of essential nutrients:

Protein
Fiber
Calcium
Iron
Vitamins
Selenium (an antioxidant)

Add one cup of cooked brown rice to the mix. It’s a great and affordable source of energy for senior dogs like Tula.

Step 4: Vegetables – Carrots and Kale

Vegetables are a key part of a balanced diet, and they provide essential vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber. For this recipe, I’m using carrots and kale, both of which offer unique benefits:

Carrots: Rich in beta-carotene (which supports eye health and immune function) and fiber. A study even showed that feeding carrots to dogs (specifically Westies) three times a week helped reduce their chances of developing bladder cancer by up to five times!
Kale: One of the most nutrient-dense vegetables you can feed your dog, kale is packed with antioxidants and contains compounds that support the immune system, cognitive function, and even reduce inflammation.

For this recipe, we’ll add half a cup of loosely packed kale and half a cup of uncooked carrots.

Step 5: Healthy Fats – Olive Oil

Next, we’ll add olive oil for its healthy fats. Olive oil is rich in vitamin E, an essential antioxidant that helps protect against cellular damage. It also contains omega-3 fatty acids, which are vital for joint health, cognitive function, and skin health in senior dogs.

We’ll add one tablespoon of olive oil to the recipe.

Step 6: Calcium – Ground Eggshell

Since we’re not including bones in this recipe, we’ll need to add calcium to ensure a balanced diet for healthy bones, joints, and ligaments. We’ll use ground eggshell to provide the necessary calcium.

Add half a teaspoon (650 mg) of ground eggshell to the recipe.

Step 7: Omega-3 Fatty Acids – Krill Oil Supplement

To support joint health, cognitive function, and overall inflammation reduction, I recommend adding a good-quality omega-3 fatty acid supplement. Krill oil is an excellent source of omega-3s, and these fatty acids are particularly beneficial for aging dogs. Omega-3s can also help with skin conditions, joint disease, and cognitive decline.

Add one 500 mg krill oil capsule to the recipe.

Step 8: Joint Support – Canine Supplement

For extra support, I suggest adding a high-quality canine supplement that contains glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM to support your dog’s joints. Probiotics are also a great addition to help with digestion and overall immune health.

Step 9: Antioxidants – Curcumin

Curcumin is a potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant herb that can help reduce inflammation associated with arthritis and cognitive decline. It’s also been shown to support cancer prevention and reduce free radical damage.

Add one scoop of a curcumin supplement to the recipe.

Step 10: Additional Fiber – Ground Flax

As your dog ages, they may experience issues with constipation or difficulty passing stool. Adding extra fiber can help alleviate this, and ground flax is an excellent source of both fiber and antioxidants. It also contains omega-3 fatty acids to support joint and skin health.

Add half a tablespoon of ground flax to the recipe.

Final Recipe for Tula’s Balanced Senior Diet

Now, let’s mix everything together:

Half a pound of chopped turkey
One tablespoon of cooked chicken liver
One cup of cooked brown rice
Half a cup of kale
Half a cup of carrots
One tablespoon of olive oil
Half a teaspoon of ground eggshell (650 mg calcium)
One 500 mg krill oil capsule
One scoop of curcumin supplement
Half a tablespoon of ground flax

Mix everything thoroughly, and voilà! Tula’s nutritious, balanced, and healthy homemade dog food is ready to be served.

Conclusion

This homemade recipe provides Tula with a balanced diet that supports her aging joints, skin, and overall health. It’s packed with protein, antioxidants, healthy fats, and essential nutrients that are especially beneficial for senior dogs. I encourage you to try this recipe for your senior dog and see the positive effects it can have on their health.

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