Is Different Dog suitable for senior dogs?

Yes, it's where fresh food tends to make the biggest difference. Our recipes are formulated with older dogs in mind: easy to digest, high in quality protein to maintain muscle, and packed with the nutrients they need to stay comfortable and active.

What is the best dog food for senior dogs?

Fresh food made with whole ingredients, gently cooked and free from unnecessary additives. As dogs age, digestibility and protein quality matter more than ever – both are built into every Different Dog recipe. Bianca, our nutritionist, can recommend the right ones for your dog.

Can fresh food help my dog's stiff joints?

It can support them. Natural sources of omega-3s and high-quality protein both play a role in joint health and muscle maintenance, and because fresh food is more digestible, dogs tend to get more usable nutrition from each meal.

How much should I feed my senior dog?

We work it out for you. When you build your plan, we calculate portions based on your dog's weight, age and activity level, so senior dogs get exactly what they need, nothing more. Keep an eye on how they get on and we can easily tweak portion sizes to suit your dog’s needs.

Is Different Dog food grain-free?

Yes. All our recipes ar grain and legume-free, which makes them easier on older digestive systems.

No, it's gently cooked. That protects the nutrients while making it safer and much easier for older dogs to digest than raw alternatives.

Do I need to add supplements?

No. Every recipe is nutritionally complete, so nothing's missing. If your dog has a specific health condition, our vet or nutritionist can advise on the right recipes for them.

How is it delivered and stored?

It’s all cooked fresh in our Shropshire kitchen, frozen for freshness and delivered across the UK in insulated packaging. Defrost, portion and serve – job done.

Freshly cooked food for senior dogs

They've earned a good meal. Freshly cooked, vet-approved food for older dogs, made to support their joints, digestion and appetite as they age.

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Freshly cooked food for senior dogs

They've earned a good meal. Freshly cooked, vet-approved food for older dogs, made to support their joints, digestion and appetite as they age.

What older dogs need from their food.

Senior dogs don't need less, they need better. As dogs age, digestion slows, joints stiffen and appetite can get more particular. Ultra-processed food makes all of that harder. Freshly cooked food made with whole ingredients is easier to break down, kinder on the gut and delivers the nutrients to keep your older dog thriving.

Why fresh food for older dogs is a no-brainer:

Better digestion, more nutritionGently cooked from whole ingredients, Different Dog is easier to absorb than ultra-processed kibble, so your senior gets more from every bowl. The variety of whole food ingredients also supports a more diverse gut microbiome, which matters more as dogs age. You'll notice the difference in their energy, their coat and, yes, their poos (smaller, firmer, less... fragrant).

Gentle on teeth and gumsHard kibble can make mealtimes uncomfortable for older dogs, most of whom develop some degree of dental disease. Our fresh food is naturally soft, so they eat with the enthusiasm they've always had.

Natural hydration for kidney healthFresh food contains around 70-80% moisture compared to around 10% in dry kibble, supporting renal and urinary health with every meal. Hydration built in, nothing extra needed.

Lean muscle, healthy weightHigh-quality animal protein supports lean muscle as activity levels change, while the absence of dense starchy fillers, like that in kibble, makes weight easier to manage and takes pressure off ageing joints.

Joint and cognitive supportNatural Omega-3s and antioxidants from whole food ingredients help to reduce joint inflammation and support cognitive function. And because a healthy gut microbiome plays a role in managing inflammation, a gut-friendly diet supports your dog from the inside out.

Portions made for themWe calculate how much your senior needs based on their weight, age, neuter status and activity level. Keep an eye on how much your dog eats – we can easily tweak portion sizes if your dog is regularly hungry or leaving you with leftovers.

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Expert-made meals (that dogs seriously love).

Behind every recipe is our vet, Alison (MA VetMB MRCVS), and nutritionist, Bianca (BSc hons, PGDip Nutrition & Canine Nutrition, MSFTR, CPN). This pair comes with a lot of extra letters after their names. It’s a mouthful, but it means they know dogs ridiculously well.

Between them, Bianca and Alison make sure every recipe is built for the specific demands of adult dogs, to support their energy and digestion into later life.

Every recipe is:

Formulated for complete, balanced nutrition
Vet-approved with longevity in mind
Cooked gently in small batches to protect nutrients
Made with whole, diverse ingredients
Free from grains and legumes
Free from nasties and fillers
Fussy eater approved

THE PROOF

We ran the numbers while the dogs ran to their bowls.

Approved by over 20,000 slobberchops. We ran the numbers while the dogs ran to their bowls.

12k+

meals wolfed down by dogs across the UK daily

92%

see a visible difference in their dog's health

94%

the highest fresh food AADF rating going

Fresh vs kibble

What’s best?

How food is made matters as much as what's in it. Here's how we compare.

Nutrition

Ingredients

Health

Stools

Gut health

Joint support

Digestibility

Dental comfort

Variety

Different Dog Fresh

Protected with gentle cooking

Real meat, fish and veg

Supports energy, weight and coat

Firmer, smaller, less smelly

Supports a diverse gut microbiome

Quality protein maintains the muscle that supports joints, plus natural Omega-3s

Gentle on aging tummies

Easy to eat

13 recipes across 7 protein sources

Kibble

Damaged by high-heat processing

Fillers and processed powders

Reduced nutrient bioavailability

Loose, smelly and plentiful

Can disrupt gut bacteria

No targeted joint support unless supplemented

Harder on sensitive stomachs

Hard kibble can be uncomfortable

A single flavour

Different Dog Fresh

Kibble

Nutrition

Protected with gentle cooking

Damaged by high-heat processing

Ingredients

Real meat, fish and veg

Fillers and processed powders

Health

Supports energy, weight and coat

Reduced nutrient bioavailability

Stools

Firmer, smaller, less smelly

Loose, smelly and plentiful

Gut health

Supports a diverse gut microbiome

Can disrupt gut bacteria

Joint support

Quality protein maintains the muscle that supports joints, plus natural Omega-3s

No targeted joint support unless supplemented

Digestibility

Gentle on aging tummies

Harder on sensitive stomachs

Dental comfort

Easy to eat

Hard kibble can be uncomfortable

Variety

13 recipes across 7 protein sources

A single flavour

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Made by Bianca for your dog’s golden years.

"People often assume senior dogs are harder to feed. In most cases, it's the food that needs to change. As dogs age, their digestion becomes less efficient and their ability to absorb nutrients drops. That's exactly why they need highly digestible protein to maintain muscle, natural sources of Omega-3s for joint mobility, and food that doesn't put extra strain on their gut”.Bianca Major, BSc hons, PGDip Nutrition & Canine Nutrition, MSFTR, CPN

Get your risk-free starter box.

With our Empty Bowl Guarantee, if your dog doesn't love it, we'll refund your starter box in full.

What you'll get:

A choice of tasty recipes for dogs who deserve better in their bowl

A free bag of treats in your first order

Expert support with our experts - vet, canine nutritionist or behavioursist

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HOW IT WORKS

4 steps to more great years.

You want feeding them well to be easy, right? Let’s get acquainted and we’ll take it from there.

Introduce us

Age, weight, activity level, any sensitivities. Two minutes and we're properly acquainted.

Choose their meals

13 fresh recipes. Ridiculously healthy, ridiculously tasty. Narrowing it down is the hard part.

Set the date

We'll deliver meals frozen to keep the good stuff locked in. Same convenience, better quality.

See the difference

Clean bowl, better poos, more energy. Most dogs show visible improvements within 14 days. If life changes, pause, cancel or tweak your plan anytime.

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FAQ

Your fresh dog food questions, answered.

All the answers, right here. If you want to dig deeper, our team is always up for a chat.

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Real food for your best friend, at every age.

Every Different Dog recipe is gently cooked from whole ingredients, nutritionally complete and formulated to support adult dogs through every walk, adventure and sofa session.

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