Last Updated on September 1, 2026 by Fumipets
Watching a beloved dog grow older can be bittersweet. The puppy who once raced through the house may take a little longer to get off the couch, tire more quickly on walks, or need extra support for their joints, digestion, teeth, and overall health. While aging is inevitable, there are plenty of ways pet parents can help senior dogs stay comfortable, active, and happy throughout their golden years.
Exactly when a dog becomes a “senior” isn’t as simple as reaching a certain birthday. A dog’s size, breed, genetics, and overall health can all influence how quickly they age. In general, larger dogs tend to enter their senior years earlier than smaller dogs, which may remain active and youthful well into their later years. Rather than focusing solely on age, it is helpful to pay attention to changes in your dog’s mobility, energy, appetite, weight, behavior, and everyday routines.
Senior dogs may also have different nutritional and wellness needs than they did when they were younger. Thoughtful additions to their routine can help support areas that commonly become more important with age, including joint mobility, digestive health, dental care, immune function, and overall comfort.
Regular veterinary checkups should always be the foundation of senior dog care, especially when you notice new or sudden changes. But alongside your veterinarian’s recommendations, a few simple additions to your dog’s daily routine can provide valuable support. Here are five things to consider giving your senior dog to help make their golden years as happy, healthy, and comfortable as possible.
#1 – Omega-3 supplements
Omega-3 is referred to as an essential fatty acid. It’s absolutely critical to the health of your dog, and his body can’t produce it, so he’s forced to get it from his diet. According to Mercola Healthy Pets:
“Omega-3s play a role in your pet’s overall health in many ways, among them:
- Alleviating the harmful effects of allergies and other conditions that result from an over-reactive immune system response
- Slowing the growth of common yeast infections
- Aiding proper development of the retina and visual cortex
- Regulating blood-clotting activity
- Slowing the development and spread of certain pet cancers
Along with these benefits, multiple clinical studies show that omega-3s are helpful for five clinical conditions in particular: cardiovascular disorders, cognitive function and neurological health, inflammatory skin disease, kidney disease, and osteoarthritis.”
Most commercial dog foods don’t contain enough omega-3. Omega-3 can go rancid pretty quickly, so even if it survives the high-heat cooking process required to make the food, it may go bad before ever reaching your dog. Omega-3 supplements have been shown to make a world of difference in the health of senior dogs.
Honey Guard™ – Allergy & Itch Omega 3-6-9 Powder was formulated by veterinarians to provide an unparalleled boost to your dog’s health in the most natural, sustainable way possible in a supplement. This easy-to-serve powder is a daily supplement designed to support dogs with seasonal allergies, itching, and skin sensitivities from the inside out. The formula combines omega-3, -6, and -9 fatty acids with Manuka honey, quercetin, colostrum, krill oil, reishi mushroom, and probiotics to help support a healthy immune response while promoting healthy skin and coat. The convenient powder can be sprinkled directly over your dog’s food, making it easy to add targeted skin, coat, and allergy support to their daily routine. Each purchase also helps provide healthy meals for shelter dogs in need.
#2 – Glucosamine/Chondroitin supplements for joint pain
As dogs age, they are prone to achy joints as a result of arthritis or hip dysplasia. Glucosamine and chondroitin can protect cartilage, which may ease the pain of arthritis or hip dysplasia. One study showed that supplements with glucosamine and chondroitin offered a “moderate level of comfort” on par with some prescription drugs for dogs suffering from arthritis.
Happy, Healthy™ Advanced 8-in-1 Hip & Joint Chews for Mobility are soft chews formulated to support joint health, mobility, and flexibility in dogs. The formula combines glucosamine and chondroitin with MSM, organic hemp powder, turmeric, green-lipped mussel, Boswellia serrata, yucca schidigera, black pepper extract, and other supportive ingredients to target joint health from multiple angles. The bacon-flavored chews are easy to give as a daily treat and are made in the USA. Plus, every bag purchased helps provide healthy meals for shelter dogs in need.
#3 – Dental sticks
80% of dogs show signs of periodontal disease by the age of 4. Once your dog has become a senior citizen, dental health becomes a much bigger concern. Failing to care for your dog’s teeth has further-reaching consequences than just tooth loss – bacteria that proliferate under your dog’s gum line can actually invade your dog’s bloodstream and affect his internal organs. Dogs can be a lot more sensitive about their mouths as they age, and they may start to refuse toothbrushing. You still need to care for your dog’s oral health, though. What can you do?
Happy, Healthy™ Brushy Sticks Dental Dog Treats offer an easy way to combine a tasty daily treat with dental support. The uniquely shaped sticks encourage chewing and provide an abrasive cleaning action that helps scrub teeth as your dog chews, helping reduce plaque and tartar buildup while supporting healthier teeth and gums.
Brushy Sticks are formulated with ingredients that provide additional oral health support while helping freshen your dog’s breath. Their chewable texture makes them an especially convenient addition to an at-home dental routine for dogs who aren’t enthusiastic about regular toothbrushing. As with any dental chew, choose the appropriate size for your dog, supervise them while chewing, and continue regular veterinary dental checkups. Plus, every purchase helps provide healthy meals for shelter dogs in need.
#4 – Bone Broth
Bone broth can be a flavorful way to add extra nutrients and hydration to your senior dog’s diet. Depending on the formula, it may provide naturally occurring amino acids and other nutrients while making meals more appealing to older dogs whose appetites aren’t quite what they used to be.
Bone Broth for Dogs Immune Support Powder + Mushroom Gold makes it easy to give your senior dog the benefits of bone broth without spending hours simmering bones at home. This convenient powder combines nourishing bone broth with organic shiitake, turkey tail, and reishi mushrooms for added immune support. Simply sprinkle the powder over your dog’s food or mix it with water to create a savory broth that can add moisture and flavor to mealtime. It’s an especially convenient option for senior dogs who could benefit from extra nutritional and immune support as part of their daily routine. Plus, every purchase helps provide healthy meals for shelter dogs in need.
#5 – Probiotics and Digestive Enzymes
Did you know that your dog’s pancreas isn’t designed to create all of the digestive enzymes he needs to digest his food? Wolves supplement their digestive enzymes by eating the entrails of their prey. Since we don’t feed our dogs entrails, most dogs are enzyme-deficient. As your dog ages, his pancreas can become overworked and start producing even fewer digestive enzymes. Has the texture and consistency of your dog’s poop changed recently? He could probably benefit from a probiotic and digestive enzyme supplement.
Pupkin™ Probiotics + Prebiotics + Postbiotics for Dogs provides comprehensive digestive support in an easy-to-serve soft chew. The formula combines probiotics, prebiotics, and postbiotics to help maintain a healthy balance of beneficial gut bacteria and support normal digestion. It also includes pumpkin for fiber, gut-soothing bone broth, and functional mushrooms for additional digestive and immune support. These tasty daily chews make it simple to give senior dogs extra support for their gut health while also promoting overall wellness. Plus, every purchase helps provide healthy meals for shelter dogs in need.
Simple Ways to Help Your Senior Dog Thrive
Giving your senior dog the care they need does not have to be complicated. Small changes like providing the right supplements, regular exercise, comfortable bedding, and plenty of affection can make a meaningful difference in their daily life. With thoughtful attention and consistent care, you can help your loyal companion stay happier, healthier, and by your side for years to come.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified healthcare professional.
(H/T: Pet Place, AKC, Dogs Naturally, Mercola Healthy Pets, AKC, Rover)
