Which Senior Dog Food?

[funkylad20]

Hi all I wondered if anyone has any advice. We have an 11 year old Jack Russell x Pug who is still very active, but slowing down. She has a problem controlling her bladder and does sometimes have an accident in the night, plus she is putting weight on slightly. We have been told by the vet Royal Canin or Hills Science Plan. Does anyone know which one would be better? Price isn’t an issue, we just want to find the best food for her and the internet is awash with information it’s confusing / bias! Thanks.

[woofgang]

Is the vet suggesting you buy it there? I ask because they are the two kinds often retailed by vets and are money spinners....not particularly good in terms of ingredients. Why are you wanting to change the food she is on? So far as I am aware, neither of those foods are indicated to help with incontinence and you'd need to know what causes it first. Why is she slowing down? It could be for many reasons and again you need to sort out the why before putting it down to diet and making changes.

[funkylad20]

Thanks for the reply. No, the vet isn’t recommending we buy from them. These were just the recommended brands and obviously the better quality ones. She’s currently on James Wellbeloved Lamb and Rice small breed, been thinking for some time that we need a senior food anyway as she has got older. With the incontinence it is just an age thing, she just seems to forget to get outside or can’t wait and accidentally goes when overexcited or as I say through the night. Nothing sinister (full MOT at the vets last week!); suggestion was a senior food to help with her brain function (i.e. brain working a bit more effectively to control the bladder a little better). Senior food obviously helps in older age, with joints, lower calories, different minerals etc., so the switch is for that purpose. She is in no way fussy and will eat anything, would just like a quality food ideally not fish based (smells!) or from what I have read, less cereal etc.

[Tilly2]

Tilly has Arden Grange Senior, Chicken and Rice. So likes it and it suits her.

I get mine from Amazon.

[funkylad20]

Thanks; ideally looking for one of the two I mentioned rather than looking at the entire market; it also has to be small breed specific in terms of the size of the kibble.

[Tilly2]

O.K.

[woofgang]

I am not convinced by the "better quality" tag. Personally I am not convinced by the need for a senior food. If she needs dietary cognitive help, then a supplement or prescribed medication might be a better idea.
Anyway look here for some objective dog food ratings. https://www.dogfoodadvisor.com/dog-food-reviews/royal-canin-mini-dry/