Senior dog foods compared on what they cost per day for a 20 kg dog, with what each maker actually says the recipe is for.
Dry, complete; 160 g a day (Burns: 8 g per kg).
Dry, complete; a published 20 kg feeding amount of 255 g.
Cost per day uses each maker's feeding guide for a 20 kg dog where one is published. James Wellbeloved and Purina publish no 20 kg row, so their cost is a range between the rows either side of 20 kg. Royal Canin Maxi Ageing is shown at 26 kg, the smallest dog it is made for.
Showing 6 of 6.
| Best for | Price and pack | Daily amount | How we worked out the cost | Main protein | Ad | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burns Senior Chicken & Brown RiceDry, complete | The lowest cost from a published 20 kg amount | £56.09 for 12 kg (zooplus) | 160 g (Burns: 8 g per kg) | £56.09 ÷ 12,000 g × 160 g | Chicken; brown rice; adds salmon oil | £0.75checked 21 Oct 2026 | ViewAd |
| Hill's Science Plan Mature Adult 7+ Medium ChickenDry, complete | A published 20 kg feeding amount | £51.99 for 14 kg (zooplus) | 255 g | £51.99 ÷ 14,000 g × 255 g | Chicken | £0.95checked 21 Oct 2026 | ViewAd |
| Purina Pro Plan Medium & Large Adult 7+ Age DefenceDry, complete (formerly OptiAge) | Purina's brain-function claim (MCTs and EPA) | £48.29 for 14 kg (zooplus) | No 20 kg row: 145–170 g at 10 kg, 270–310 g at 25 kg | £48.29 ÷ 14,000 g × 145–310 g (10 kg and 25 kg rows) | Chicken | £0.50–£1.07checked 21 Oct 2026 | ViewAd |
| James Wellbeloved Senior Hypoallergenic Turkey & RiceDry, complete | One meat protein (turkey) | £52.49 for 15 kg (zooplus) | No 20 kg row: 205–230 g at 15 kg, 305–335 g at 25 kg | £52.49 ÷ 15,000 g × 205–335 g | Turkey (also contains fish oil); rice | £0.72–£1.17checked 21 Oct 2026 | ViewAd |
| Royal Canin Maxi Ageing 8+Dry, complete; for dogs of 26–44 kg | Larger senior dogs (not suitable for 20 kg) | £66.99 for 15 kg (zooplus) | 321 g for a 26 kg dog (no 20 kg row) | £66.99 ÷ 15,000 g × 321 g | Poultry; contains EPA/DHA and chondroitin sources | £1.43 (26 kg dog)checked 21 Oct 2026 | ViewAd |
| Lily's Kitchen Senior Recipe for Older DogsWet, 400 g tin (replaces 'Twilight Years') | Owners who want to feed wet food | £3.80 per 400 g tin (Lily's Kitchen) | Not checked for 20 kg (90 kcal per 100 g) | — | Turkey 60% | Not calculablechecked 21 Oct 2026 | ViewAd |
£56.09 ÷ 12,000 g × 160 g
£51.99 ÷ 14,000 g × 255 g
£48.29 ÷ 14,000 g × 145–310 g (10 kg and 25 kg rows)
£52.49 ÷ 15,000 g × 205–335 g
£66.99 ÷ 15,000 g × 321 g
Prices and feeding amounts from the zooplus UK and Lily's Kitchen pages linked, checked on 21 October 2026.
What we did
What we did not do
Sources checked
Prices and terms change. Confirm on the retailer's page before you buy.
Dry, complete
Why it made the list
The lowest cost from a published 20 kg amount
£56.09 ÷ 12,000 g × 160 g
Dry, complete
Why it made the list
A published 20 kg feeding amount
Watch out for
zooplus showed a 15% voucher when checked (£44.19, or £0.80 a day); the table uses the full price.
£51.99 ÷ 14,000 g × 255 g
Dry, complete (formerly OptiAge)
Why it made the list
Purina's brain-function claim (MCTs and EPA)
Watch out for
Purina says MCTs plus EPA support normal brain function in older dogs, and adds glucosamine.
£48.29 ÷ 14,000 g × 145–310 g (10 kg and 25 kg rows)
Dry, complete
Why it made the list
One meat protein (turkey)
£52.49 ÷ 15,000 g × 205–335 g
Dry, complete; for dogs of 26–44 kg
Why it made the list
Larger senior dogs (not suitable for 20 kg)
£66.99 ÷ 15,000 g × 321 g
Wet, 400 g tin (replaces 'Twilight Years')
Why it made the list
Owners who want to feed wet food
Watch out for
The tin contains no glucosamine; Lily's Kitchen's senior dry food does.
Senior dog food is a complete food that the maker has set for older dogs, usually from about 7 or 8 years. In the foods we compared, the differences are mainly fewer calories per bowl and added ingredients the makers link to ageing: Burns gives 8 g per kg a day for its Senior recipe against 14 g per kg for standard adults on its Original recipe, and Purina adds glucosamine (400 mg per kg) and medium-chain triglycerides to Pro Plan Age Defence. Check that a senior food still says “complete” on the pack.
Not for every older dog. Burns Original is labelled Adult & Senior, and a fit 9-year-old may do well on its usual food. Senior recipes help most when an older dog is slowing down and gaining weight, because the lower-calorie bowl keeps portions looking normal. Weigh your dog every few weeks, and use the portion calculator with the “inactive” setting as a check. If an older dog is losing weight, drinking more or eating less, contact your vet rather than changing food. Our dog food for weight loss comparison covers lighter recipes.
Wet food is softer and holds more water, which some older dogs with fewer teeth find easier. It costs far more to feed on its own. Lily's Kitchen's Senior Recipe tin has 90 kcal per 100 g; at the AAHA estimate for a 20 kg neutered adult (927–1059 kcal), that is about 1030–1175 g a day, or £9.78–£11.16 a day at £3.80 a tin. That is our estimate, not Lily's Kitchen's feeding guide. Mixing a little wet food into dry keeps most of the softness for much less; our Lily's Kitchen review has the brand's costs. If chewing is a problem, see our dog dental cleaning cost guide and ask your vet.
Purina says the medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) and EPA in this recipe support normal brain function in older dogs, and it adds glucosamine. These are the maker's claims.
For large breeds over eight; contains EPA/DHA (from fish and algae oil) and chondroitin sources.
The tin is 60% turkey with salmon oil and green-lipped mussel; it does not contain glucosamine, which is in Lily's Kitchen's senior dry food instead.
Weigh your dog regularly; many older dogs need fewer calories.
For joints, read do joint supplements work for dogs? and compare products in our joint supplements comparison. Older dogs also cost more to insure: see insurance for older dogs, and the pet cost calculator for the whole monthly budget.
There is no single age. Makers label senior foods from about 7 or 8 years, and larger breeds tend to age sooner. Ask your vet, especially if your dog is gaining or losing weight.
For a 20 kg dog, Burns Senior worked out at £0.75 a day (about £23 a month) and Hill's Science Plan Mature Adult 7+ at £0.95, from prices checked on 21 October 2026. James Wellbeloved Senior and Purina Pro Plan Age Defence publish no 20 kg row, so their costs are ranges between the rows either side: £0.72–£1.17 and £0.50–£1.07.
Not always. Many 'adult' foods are also sold for seniors: Burns' Original is labelled Adult & Senior and gives a lower 8 g per kg starting point for older or less active dogs. What matters most is a complete food, the right number of calories for your dog's activity, and regular weigh-ins. Ask your vet if your dog has a health condition.
Some include ingredients such as glucosamine or chondroitin sources, but foods are not medicines. For a stiff or limping dog, see your vet; our joint supplements guide compares supplements on price and dose.
Many older dogs need fewer calories as they become less active, but needs vary. Weigh your dog regularly and adjust portions; our portion calculator includes an 'inactive' setting.
Tell us and we will check it. Corrections are dated on the page and listed in our corrections log.