As dogs move into their senior years, the question is not whether their needs change, but how. Ageing affects multiple systems at once. Digestion can become less efficient, muscle mass becomes harder to maintain, joints need some TLC and cognitive function can begin to shift.
Naturaw Senior has been built with these changes in mind; by selecting ingredients that continue to supply what the body needs, in forms it can use.
Supporting muscle and protein needs in the senior dog
Naturaw Senior contains grass fed British beef (meat, heart, liver), free range chicken with bone, and egg, for a very good reason.
One of the most consistent changes we see with ageing is a gradual loss of lean muscle mass. This process is referred to as sarcopenia. Muscle tissue plays a role in metabolic regulation, joint stability, and overall resilience. Maintaining this tissue relies on adequate protein, yet with age, dogs often become less efficient at utilising what they consume. This places greater emphasis on the quality and bioavailability of protein in the diet. Whole animal ingredients provide protein in a form that is more readily digested and used by the body, making them well suited to supporting muscle maintenance in the senior dog.
Egg further complements this profile. It is one of the most digestible protein sources available, with an amino acid composition that closely matches the body’s needs. This means more of what is eaten can be used.
These ingredients provide protein in a form that is biologically appropriate.
In the senior dog, protein supports multiple systems beyond muscle.
Protein also supports tissue maintenance and repair. Skin, connective tissue, and the lining of the gastrointestinal tract are all in a constant state of renewal. In older dogs, where healing can be slower, an adequate supply of amino acids (found in protein) supports this ongoing repair.
It also supports the immune system. Many parts of the immune response are made from protein, including antibodies. As dogs age and immune function changes, an adequate protein intake helps support this defence system.
Protein also supports many of the body’s everyday processes. It is used to make enzymes that help digest food and carry out key metabolic functions, as well as hormones that regulate appetite, stress, and internal signalling.
It also plays a role in organ function. The liver, for example, relies on amino acids found in protein to carry out its normal processes, and proteins in the blood help transport nutrients and maintain fluid balance.
In the brain, amino acids are used to produce chemical messengers known as neurotransmitters, involved in mood, behaviour, and problem solving skills.
You see, protein in the senior dog is not just about maintaining muscle. It supports multiple systems across the body.
The key point is that protein is not something to reduce with age unless clinically indicated. In most healthy senior dogs, maintaining a sufficient intake of high-quality protein is one of the most important nutritional considerations.
Supporting the brain and nervous system
Cognitive changes can occur as dogs age, but where we once thought only puppies could build new connections in the brain, we have since learned that the brain adapts throughout the lifespan. You can (and should) teach old dogs new tricks.
The Naturaw Senior Recipe includes several ingredients that can support brain health as our dogs age:
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Whole oily fish provides omega-3 fats that support brain and nerve function
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Hemp seeds contribute additional omega fatty acids, alongside minerals such as zinc and magnesium.
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Beef, liver, and egg supply vitamin B12, which supports the nervous system and energy production
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Lion’s Mane mushroom is included for its role in supporting nerve health
Supporting joints and mobility
Ageing joints are not just a matter of “wear and tear”. They involve changes in cartilage, inflammation, and the balance between breakdown and repair.
Naturaw Senior includes:
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Grass fed lamb trachea, a natural source of cartilage-derived compounds
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Scandinavian blue mussel, which provides omega-3 fatty acids alongside structural components used in joint tissue
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Oily fish, contributing further anti-inflammatory fatty acids
These ingredients provide the raw materials involved in maintaining joint structure, alongside nutrients that help regulate inflammatory processes.
Supporting cell health and resilience
As dogs age, there is a gradual build-up of by-products from normal processes in the body. These are often described as the “exhaust fumes” of work, but more technically known as reactive oxygen species or ROS. Over time, they can accumulate as the body becomes less efficient at clearing them. Antioxidant defence systems help manage this, but more is not always better. High levels of added or synthetic antioxidants can interfere with the body’s natural balance. What we’re aiming for is a steady, natural supply.
Whole foods provide antioxidants alongside other nutrients, allowing them to work together in a way the body recognises and can use.
You’ll find ingredients such as kale, broccoli, blackberries, wheatgrass, nettles, cleavers and pumpkin seeds in the Naturaw Senior Recipe. These provide a range of natural compounds that support the body’s own defence systems.
Supporting essential mineral balance
Minerals are involved in many of the body’s basic functions. They help control how nerves send signals, how muscles contract and relax, and how fluids move in and out of cells.
Some minerals, such as sodium and potassium, act as electrolytes and are essential for day-to-day function.
Others, known as trace minerals, help regulate how the body uses energy.
In this recipe:
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Pure Yorkshire sea salt provides sodium and chloride, supporting hydration and nerve signalling
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Seaweed provides trace minerals, including iodine, which supports normal metabolic function
You’ll be forgiven for thinking that lifestage nutrition is a bit of a gimmick, but there’s no denying that the demands placed upon the body are different across different life stages. In Naturaw Senior, each ingredient has been selected to provide what the body requires, from maintaining muscle and supporting joints, to supplying the nutrients involved in brain function and everyday processes.
Lisa Hannaby-Aird
A Registered Associate Nutritionist who specialises in translating nutrition science into practical, everyday guidance for dog owners, drawing on her training in nutrition alongside a background in psychology, biochemistry, and neuroscience.
