Best Dog Food for Dogs with Arthritis

Our top 5 picks — ranked by ingredient quality, nutritional balance, and verified recall history.

📊 5 products 🔍 Independently ranked 📅 Last reviewed May 2026
#1
Nulo Freestyle Senior Trout & Sweet Potato
Best Food For Senior Dogs With Arthritis

Nulo Freestyle Senior Trout & Sweet Potato

5.0 / 5.0

The Senior Trout and Sweet Potato recipe is one of 13 recipes included in our review of the Nulo Freestyle product line. This particular recipe of its gets most of its protein from deboned trout . Dry matter label analysis reveals it contains 33.3% protein, 13.3% fat and 45.3% estimated carbs, resulting in a fat-to-protein ratio of around 40%.

Main Ingredients
Deboned Trout, Turkey Meal, Salmon Meal, Yellow Peas & Sweet Potato
Type
Grain-free
Protein Percentage
33.3%
#2
Orijen Senior
Best Dry Food For Dogs With Arthritis

Orijen Senior

5.0 / 5.0

Orijen Senior formula contains approximately 85% quality poultry and fish ingredients, providing a strong source of essential protein, vitamins and minerals for older dogs. It is one of nine recipes included in our review of the Orijen product line and dry matter label analysis reveals it contains 43.2% protein, 17% fat and 31.8% estimated carbs, providing a fat-to-protein ratio of about 39%.

Main Ingredients
Chicken, Turkey, Salmon, Whole Herring, Chicken Liver & Dehydrated Chicken
Type
Grain-free
Protein Percentage
43.2%
#3
The Farmer's Dog Turkey
Best Wet Food For Dogs With Arthritis

The Farmer's Dog Turkey

4.5 / 5.0

The Farmer’s Dog Turkey is one of four recipes included in our review of this fresh product line. It gets the bulk of  it protein from turkey, which is less likely to cause inflammation compared to some red meats, which can exacerbate arthritis symptoms. Our dry matter label analysis reveals it contains 33% protein, 19% fat and 40% estimated carbs, providing a fat-to-protein ratio of about 56%.

Main Ingredients
Turkey, chickpeas, carrots, broccoli, spinach
Type
Grain-free
Protein Percentage
33%
#4
Wellness Core Grain Free Large Breed Formula
Best Dog Food For Large Breeds With Arthritis

Wellness Core Grain Free Large Breed Formula

5.0 / 5.0

Wellness Core Grain Free Large Breed Formula is a nutrient-dense kibble formulated to support healthy joints and mobility in a dog’s later years. It includes a blend of turkey meal and chicken meal , providing glucosamine and chondroitin, plus joint-benefitting omega fatty acids, which all help dogs suffering from stiff, painful joints.

Main Ingredients
Deboned chicken, chicken meal (source of glucosamine), turkey meal (source of chondroitin sulfate), lentils, peas, dried ground potatoes, tomato pomace, ground flaxseed
Type
Grain-free
Protein Percentage
37.8%
#5
Now Fresh Grain-Free Small Breed Adult
Best Food For Small Breed Dogs With Arthritis

Now Fresh Grain-Free Small Breed Adult

5.0 / 5.0

Now Fresh Grain-Free Small Breed Adult food is a smaller kibble suitable for small mouths and we like the fact it includes flaxseed, a source of omega-3 oil, for joint health. This recipe is one of 11 products included in our review of the Now Fresh dog food range. It derives the majority of its protein from turkey and egg . Dry matter label analysis reveals the recipe contains 30% protein, 18.9% fat and 43.1% estimated carbs… with a fat-to-protein ratio of around 63%.

Main Ingredients
De-boned turkey, whole dried egg, peas, potatoes, potato flour, pea flour, natural flavour, flaxseed
Type
Grain-free
Protein Percentage
30%

How we ranked these: Every food on this page is scored using our transparent methodology — 40% ingredient quality, 30% independent third-party rating, 20% recall history, 10% manufacturing transparency. No partner gets favorable placement; commissions don't influence the rankings.

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