Are “Vet Approved” Dog Foods Bad for Senior Dogs?

When you see the phrase “Vet Approved” or “Vet Recommended” on a bag of dog food, you probably assume it means safe, healthy, and backed by veterinary science. After all, why would any veterinarian put their name on something that could harm your dog—especially your senior dog?

Unfortunately, the truth is more complicated, and in many cases, more disturbing.

The answer is: yes—many vet-approved foods are dangerous, even deadly, for senior dogs.

But before we dive into the proof, let’s be clear: this isn’t about attacking veterinarians. Most vets are caring, dedicated professionals who save lives every single day. The problem lies in the education system, the money trail, and the corporations that dominate both the pet food and veterinary industries.

Why So Many Veterinarians Know Little About Nutrition

🐾 In most countries, veterinarians receive only one semester (or less) of nutritional training.

🐾 That training is not independent—it’s often funded and provided by big dog food companies.

🐾 The textbooks, case studies, and even the continuing education courses vets rely on are underwritten by the very corporations that profit from selling “vet approved” foods.

So you can have a brilliant, compassionate veterinarian who can perform lifesaving surgery—yet still recommend feeding your dog a bag of fillers, grains, and rendered meat scraps, simply because that’s what they were taught.

And please, make no mistake, we are HUGE supporters of veterinarians. They literally save our dogs lives every day.

As a dog dad of MULTIPLE beagles over the years, believe me, vets around the world have literally saved these little demons after eating rocks, fruit pits, hair, plastic, and God know what else...

However, the best vets I've encountered have freely admitted that they simply don't have a good nutritional education...

...they're extremely busy and don't have time to study these things on their own... (they deserve a life outside the office, too)

We have been lucky that our vets have all agreed that homemade dog food is the best choice for adult and senior dogs.

The Corporate Web Behind “Vet Approved”

It gets worse.

💰 Just two companies, Mars and Nestlé, own more than 70% of the world’s dog food brands.

🏥 These same corporations also own and operate veterinary clinics, animal hospitals, and research centers worldwide.

🔄 That means the pet food that funds their profits is also being recommended inside the vet offices they own.

It’s a closed loop designed to keep you paying premium prices for products that are cheap to produce, heavily marketed, and often damaging to your dog’s long-term health.

And the phrase “vet recommended” is the marketing cherry on top—a label designed to make you feel safe while you’re paying extra for corn, soy, and rendered meat byproducts.

The message is clear: dogs shouldn't eat people food (real food), instead, they should eat these pressed discs of melted leftover ingredients and sugar.

What “Vet Recommended” Really Means

When you read the fine print, “vet recommended” usually just means:

⚠️ A group of veterinarians said the food is “a good choice” to include in a dog’s diet.
⚠️ There is no guarantee of superior ingredients.
⚠️ There is no proof the food prevents disease or extends lifespan.
⚠️ It’s a marketing term, not a scientific one.

Yet foods labeled “vet approved” dominate recommendation lists and often come with hefty price tags.

Let’s Look at the “Top Vet Approved” Foods

A popular pet content site recently published its Top 10 Vet Approved Dog Foods list. Number one? Purina Pro Plan. Others included Acana, Royal Canin and Hill’s Science Diet.

These brands are consistently rated among the lowest quality dog foods by independent reviewers—yet they dominate veterinary shelves.

So what’s actually inside these bags? Let’s walk into a pet food store and see.

Inside “Vet Approved” Foods: The Ugly Truth

Here’s what you’ll find when you read the labels on popular “prescription” or “senior” formulas from brands like Royal Canin, Purina, and Hill’s:

🌽 Corn / Maize – cheap filler that can make up more than 50% of the formula.

🥩 Meat meal / Animal derivatives – rendered remains of dead, diseased, dying, or disabled animals (known as 4D meats). This can include:

🪶 Feathers

🐔 Beaks

🐄 Hydes

🛒 Spoiled supermarket meat

🥬 Vegetable protein isolates & soy – cheap protein substitutes that are harder for dogs to digest.
🌾 Grains & cereals – wheat, rice, or corn flour, often making up the bulk of the recipe.
🍬 Sugars & starches – contributing to obesity, diabetes, and inflammation.

These ingredients show up again and again—even in “specialized” formulas meant for:

🩺 Dogs with kidney disease
💔 Dogs with liver problems
⚖️ Dogs needing weight management
👵 Senior dogs with reduced energy

In other words, even when your vet prescribes a diet for a serious health condition, you may be paying top dollar for the same fillers found in bargain-bin food.

A Shocking Comparison: Premium vs. Bargain Bags

At the store, you can find a 20kg bag of low-cost “Special Dog” food for €8–10. The ingredients?

*Grains, meat derivatives, oils, and fillers.

Now compare that to a Royal Canin or Purina prescription diet bag—three to five times more expensive. The ingredients? Nearly identical.

So what are you really paying for? Branding and the “vet approved” label.

Why This is Especially Dangerous for Senior Dogs

Senior dogs are more vulnerable than younger ones. They often face:

🐶 Weaker immune systems
🐢 Slower metabolisms
⚠️ Chronic conditions (kidney disease, heart disease, arthritis, cancer risk)

Feeding them diets that are:

❌ High in carbs and sugars (leading to obesity and inflammation)
❌ Low in quality protein (slowing muscle maintenance)
❌ Full of rendered byproducts (adding toxic load to already stressed organs)

…is a recipe for shorter lifespans and more suffering.

Your senior dog deserves real nutrition, not marketing gimmicks.

So What’s the Alternative?

The good news: you don’t have to play roulette with overpriced, low-quality foods.

Cooking at home is not only possible—it’s often cheaper and healthier than relying on “vet approved” kibbles.

Benefits of Homemade Dog Food:

🥩 Control over ingredients – you know exactly what goes in.
🍳 High-quality proteins – chicken, turkey, beef, fish, eggs.
🥦 Lower carbs, better fats – aligned with a dog’s natural diet.
🛠️ Customizable – adjust for weight, age, and health conditions.
💰 Cost-effective – often less expensive than “prescription diets.”

Getting Started with Homemade Dog Food

You don’t need to be a chef. A few simple recipes can transform your dog’s health:

🥓 Low-Carb or Keto Dog Food Meals – reduce inflammation, support healthy weight, and may benefit dogs with cancer.

🍲 Homemade Bone Broth – rich in collagen, amino acids, and gut-healing compounds.

🌟 Golden Paste (Turmeric + Black Pepper + Oil) – a natural anti-inflammatory for joints and immune support.

🥬 Balanced Veggies & Healthy Fats – broccoli, spinach, pumpkin, coconut oil, olive oil.

Start small, learn a few recipes, and gradually transition your dog from processed kibble to real, whole food.

Final Thoughts

The phrase “Vet Approved” is one of the most misleading labels in the pet food industry. It doesn’t guarantee quality. It doesn’t mean your dog is getting the nutrients they need—especially in their senior years.

Instead, it often means:

🚫 You’re paying premium prices for cheap fillers and byproducts.
🚫 Your vet may unknowingly be recommending a food because that’s what they were taught.
🚫 Big corporations are profiting from both sides of the equation—your dog’s health and your wallet.

But you don’t have to accept this. By educating yourself and taking control of your dog’s diet, you can:

💰 Save money
✅ Avoid dangerous fillers
💖 Help your senior dog live longer, healthier, and happier

👉 Next Steps:

📥 Download our free guide to safe, simple homemade meals for dogs.
🍲 Explore our recipes for senior dogs: bone broth, low-carb meals, and natural supplements.

Your dog depends on you—not on labels, marketing, or corporations. The choice is in your hands.