Senior food for a 7-year-old Pointer

Senior dogs genuinely do have different nutritional needs — typically fewer calories, easier-to-digest protein, and more support for joints and organ function — but the right time to switch and what to switch to depends a lot on the breed and the individual dog. For a lean, active breed like a Pointer, 'senior' doesn't always mean the same thing it does for a Labrador. What's your dog's current weight looking like — are they holding steady, or have you started to notice them filling out? And what are they on at the moment?

That makes good sense — a kilo or two of creep at 7 is really common, and you're right that it's easier to manage now than later. Barking Heads Gold is a solid food, but it is quite calorie-dense, and for a Pointer who's easing off the gas a little, that can tip the balance. Before I suggest anything, is he on any joint supplements, and does he show any stiffness after rest or on cold mornings? Pointers are prone to hip issues and it's worth knowing if that's already on your radar.

Good instinct — proactive is always better with joints. In that case, I'd point you toward Hills Science Plan Canine Mature Adult 7+ Large Breed with Chicken. It's well-calibrated for a dog at exactly your stage: moderately reduced calories to help manage weight, high-quality digestible protein to maintain lean muscle, and added glucosamine and chondroitin built in so you don't need a separate joint supplement yet. It's also L-carnitine supplemented which helps the body burn fat rather than just restricting food — useful for an active breed where you don't want to sacrifice muscle. Hills uses clinical feeding trials rather than just formulation targets, which matters for a food you're going to rely on long-term. Transition over about 10 days, mixing it in gradually — Pointers can have sensitive stomachs and a slow swap avoids any digestive upset.

Start at the lower end of the Hills feeding guide for his weight — around 27kg puts him in a band where the guide gives a range, and because you're already a touch over his ideal, starting at the lower number makes sense. Weigh it rather than scoop it for the first few weeks. Give it six to eight weeks, then assess — if he's stable or dropping slowly you're in the right place. You're not trying to crash his weight, just stop the slow climb. If after two months he's still not moving in the right direction, come back and we can look at portions or whether a lighter formula is needed.