Switching Senior Lagotto to UK Dog Food

Senior dogs genuinely do need something different — typically fewer calories, easier-to-digest protein, and extra joint support like glucosamine — but the right time to switch and what to move to depends a lot on your dog's breed, age, and what they're currently eating. An 8-year-old is solidly in senior territory for most breeds, though active working breeds sometimes hold off a little longer. What breed are you working with, how's their general health, and what's the Italian food they're currently on?

Good timing to make the switch. Lagottos are medium-sized working dogs and they do start to show age-related changes around 8 — reduced activity, slightly dull coat, and early joint stiffness are all typical. The Trainer Natural is a decent food, so she's not coming from a poor baseline, which makes the transition easier. A few quick questions before I point you in a direction: is she maintaining a healthy weight, or has she been creeping up since slowing down on walks? And does she have any digestive sensitivity — loose stools, that kind of thing?

That's really helpful. Given she's slightly over ideal weight, not fussy, and has a good digestive history, I'd steer you toward Forthglade Complete Grain Free Senior — the chicken or turkey varieties. It's made in Devon, widely available on Amazon UK, and the senior formula is genuinely well-balanced: lower calorie density than most adult foods, good quality single-source protein, added glucosamine and chondroitin for joints, and omega-3s that should sort that dull coat out within a few weeks. Because she's been on a high-quality Italian kibble, the ingredient quality is comparable enough that you're unlikely to get a stomach upset — but I'd still do a 10-day gradual swap, starting at about 25% new food and building up, just to be safe. One thing to watch: the senior feeding guide portions can be generous for a dog that's already slightly heavy, so feed toward the lower end of the range and adjust based on her waistline over the first month.

Honest answer: grain free isn't automatically better, and there's been some scrutiny around it and cardiac health in certain breeds — though that research is still inconclusive and was mostly linked to exotic protein sources rather than chicken or turkey. For a Lagotto with no digestive issues and no grain sensitivity, a good quality food with wholesome grains like oats or brown rice would be perfectly fine too. The reason I still lean toward Forthglade Senior here is the overall ingredient quality and the joint support inclusion, not the grain free aspect specifically. If you'd prefer something with grains and an equally clean ingredient list, Burns Senior Chicken & Brown Rice is a solid alternative and has a long track record with medium breeds. Either will serve her well.

Yes — the 6kg bag is the most practical size for a single medium dog. It keeps well once opened as long as you store it in an airtight container, and it gives you enough to do the gradual transition without running out halfway through. At typical senior feeding rates for a Lagotto, a 6kg bag should last you around 5–6 weeks, so you're not buying huge quantities at once while you confirm she's getting on well with it.