Feeding your aging cat or dog; the importance of quality adapted food.

Yesterday, you adopted your puppy or kitten. Today, your little senior is looking at you with visible signs of aging. Time flies. Their life expectancy ranges from 9 to 18 years depending on their size and it is inversely proportional. A Great Dane will live about 9 years, while a Chihuahua or a cat can reach 15 years or more. However, these figures are theoretical, and each animal ages differently.

The body changes with age. Metabolism, joints, muscle mass, the olfactory system, cognitive function, organs, digestive function, and more, can all suffer damage during the aging process. These changes affect our pets' nutritional needs.

The nutrients in your pet's food are transformed into energy, among other things, in order to support all of your pet's bodily functions. This "energy source" is located primarily in their muscles. If your pet loses muscle mass as they age, they will have fewer energy sources, and therefore less energy. They will move less and may develop problems due to a sedentary lifestyle: weight gain, arthritis, diabetes, impairment of vital functions, etc. Everything in the body is connected. It is essential to maintain a good level of activity in our older pets and to provide a suitable, high-quality diet.

In general, cats and dogs' activity levels will decrease in intensity and duration. They may not jump as much during playtime, and walks will be limited to walking around the house rather than exploring the entire neighborhood. Kitty may lie on the floor instead of jumping in her cat tree. The dog park will become a place of memories, to be observed from afar. Inevitably, the energy needs provided by their food will need to be reduced without compromising the intake of essential nutrients in order to avoid weight gain and worsening the sedentary lifestyle that will gradually set in. A good protein intake adapted to an aging pet will be essential to maintaining muscle mass, which is so important for their metabolism. Their protein levels will need to be adjusted according to any accompanying illnesses such as kidney failure. Physical exercise is also a valuable asset for maintaining muscle mass and overall good physical and mental health.

Brain function can decline with age and lead to senility. In addition to an active lifestyle, a high-quality diet for senior pets that contains the right nutrients can help slow down the effects of brain deterioration.

Their interactions with you may be different as well; they may follow you everywhere or, inversely, isolate themselves. As they age, some animals become fearful. Their eyesight, hearing and sense of smell become less effective, creating anxiety and, in some cases, eating disorders. Therefore, you must offer them their food in a suitable texture (wet or dry), along with fresh water at all times, in a place that is easy to find and reach.

Serious illnesses in our senior pets can lead to kidney failure, diabetes, thyroid problems, severe osteoarthritis that can be disabling and painful, periodontal disease that affects their teeth and their quality of life due to the pain it can cause, etc. Dietary recommendations are made during your pet's annual checkup, on a case-by-case basis, depending on the ups and downs in their lives. Some will go through their senior years without any issues, while others may develop more or less severe conditions that require veterinary care. In both cases, a diet tailored to senior pets is recommended to prevent or reduce the symptoms of aging.

In summary, here are some points to review with your veterinary team to ensure your pet's diet is adapted to make the aging process as harmonious as possible.

• Meets their specific needs based on any illnesses or particular conditions;

  
  

• Have a protein level adapted to their overall health in order to maintain good muscle mass (lean body mass);

  
  

• Have a suitable taste and texture to stimulate a good appetite;

  
  

• Be highly digestible;

  
  
  
  

• Contain nutrients to help reduce the effects of aging on the entire body;

  
  

• Contain joint supplements to reduce the symptoms of osteoarthritis;

  
  

• Contain supplements to support vital functions;

  
  

• Adequate calorie intake to maintain a healthy weight (fat mass);

  
  

• Contain vitamins and minerals.

  
  
  
  

  Geneviève

  Animal Health Technician