Bigstock As more dogs reportedly live into their senior years, veterinary teams are increasingly focused on strategies to support healthy aging. A new educational partnership between Purina and the Senior Dog Veterinary Society will provide veterinary professionals with information on nutrition and other considerations for older canine patients. More than half of U.S. dog-owning households reportedly have a senior dog, highlighting the growing importance of understanding age-related changes.1 However, there is no universally defined senior life stage for dogs. Aging can vary considerably based on factors such as breed, size, genetics, and environment. Unlike puppies and adult dogs, senior dogs do not have specific nutritional requirements established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). As a result, nutritional recommendations for older dogs may require individualized consideration based on a patient's health status, life stage and other factors. "Senior dogs are not simply adult dogs who have reached a certain birthday," says Dr. RuthAnn Lobos, senior veterinarian at Purina. "Subtle changes in muscle condition, mobility, cognition and digestive health may begin before a more significant decline, creating an important opportunity for veterinary teams to take a more proactive approach to senior dog care – especially through nutrition." As part of the collaboration, the Senior Dog Veterinary Society will offer members access to educational resources, including webinars led by board-certified veterinary nutritionists. The courses are approved for continuing education credit. The first webinar, "Feeding the Healthy Senior Dog: Nutrition Strategies for Proactive Aging," is scheduled for Aug. 6 and will be presented by Martha Cline, DVM, DACVIM (Nutrition), a veterinary nutritionist. For more information, visit Senior Dog Veterinary Society. Reference MRI-Simmons USA National Consumer Study. Summer 2022. Data reported in PETS International. November 2022: "Senior Pets and Pet Care.
