Health conscious middle-aged South Africans are investing an incredible amount of money per day on preventative care, and attend regular medical check-ups in order to remain fit and healthy into their senior years.

When it comes to their middle aged pets however, owners are often unaware of the need to make similar changes due to the middle-aged animal’s misleading sleek outer appearance and consistent performance ability. Veterinarians often don’t get to see middle-aged pets unless there is a specific problem, yet vets spend a significant proportion of the day caring for elderly pets with age-related health issues.

Ageing is a fact of life, but just 25% of expected lifespan is determined by genetics. 75% is due to environmental factors, such as nutrition, lifestyle and human-animal bonding. So the changes you make at this key time can really make a difference now and later on in life. It’s important to note that the average age of dogs has increased by 25% over the last few decades, and the number of cats over the age of 6 has doubled, proving that pets are living longer and thus require specific attention during the extended middle age years.

Early visits to the vet, prior to the onset of health problems, are a great opportunity for veterinarians to educate owners of dogs and cats aged 6-10 about making similar lifestyle investments for their pets as they are doing for themselves. A regular (at least once a year) health check with the veterinarian or veterinary nurse is essential to identify health concerns before they develop into problems or advanced diseases.

Think about your pet and answer the following:

• Has your pet slowed down, doesn’t want to play/ exercise as much?
• Does your pet’s breath smell?
• Does your pet limp?
• Are there any lumps or bumps appearing that never used to be there?
• Has there been any weight loss?
• Is your pet drinking more water?
• Has your pet put on a lot of weight?
• Does your pet still enjoy its food and eat well?
• Has your pet developed a cough recently?

If you answered yes to any of these it would be worth taking your pet for a health check. The above are all signs of the diseases of aging. Many of them are treatable or at least manageable. Sometimes it is as simple as a change in diet!

Investing in simple lifestyle changes at the crucial middle age of 7 years can help your pet reach and maintain prime health for longer.

Is your pet 7 years (6 years for large breed dogs) or older?

If the answer is yes, then you may have to reconsider your pet’s diet. The premium and super premium pet food companies have developed nutrition especially for the older pet.

Iams and Eukanuba have taken life stage nutrition and have determined that the ageing process from adult to mature to senior has some very different nutritional requirements.

We all try to lengthen the lifespan of our cherished pets as much as possible, and feeding optimal nutrition plays a vital role in improving and ultimately increasing our pet’s longevity.

“SENIOR” citizen or just a little more “MATURE”?

Does your pet fit into one of the following age brackets?

Cats

• Iams Senior & Mature - 7–11 year cats
• Iams Special Care Senior Plus – 11year + cats

Dogs

• Eukanuba Mature & Senior Small Medium Breed – 7-10 year small & medium breed dogs
• Eukanuba Mature & Senior Large Breed – 6–8 year large breed dogs (because large breed dogs age at a faster rate than small breeds)
• Eukanuba Daily Care Senior 9 + – 9 year + dogs

The benefits featured in both Iams Senior & Mature and Eukanuba Mature & Senior will improve and control:

• Muscle tone and organ function – Excellent quality animal proteins
• Weight management and optimal body condition – Lowered fat levels, a special carbohydrate blend to control the appetite and added L Carnitine to help burn fat
• A strong immune system - added antioxidants to minimize risk of ill health due to naturally declining immunity
• Dental health – special minerals on the outside of the kibble help to reduce tartar build up
• Stiff and aching joints – extra Glucosamine (Iams & Eukanuba) and Chondroitin Sulphate (Eukanuba) to give cartilage and joints added support
• Shiny skin and coat – Omega 6 & 3 fatty acids to promote optimal health on the outside
• Healthy digestion – special fibre sources to create a healthier intestinal environment to improve nutrient absorption

Eukanuba Senior 9+ and Iams Senior Plus diets have dietary benefits for optimal dental, immunity, digestion and skin and coat health, but will also help to improve:

• Muscle mass & tone – higher levels of protein than mature & senior
• Body weight and hunger – higher levels of fat to stimulate a diminishing appetite and waist line as well as a carbohydrate source to stimulate appetite
• Cognition - antioxidants and omega 3 fatty acids help to slow the onset of senility
• Joint deterioration – even more Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulphate (Iams and Eukanuba)

Many of our “mature” pets look absolutely fine, so why change their diet? Ageing is a very subtle process and the signs are not always visible from the outside.

Proper nutrition, a healthy lifestyle and regular health care checkups are the key changes you can implement to promote peak condition in your middle-aged pets, now and in their senior years.

Dr. Sarah Miller BVSc, MRCVS
Director
Cube Route (Pty) Ltd

Exclusive importers of Eukanuba, Iams and Eukanuba Veterinary Diets