Showing posts with label aging dogs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label aging dogs. Show all posts

Thursday, May 18, 2017

Aging and Canine Cognition

From the Life's Abundance May 2017 Newsletter:

Effects of Aging on Canine Cognition

In observation of National Pet Month, Dr. Jessica Vogelsang takes an in-depth look at how canine cognition changes as dogs age, and provides tips to help keep them healthy for many future National Pet Month celebrations!

I can’t tell you how often I ask pet parents about their senior dog and the response is “okay, but … I guess he’s just getting old.” I love this conversation opener, because it tells me two things. One, the pet parent is paying enough attention to know something has changed, even if they don’t think it’s anything to be concerned about. Two, there’s probably something I can do to help!

All living things grow old. The aging process is complicated and messy, encompassing a variety of genetic and environmental factors. Some we can control, others we can slow down, and the remainder we just manage the best we can. The good news is, there’s almost always something we can do to make a companion animal feel better.

When we think about what it means to be old, most of us jump to the most obvious complaint of age … aches and pains. The body stiffens, the joints dry out, the discs in our spines shrivel up, and we end up shuffling around like Carl from the movie Up. Almost all senior dogs develop symptoms of osteoarthritis, which is one of the reasons I recommend joint supplements for seniors. If a pet parent says, “He won’t climb the stairs anymore,” or, “He doesn’t want to go for long walks,” then I know we’re likely dealing with pain.

But what about cognitive dysfunction, the age-related decline in neurologic function? Referred to as “canine cognitive dysfunction” in veterinary medicine, some laypeople call it “doggie Alzheimer’s”. While the symptoms can be similar to what humans experience, it’s not exactly the same thing.


Unfortunately, cognitive decline is quite common in senior dogs. More than half of all dogs over the age of 11 show at least one clinical sign. Since we don’t know for certain all the biological changes that occur in an aging brain, we describe canine cognitive dysfunction as a collection of symptoms:


  • Disorientation
  • Changes in activity level
  • Changes in sleep/wake cycle (e.g., wandering around in the middle of the night)
  • House-soiling
  • Anxiety
  • No longer adhering to an established routine
  • For many years, we simply accepted this condition as a price for living a long life. However, we’re learning that there are ways we can actually decelerate cognitive decline in dogs.


One way veterinarians manage cognitive dysfunction in dogs is through medications. Certain drugs that increase the amount of the neurotransmitter dopamine may improve brain function. In fact, the same drug used by dogs can also be used to treat Parkinson’s!



The other way we manage cognitive decline is through the nutrition and personal attention we provide our dogs. New and exciting research is showing that certain types of antioxidants and dietary ingredients can positively impact the brain function of senior pets! I love this because these are safe, easy changes we can use to improve the aging process for all our senior friends:

1. Feed a diet rich in antioxidants. Free radicals in the body accelerate the aging process. Antioxidants, such as those found in a variety of fruits and vegetables, can be added to a dog’s diet to limit the free-radical damage. Several studies have shown that seniors who eat a diet rich in antioxidants exhibit clinical improvement in cognitive function within just a few weeks.

2. Exercise the brain. Keep your pet’s neurons working through lots of daily playtime, walks, and puzzles. We joke that the brain is a muscle; it’s not, of course, but like a muscle it does benefit from regular workouts!

3. Fatty acids. We all know essential fatty acids are good for the skin and coat, but there’s also increasing evidence that a subset of fatty acids called medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) serve as a preferred energy source for the brain and can actually improve mental sharpness.

If your dog is getting a little grey around the muzzle, don’t accept “he’s just getting old” as a fact of life. Yes, we all age, but we can do it better by taking steps to preserve health and quality of life.

All my best to you and your lovable, aging dogs!


 Dr. Jessica Vogelsang



Monday, July 18, 2016

Feeding and caring for aging pets

Courtesy of the Life's Abundance July 2016 Newsletter:

Dr. Jane Bicks: Care & Feeding of Aging Dogs

A lot of folks don’t realize it, but as companion animals grow older, their nutritional needs often change. As their caretakers, we owe it to them to provide the best we can, based on their current nutritional requirements. The truth is, when it comes to senior dogs, appropriate, targeted nourishment can make a real difference in terms of longevity and long-term happiness.

The Four Stages of Canine Life

The four stages of a dog’s life are: puppyhood, adolescence, adult and senior. Keep in mind, however, that breeds age at differing rates. When it comes to determining where your dog lands on the scale, size really does matter. For instance, small breeds enter adolescence and reach full size as adults much more quickly than do large breeds. Even so, small breeds enjoy a longer period in the adult life stage. Large and giant breed dogs progress more rapidly to the senior life stage, but overall have shorter lifespans. For example, while the average miniature poodle lives 15 years, a Great Dane’s life expectancy is about nine.

Regal Great Dane

When Do Dogs Become Seniors?

There is not one specific age at which a pet becomes a senior. In general, veterinarians consider dogs ages 6-7 as having entered their senior years, with larger dogs reaching seniority more quickly than small breed dogs. In human terms, a small or medium-sized breed dog at seven years of age is the equivalent of a mid-forties human, while a large or giant breed dog is more similar to a 50- to 56-year-old.

Aging is a complex process that depends on breed, environment and lifestyle, so even within the same breed, some individuals age more quickly than others. Your companion animal’s unique state of health is more important than any date on the calendar!

Common Health Conditions in Senior Dogs

Some of the common medical conditions seen in older pets include heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes, obesity and joint disease. While it’s impossible for diet alone to address all of these conditions, we do know that providing senior dogs with optimal nutrition is the best thing you can do to ensure longevity (more about that in a minute). I ask each of you to work with your veterinarian to come up with a holistic plan to address your senior dog’s individual needs.

In addition to regular veterinary checkups, pet parents should be on the lookout for any of the following symptoms, all of which warrant a visit to the vet …

• Sudden changes in appetite, either decreased or increased
• Increased thirst & urination
• Straining to urinate or defecate
• Persistent cough
• Panting, even when resting
• Vomiting
• Difficulty rising from a resting position, climbing stairs, or getting in & out of cars
• Increased incidents of indoor elimination
• Sudden changes in temperament
• Acting confused or disoriented

The Importance of Dietary Supplements

Nutritional plans for seniors really should feature dietary supplements. For instance, most senior dogs would benefit from taking a premium joint supplement. Remember, aging joints are often painful joints! And it’s not at all uncommon for coats to lose their luster later in life … not to mention, skin becoming dry and flaky. Adding a balanced skin-and-coat supplement just might make all the difference! And, of course, general wellness supplements with antioxidants and immune support could help provide what your senior dog needs for his or her golden years.

The All Life Stage Food Solution

If you have multiple dogs on different diets and you’re worried about who’s eating what, simplify meal time by feeding in different rooms, or even in crates.

For most households, a premium all life stage diet offers the perfect solution. At Life’s Abundance, we’ve worked diligently to perfect formulas that provide abundant nutrition for all breeds, at all points in their life spectrum. The truth is, puppies and senior dogs share many of the same nutritional needs. For instance, our All Life Stage Dog Food features the additional amino acids, probiotics, Vitamin E and zinc that dogs need early AND late in life. With precise portions and individualized wellness supplements, the needs of each individual dog can be met.

Now that we’ve covered canines, I’ll be delving into senior cat nutrition next month.

Thank you for all you do to make the world a better place for companion animals.

dr jane
Dr. Jane