Playing Young and Staying Young: Tips for Senior Pets ? Dr Ernie ...

Dr. Ernie Ward with his senior dog, Sandy

Our pets are living longer. In fact,? 11 percent of pets in the U.S., approximately 33 million, are 11 years or older. We can attribute this longevity to several factors including advancements in veterinary medicine and care, the increasing closeness of the human/pet bond and improvements in pet nutrition.?Here?s?a series of helpful tips to keep your aging pet playing young ? and staying young ? throughout their? senior years:

• Keeping mental functions sharp ? It turns out that old dogs CAN learn new tricks! Studies show that, just like people,? pets need to keep their brains stimulated throughout their lifetime to keep their mental capacities sharp and utilized. Food puzzles are a great way to?keep pets intellectually stimulated and challenged. Also, try?teaching?your old dog ? or cat ? a new trick. It can be as simple as ?Shake? or complex as?learning?to run an agility course. Even?reversing?your normal?walking?route can provide a refreshed view of?the?world for an older pet.

• Providing your pet with the best nutrition ? As your pet ages, their health and nutritional needs change and they require extra support based on the changes their bodies are going through. Feeding your pet the proper nutrition in their senior years, such as Iams Senior Plus formulas (visit?www.iams.com?for?more information), is critical to helping them fight the signs of aging and keeping them active and playful. The new Iams Senior Plus formulas include specific ingredientsfor more mature cats and dogs to ensure they have the right amount of pep intheir step, including:
• Antioxidants to restore immune response to that of a healthy adult pet, including Vitamin E
• Tailored fiber blend,including prebiotics and beet pulp for healthy digestion
• More fat to help maintain ideal weight and body condition andL-carnitine to help pets utilize dietary fat; and high-quality protein fromchicken and egg to help maintain muscle mas
• Exercise is critical to keeping your pet youthful ? Keeping a pet lean as they age is one of the most important factors in preventing health issues. I recommend 30 minutes of daily aerobic exercise for most dogs, as well as light daily activity for cats,?and items, like ChuckIt! fetch games and FroliCat SWAY, are great ways to keep your four-legged family members on their paws.
• Visit The Vet! ? Your veterinarian can help uncover any hidden or internal ailments that require medical attention. As a pet ages, it?s imperative that they see their vet at least twice a year to maintain optimal health.

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