Nutritional needs and health outcomes of ageing cats and dogs: is it time for updated nutrient guidelines?
Loading...
Date
2024-06-20
Open Access Location
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Oxford University Press on behalf of the American Society of Animal Science
Rights
Copyright © 2024 American Society of Animal Science
CC BY 4.0
CC BY 4.0
Abstract
Implications
• While cats are classed as senior at 10 years of chronological age, physiological and health changes occur from 8 years of age and it appears that diet may influence the ageing process.
• Dogs are classed as senior at 12 years for smaller dogs and 10 years for larger breeds. Due to differences in longevity associated with breed size a definite age that dogs start to experience changes is difficult to establish.
• Despite our pets ageing, living in extreme cases to 30 + years, there are no explicit nutritional guidelines for feeding ageing animals. Increased scientific knowledge around the specific nutritional requirements of ageing cats and dogs is required.
• Many of the underlying physiological processes (e.g., immune function) and age-associated health conditions (e.g., cognitive decline) respond to nutritional intervention. This suggests that nutritional and regulatory guidelines, should consider recommendations for ‘senior+’ pets.
• Due to the unique nutritional requirements of cats and dogs, more specific knowledge around the mechanisms of ageing is required.
Description
Keywords
cognitive function, healthspan, inflammageing, lifespan, nutrients, sarcopenia, senior
Citation
Bermingham EN, Patterson KA, Shoveller AK, Fraser K, Butowski CF, Thomas DG. (2024). Nutritional needs and health outcomes of ageing cats and dogs: is it time for updated nutrient guidelines?. Anim Front. 14. 3. (pp. 5-16).