The Golden Years: Senior-Specific Products Benefit Aging Pets

The month of November is designated as National Senior Pet Awareness Month, also known as National Adopt A Senior Pet Month.

Dedicating a month to senior pet health can help pet owners understand that an older pet is more likely to develop diseases such as heart, kidney, and liver disease; cancer; or arthritis. Behavioral changes may also occur. The animal may become more irritable and less active or start soiling in the house.

Advances in pet care mean companion animals, most notably dogs and cats, are living longer; thus, senior cats and dogs are becoming a larger part of the nation’s pet demographic.

The age range for senior pets has changed over the years. Today, the senior life stage is applied to cats over 11 years old. As for canine companions, petite dogs are considered seniors when they reach 10 years of age, while giant breed dogs tend to have shorter life spans compared with smaller breeds and are often considered senior when they are approximately 6 years of age.

Pet brands are offering senior-specific products to help cats and dogs flourish in their old age and retailers should have a wide variety of senior-oriented products among their offerings. Senior pets require increased attention, including more frequent visits to the veterinarian, possible changes in diet and in some cases alterations to their home environment. As pets age, their needs evolve, but this doesn’t mean they can’t continue to enjoy the same activities they did as younger pets. That’s why pet parents are turning to their local pet retailers to provide information and helpful products for senior animal care.

SUPPLEMENTS

Rooted Owl offers a comprehensive line of natural supplements designed to support the health and well-being of pets. Among this range, several products stand out for their ability to address common health concerns in senior cats and dogs, allowing pet owners to provide targeted support as their pets age. Urinary Support, Cardio Support and Liver Support supplements for dogs are formulated with natural ingredients to help manage age-related issues such as bladder function, heart health and liver detoxification, promoting overall vitality in senior pets.

A unique highlight of this supplement line is the Joint and Muscle Health supplement, available for Medium and Large Dogs, as well as for Cats and Small Dogs. This product supports muscle recovery, joint reconstitution, and pain relief, featuring UC-II® Type II Collagen from Lonza, which has been proven superior to glucosamine for joint health. Rooted Owl’s formula is the only one on the market that combines UC-II® with L-Carnitine to enhance muscle function, and it is delivered in capsule form for optimal bioavailability and controlled release. These supplements provide an exceptional solution for senior pets facing mobility challenges, helping them stay active and comfortable in their golden years.

The line includes a supplement designed for joint and muscle health that comes in two versions: one for medium and large dogs and one for cats and small dogs. The product is formulated to support muscle recovery, joint reconstitution and pain relief. The supplements contain UC-II Type II Collagen from Lonza, which, according to the company, is superior to glucosamine often found in other hip and joint pet supplements. In addition, the supplement is the only product on the market to combine UC-II with L-Carnitine, designed for recovering muscle function, according to the company.

Rooted Owl products are developed following pharmaceutical human-grade standards, ensuring consistency, reliability, and effectiveness with every dose. Manufactured in an FDA registered facility with GMP certification, its products come in small, vegan capsules with neutral flavor, designed for ingredient stability, enhanced bioavailability and ease of administration.

CAT NEEDS

In 2021, to support the aging cat population, Tiki Pets launched a line of senior-specific wet cat food formulas, designed for felines ages 11 and up. Tiki Cat Silver includes several protein-focused wet cat food formulas in both pouch and canned formulas. The recipes, which all feature broth, include Mousse with Salmon & Pumpkin, Mousse & Shreds with Chicken, Duck & Duck Liver and Whole Foods with Tuna & Mackerel Recipe. Each recipe features animal meat as the No. 1 ingredient.

Tiki Cat Silver offers larger amounts of high-quality, easily digestible protein and fat, which is one way it is customized to the nutritional needs of cats 11 and older. It is also formulated with low phosphorus levels and added hydration to support kidney and urinary tract health. Pumpkin is featured in these formulas to support digestion, antioxidant vitamins A and E help boost the immune system and joint health, and Omega fatty acids can support immunity and mobility.

Besides a change in food, cats can benefit from senior-specific litter. Cats can be particular about the texture of their litter, especially with non-clay options. As cats age, they experience joint soreness. Therefore, it may be stressful for them to step into a litter box, and depending on the type of litter, it may be irritating to their paws because of sensitivity as they get older. In addition to paw soreness, joint inflammation can also cause senior cats to feel uncomfortable while standing on denser litters like pellets.

Kidney failure is the No. 1 cause of death in senior cats, which have several conditions that lower their natural resistance to urinary infections. Kidney failure, diabetes and hyperthyroidism all lead to more dilute urine. Dr. Elsey’s Senior Litter addresses the medical and urinary tract problems that this specific group of cat’s experience with a solution to help prevent kidney failure and urinary tract infections that can cause non-use of the litter box.

Dr. Elsey’s Senior Litter is an amorphous silica gel litter infused with hydrolyzed herbs to draw the cats to the litter box. It helps keep a cat’s genital area clean to help prevent urinary tract infection. The fine-grain silica sand can be kept shallow, about one inch, in the litter box thus preventing a cat from getting litter and feces on their genital area and soiling themselves.

Paw Sensitive, another litter from Dr. Elsey’s, is also ideal for senior cats, as it has a softer texture. As the name implies, the litter is designed for cats with sensitive paws, and its finer granules give it a sand-like consistency, which is beneficial for elderly cats, especially those experiencing age-related health conditions or reduced activity. Paw Sensitive is a gentle option has all the advantages of a clay litter, like fast clumping and minimal dust, but can help prevent unwanted house-soiling.

DOG NEEDS

Senior dogs, on the other hand, have specific nutritional needs to help them enjoy long-term health as they age. They require ingredients that will be supportive of their joints, digestion and immune system. They also benefit from recipes that are specially formulated with balanced nutrients, antioxidants and easily digestible ingredients.

Annamaet’s Re-Juvenate is a senior-specific, grain-free formula that uses wild-caught, sustainable silver carp as a protein source. Silver carp, which are filter feeders, consume algae that is high in plankton and Omega-3 fatty acids, helping to promote healthy cognitive function in aging dogs. Silver carp also are high in protein and low in fat, as seniors require more protein on a calorie basis than young adults.

The recipe also includes turmeric, which is one of the most potent and natural anti-inflammatories available. Re-Juvenate also contains coconut oil, a rich source of medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) that are known to help improve mental sharpness by increasing brain energy metabolism. With algae, L-Carnitine and higher levels of DHA, Re-Juvenate is designed specifically to enable older pets to live longer, healthier lives. Annamaet recipes always are formulated to meet all the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for Adult and Senior Maintenance.

Several studies have shown that more than 80 percent of senior dogs experience dental disease. When it comes to an older dog’s dental care, NPIC, the maker of Get Naked and N-Bone pet treats, offers its innovative N-Bone Senior Dental Rings that is the only dental treat designed specifically for senior dogs. The dental treat come in a unique ring shape and is fortified with such functional ingredients as DHA, glucosamine and chondroitin to support the healthy brain and joint during a dog’s golden years. Each ring is handcrafted with care in the U.S.A. and contains no wheat, corn or soy. Available in a chicken flavor, the treat features a pliable texture that is easy to chew and is gentle on a dog’s aging teeth.

Senior dogs, especially those dealing with arthritis, hip dysplasia or other joint issues, can benefit greatly from orthopedic dog beds. These beds, which are typically made with memory foam, provide cushioning to a dog’s joints, reducing pain and helping them sleep more comfortably.

The Jamison Orthopedic Pet Napper combines a moisture barrier below the sleep deck that’s appropriate for wet or incontinent senior pets. A four-inch medical-grade orthopedic foam insert provides relief to pressure points, joints and hips. A quilted microfiber cover is soft, cozy and machine washable. The Jamison is offered in a variety of sizes in four color options: sage, charcoal, chocolate and saddle.

“When we launched the company 19 years ago, we recognized the need to identify some significant points of differentiation in order to flourish in the already crowded pet space,” noted Ed Bobowski, co-founder of the Carolina Pet Company. “Senior pet was an emerging category as pets – dogs in particular – were being better cared for, living longer and acquiring some of the same maladies human are often afflicted by, including arthritis and incontinence in addition to impaired vision and hearing and even signs of dementia.”

Green Dog Throw is the newest addition to the Carolina Pet’s Senior Pet Collection and features a moisture barrier insert that’s wrapped in a soft and durable recycled and sustainable cover that’s machine washable. The protective throw is the perfect problem solver over upholstered furniture, top-of-bed, on carpeting, across a car seat or in the cargo area of an SUV or Mini Van.

For the aftermarket, Carolina Pet offers waterproof liners designed to fit a variety of popular size rectangular and kuddler beds. The full-length zipper allows the liner to fit easily over foam inserts or loose fiber fill and is machine washable.

Retailers can benefit from not only carrying senior pet care products, but also dedicating a section of the store to these items. Retailers should also work with companies to learn the science behind what makes a product senior specific. Having knowledge about why customers’ pets can benefit from a product creates trust and loyalty. Rather than telling a customer that their pet needs a product, it is more productive to explain why.