As any number of Instagram memes attest to, getting old is no joke. What’s even worse than our own creaking, croaking head, shoulders, knees, and toes though? Watching our pets age. Rusty, aching joints, struggles eating, wandering focus, lack of joy… All common to the aging process, but heart-rending nonetheless as we see their quality of life slowly go downhill. But there are ways to help your aging pet go gracefully into their golden years!
The art of caring for senior pets involves prioritizing joint health, vitality, brain health, heart health, and gut well-being. Here, in detail, are all the essential elements to a happy, healthy old age for your dog or cat, with a slew of science-backed supplements to aid in your artistry!
1. Preserving Joint Health: The Foundation of Mobility
One of the key aspects to ensuring a fulfilling and comfortable life for your senior pet revolves around preserving their joint health. Aging can bring about conditions like arthritis and reduced mobility, impacting the joy of play and daily activities.
Consider incorporating a joint health supplement into your pet’s routine. ThorneVet’s Joint Support Formula (formerly Arthroplex), for example, helps optimize the normal function of joints and muscles, and provides nutrients and botanicals that are necessary for
- creating collagen,
- repairing damage, and
- maintaining a healthy inflammatory response.
With ingredients like glucosamine, chondroitin, and MSM – for promoting flexibility and alleviating discomfort – this addition can offer significant relief from the common aches and pains associated with arthritis and aging in general.
2. Sustaining Vitality: A Holistic Approach
Vitality is the heartbeat of a pet’s happiness, and it becomes even more critical in their senior years. A balanced diet, enriched with high-quality protein and essential nutrients, can contribute to sustained energy levels.
In addition, specialized supplements – like ThorneVet’s Longevity Complex (coming soon!) – designed for senior pets, offer a comprehensive approach to support overall vitality and to maintain quality of life. With ingredients tailored to address the unique needs of aging pets, such formulations can become a valuable ally in maintaining their zest for life.
ThorneVet also offers comprehensive aging pooch support with their Elder Dog Bundle, which combines the enhanced support of Canine Geriatric Basics with the regulating benefits of ThorneVet’s Hemp Tincture. This boost of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and botanical nutrients can really improve the quality of life of your aging dog, offering support for:
- stress and tension,
- pain and discomfort,
- GI distress, and
- uncomfortable skin conditions.
3. Boosting Cognitive Support: Power Your Pup’s Brain Health
Adding ThorneVet’s Canine Cognitive Support to your aging dog’s daily diet can provide a powerhouse of nutrients to support the aging brain.
Designed to increase cerebral blood flow and provide potent antioxidants to help with degenerative processes like cognitive dysfunction or dementia, this addition can make all the difference to their daily life and how they experience joy.
4. Caring for Heart Health: Love in Every Beat
With your own heartbreak on the line watching your aging pet suffer, it’s obvious that supporting your pet’s heart health is a no-brainer.
Aging hearts deserve extra attention, and proactive measures can go a long way in supporting their cardiovascular health. ThorneVet’s Heart Health Formula (formerly Bio-Cardio) is crafted to provide optimal support in this regard, by including a number of heart-friendly ingredients, key of those being:
- Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) provides important antioxidant and cardio-protective properties to the heart muscle. Research in animals demonstrates that CoQ10 promotes oxygen utilization in the heart and helps maintain a healthy myocardium.
- Quercetin has been shown in multiple animal studies to
- provide protection to the heart muscle,
- provide beneficial antioxidant support, and
- inhibit the production of inflammatory cytokines.
5. Fostering Gut Health: Well-Being from the Core
As anyone suffering digestive issues can tell you, a healthy gut is the cornerstone of any mammal’s overall well-being, playing a crucial role in digestion, nutrient absorption, and immune function.
As pets age, their digestive systems can need extra care. ThorneVet’s Gut Health Formula (formerly Gastriplex) offers a blend of prebiotics, probiotics, and soothing botanicals to promote a balanced gut microbiome.
This holistic approach:
- aids in digestion,
- reduces inflammation, and
- bolsters the immune system – contributing to a happier and healthier senior pet.
If caring for senior pets is an art, then each brushstroke represents a thoughtful decision made with love. With the help of ThorneVet, let their senior years be a masterpiece.
Dr. Keith Weingardt is a 1999 graduate of Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. He completed acupuncture certification from the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society in 2004 and certification in herbal medicine at the Chi Institute of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine in 2006. He has started successful integrative veterinary practices in San Diego, CA and Portland, OR. He is a dedicated herbalist and enjoys working with the plants of the Pacific Northwest. Currently, he works as a consultant for ThorneVet, specializing in product development and continuing education.
