Fostering Fido's Fitness Fights Frailty
Professor David Demko, PhD
AgeVenture News Service
Maybe you don't see your former co-workers that much any more. And now that the kids are grown with families of their own, not too many people are beating a path to your door. But you don't have to look any further than your faithful canine for a little companionship. Better than that, your pet helps you stay active and healthy. As a case in point, the need to walk the dog gets you out each day. And the walk does you just as much good as it does your pet. No doubt about it, when it comes to your pet, you've got a good thing going. So why not keep it that way?
Now senior pet owners like yourself can play a big role in keeping Fido fit so your canine companion will be around and active a lot longer. The IAMS Company, creator of a special dog food called Eukanuba has announced a nutritional breakthrough for older canines. Created by the company's geriatric research team, the new Eukanuba Senior Maintenance Formula is the only food with a unique combination of nutrients for dogs aged five to seven and older. And we all know that a dog of seven is no Spring Chicken.
The new IAMS formula combats the effects of aging and keeps the dog active and healthier. It works by enhancing the immune system, maintains healthy joints, regulates normal blood glucose levels to maintain energy, controls weight and improves intestinal health.
Heading the list of nutritional ingredients in this new dog food is a novel antioxidant package containing vitamin E, beta-carotene and lutein. These antioxidants help protect cell membranes and DNA from free radicals, toxic compounds generated by the body or the environment that can trigger a number of chronic or metabolic diseases, especially in senior pets. As a result, the new IAMS Senior Dog Food Formula contains 50% more antioxidants than their formula for younger dogs.
Of course, a sound diet is only one component of a health regimen for your senior pet. So here's a few lifestyle tips from the IAMS canine expert, veterinarian Dr. Daniel P. Carey.
- Schedule a vet exam every six months for dogs age 5-plus.
- Record basic blood and urine tests for a future baseline reference.
- Feed age-appropriate nutritional senior food.
- Instead of one big meal, try 2-3 smaller meals to boost metabolism.
- Keep the immune system strong by maintaining vaccinations.
- Brush weekly to inspect for unusual bumps or lumps on the skin.
- Take a few short walks each day for cardiovascular fitness.
Readers can get more free advice on caring for senior dogs and cats by calling the IAMS toll-free service number (1-800-863-4267) Monday through Saturday, 8AM to 8PM Eastern Standard Time. And now is a good time to call because the folks at IAMS and Pfizer tell me that September is "Senior Care" month. So start treating your canine companion with a little TLC. Feed'em right. Walk'em regular. And the next time you tell the waiter you want a Doggie Bag for your left-over steak ... for heaven's sake ... don't take it home and eat it yourself. Save some for Fido.
Photo credit: Colle & McVoy, Minneapolis, MN.
David Demko reports on lifestyle issues and trends in Aging America.
Submit reader comments to:
demko@demko.com
This column may be used, free-of-charge, by print and broadcast media with the following attribution:"David Demko, AgeVenture News Service, www.demko.com"
Please see "Permissions" procedure on the AgeVenture HOME PAGE.
COLUMNS - MAIN MENU
AgeVenture News Service, 21946 Pine Trace, Boca Raton, FL 33428 USA
Dr. David Demko, Editor
Voice-mail: 561-482-6271. E-mail: demko@demko.com