#United States #St. Louis #Purina #Nutrition #Senior Dog Society

Purina Partners with Senior Dog Veterinary Society

As dogs continue to live longer, veterinary professionals face the growing challenge of providing care tailored for aging canine patients. In light of this trend, Purina has announced a strategic partnership with the Senior Dog Veterinary Society to advance the nutritional care of older dogs. This collaboration seeks to empower veterinarians with the knowledge needed to meet the distinct health and dietary requirements characteristic of senior dogs.

Understanding the Aging Dog Population

The demographic of senior dogs has seen an explosive increase over the last fifteen years. Currently, over half of United States households with dogs have at least one senior dog living with them. With this increase, understanding the health changes that come with aging becomes paramount. Dr. RuthAnn Lobos, a senior veterinarian at Purina, emphasizes that senior dogs should not merely be seen as older adults. They undergo gradual changes in muscle condition, mobility, cognition, and digestive health that require veterinary teams to adopt a proactive approach towards their care.

Filling the Nutritional Gap

Unlike other life stages, there is no universally accepted definition of what constitutes a 'senior' dog. Factors such as breed, size, genetics, and environment all contribute to the variations in life expectancy. Consequently, regulatory bodies like the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) do not specify nutritional needs for senior dogs. This makes tailored nutrition—developed in collaboration with veterinary nutritionists and proven through scientific research—essential for promoting healthy aging in canine companions.

Purina has dedicated over a century to exploring canine nutrition, leading to groundbreaking discoveries that enhance the quality and longevity of dogs' lives, especially senior dogs. Their commitment to advancing research ensures that senior dogs can live healthier, longer lives.

Comprehensive Support for Veterinary Professionals

The Senior Dog Veterinary Society is committed to improving the care and service veterinary professionals provide to older canine patients through advanced training and certification programs led by experts in the field. This partnership with Purina offers an opportunity for veterinarians to gain access to valuable resources, including in-depth nutrition webinars delivered by board-certified veterinary nutritionists. These educational initiatives aim to deepen the veterinary community's understanding and practical applications of nutrition in enhancing the health of senior dogs.

The upcoming webinar series includes a course titled "Feeding the Healthy Senior Dog: Nutrition Strategies for Proactive Aging" presented by veterinary nutritionist Martha Cline, DVM, DACVIM (Nutrition). Scheduled for August 6, 2026, this session promises to shed light on how nutrition can be effectively used to support the various changes senior dogs experience. Participants can earn continuing education (CE) credits through these courses, with each session recognized by RACE, the Registry of Approved Continuing Education.

Dr. Monica Tarantino, Co-Founder of the Senior Dog Veterinary Society, expressed her enthusiasm for this partnership, underlining how gradual changes in senior dogs' health can be supported through thoughtful nutrition. "Senior dogs don’t become old overnight; it’s a gradual journey. Nutrition plays a vital role as we navigate these changes together," she said.

By collaborating with the Senior Dog Veterinary Society, Purina is set to not only deepen veterinary professionals' knowledge of canine nutrition but also provide actionable strategies for delivering personalized care to senior dogs. This initiative represents a significant step toward enhancing the quality of life for aging dogs across America.

For more information about the Senior Dog Veterinary Society and future webinars hosted by Purina, visit SeniorDogVets.com.

About Nestlé Purina PetCare

Founded in 1894, Nestlé Purina PetCare is dedicated to creating richer lives for pets and their human companions. With a historic commitment to scientific innovation in pet nutrition, Purina is behind trusted brands such as Dog Chow, Purina ONE, Pro Plan, Friskies, and Tidy Cats. Their research team, comprised of 500 experts, ensures that they meet the evolving needs of pets, promoting healthy and happy lives for over 46 million dogs and 68 million cats every year.

About the Senior Dog Veterinary Society

The Senior Dog Veterinary Society aims to enrich the care and services provided to senior dogs, fostering excellence through education and community support. Their mission focuses on promoting best practices for enhancing the quality of life for aging canine companions.