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ALL of us who own a pet ideally want our beloved four-paws to live forever. Sadly, this kind of life extension is the stuff of science fiction. But we are increasingly in reach of the next best thing: extending the number of years our pets live their best lives, happy, active and full of vitality.

Until recently, a major goal of veterinary scientists was to maximise an animal’s lifespan. Today, the focus has shifted to increasing healthspan, the number of years an animal enjoys good health. “It’s not so much about how long we let them live, but how long we let them live a good life, a quality life, a functional and resilient life,” explains Dr Tanya Schoeman, a veterinary specialist physician with Royal Canin, a global supplier of pet food.

“We know that ageing is not a disease. It’s a physiological state that leads to disease. So we’re saying, let’s look at interventions that can take an organism that is in its prime and keep that plateau of form and function and resilience for as long as possible.”

The deterioration and disease that occurs in all organisms as they age is driven by a number of processes that take place at a cellular level. These include so-called “epigenetic” changes—chemical modifications to DNA—that affect how genes switch on and off as well as mutations and other changes that build up in DNA. Then there are the effects of the accumulation of damaging ‘senescent’ cells that no longer divide and dysfunction of the mitochondria that regulate cell energy. These are all hard to influence.

Cellular ageing

But researchers have pinpointed other factors too. For example, disruption in the balance of health-promoting microorganisms in the gut, chronic low-level inflammation (known as inflammaging) that leads to cell damage and disease as well as the ageing body’s impaired ability to detect the presence or absence of nutrients.

Some of these processes are known to affect dogs and cats in specific ways. For instance, impaired nutrient detection is likely one reason why dogs that are overfed throughout their lives develop disease and die earlier than dogs that consume fewer calories.

Changes in the gut microbiome are thought to be linked to age-related cognitive decline in dogs and cats. And inflammaging has been implicated in degenerative joint disease in cats, and in heart and kidney disease and various cancers in dogs. “Very often [the onset of disease] is where we as pet owners see the signs of ageing, but those processes have been going on inside the body for many years,” says Dr Schoeman.

For over 50 years, Royal Canin has been exploring how advanced nutrition might be used to support pets as they age. For example, one early-stage project is investigating how targeted nutritional profiles can optimally support the body’s natural systems and maintain overall vitality before the outward signs of structural decline begin to show.

In previous research, the company found that optimising the dietary balance of two different types of omega-3 fatty acids, EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), can successfully support joint mobility and comfort. The new research is exploring how these specific dietary interventions can be used early on to promote long-term joint health and keep healthy pets moving comfortably for longer.

Alongside its scientific programme, Royal Canin is trying to raise awareness among pet owners that early intervention can increase their pet’s healthspan. A recent survey by the company, which questioned over 19,000 dog and cat owners in 18 countries, found that 44 per cent of owners never think about their animal’s ageing until noticeable signs of ageing appear, 38 per cent believe nothing can be done about it anyway, and 55 per cent avoid the subject because it makes them sad.

Dr Schoeman says it’s important to persuade owners that “ageing isn’t something to fear. It’s something that can be modified, and we can actively influence the trajectory of our pet’s ageing.”

What can owners do right now to help their pets age gracefully? The most important thing is to manage their weight: veterinary scientists agree that obesity is the number one risk factor for age-related disease, disability and death in all species. Exercise is also key, to keep muscles strong and to maintain cognitive health.

Finally, Dr Schoeman recommends incorporating healthy ageing conversations into regular annual health checks where a vet can carry out blood tests, check muscle mass and body condition, and start an ongoing conversation with the owner about how their pet is faring.

Healthy ageing

Healthy ageing in pets can look similar to healthy ageing in people, says Dr Brennen McKenzie, director of veterinary medicine at animal health company Loyal. But he says there is a crucial difference: pets don’t get to determine how or when they die. Most pets at the end of their lives are euthanised by their owners when the owners decide, usually with great reluctance, that they are suffering unduly or in severe decline. Consequently, extending their healthspan is the only way to make them live longer, says Dr McKenzie.

The death of a pet can feel as devastating as the death of a family member. Grief for a beloved animal may be unavoidable, but it would be comforting to know that they had lived a contented healthy life for as long as possible.

The essential thing, says Dr Schoeman, is to start thinking about ageing when your pet enters the midlife stage – around six or seven for most dogs and cats, and as early as five for large dogs with shorter lifespans. She acknowledges, however, that many people find the idea of their pet getting older hard to accept. “This is an emotional subject for pet owners. We’re talking about companions in our households that live our lives with us. That’s why we should see healthy ageing as a positive conversation. After all, every pet deserves more happy, healthy years sharing our lives with us.” Acting earlier in their lives can make a significant difference.

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