Canagan launches Light/Senior grain-free dog food variety

Canagan launched a Light/Senior grain-free dog food variety.

British petfood company Canagan has launched a Light/Senior variety of its grain-free dog food, specifically formulated to meet the nutritional needs of older and overweight dogs.
The new food contains a blend of 60 percent meat or fish from both wet and dry sources, 40 percent vegetable products and beneficial botanicals. This formula contains sweet potato in place of grains, which, as a soluble fiber, is easier for dogs to digest. The food also contains compounds to help support joint health.
The Light/Senior variety dog food is available in 2kg, 6kg and 12kg bags. 

Iams pet food launches Facebook contest for senior pets

Iams pet food brand is launching a contest on its Facebook page that lets dog and cat owners whose pets are 11 years old or older enter to win a year's supply of pet food to celebrate the Iams new Senior Plus formula and educate pet owners about the unique nutritional needs of senior pets. 
Each week, the "Play Young, Stay Young" contest will select a winning dog and cat, based on a photo and brief essay submitted by the owner. The contest, which runs through June 3, will award a total of 16 pets (eight dogs and eight cats) with a year's supply of Iams Senior Plus and will feature the pets on its Facebok page. 
“On the heels of introducing our new Senior Plus formula, we launched the ‘Play Young, Stay Young’ contest to offer pet parents a fun and unique opportunity to celebrate their 11 and older four-legged family members with the chance to win free food for a year,” said Laura Lewis, external relations manager, Iams. “We’re all looking forward to reading the many entries that bring to life how cats and dogs can really benefit from a proper diet and active lifestyle.” 

Iams pet food brand offers new senior cat, dog diets

P&G Pet Care's Iams pet food brand introduced a new line of Senior Plus diets, specifically designed for dogs and cats over age 11. 
Senior Plus diets are available in Iams' ProActive Health and Premium Protection formulas for cats and small to medium breed dogs over age 11, and ProActive Health for large breed dogs age 9 and older. According to the company, the new dog food Senior Plus diets include ingredients such as antioxidants like Vitamin E to restore immunity, a fiber blend with prebiotics and beet pulp for healthy digestion, L-carnitine to help pets utilize dietary fat, and protein from chicken and egg to help maintain muscle mass. The products are sold at pet specialty stores, mass retailers and grocers. 

Many myths about 'senior' dog food formula ingredients, researchers find

A recent survey found that contrary to most Americans' beliefs, "senior" formula dog foods vary widely in ingredients and have no requirements for what must be included in these formulas for older dogs.
About 1,300 people made up of 92% of dog owners responded to Tufts University's Web-based survey. The majority of respondents, 84.5%, believed that senior dogs need to eat differently than younger dogs. However only 43% of the respondents said they used a senior diet for their older pets and only one-third actually consulted their vet about the diet.
Although professional organizations do mandate requirements for puppy and adult dog food, the Association of American Feed Control Officials and the National Research Council have no such requirements for food marketed for "senior" canines beyond what is required for regular adult dog food, according to Dr. Lisa M. Freeman, co-author of a paper appearing in the latest issue of The International Journal for Applied Research in Veterinary Medicineand professor at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University.
Manufacturers "might be increasing protein, decreasing protein or keeping it the same," Freeman said. "That emphasizes to us to look at the individual animal, and not all aging animals need a different diet. It's much, much more important to look at individual dogs."
Respondents tended to assume that senior dog foods were lower in calories, yet this actually varied from 246 to 408 calories a cup. Not all dogs gain weight as they age, some gain weight and some stay the same, Freeman said. Survey respondents also tended to assume that senior diets had less fat, protein and sodium. But, this was also not necessarily the case, with much variation among individual petfood brands, Freeman found.
"The study highlights the diversity among dogs and, consequently, dog food products. Each dog is unique and has distinct needs," said Kurt Gallagher, a spokesman for the Pet Food Institute."Attaining senior status depends on several factors, including the breed and weight of the dog. The differing nutritional needs of dogs are exemplified by the variance in the amount of protein senior dogs should consume."

Purina offers new nutrients for senior dogs

A new product from Nestle Purina uses new research identifying a range of nutrients that can improve mental capacity and memory in elderly dogs, according to a telegraph.co.uk article.
A study at Toronto University, published in the British Journal of Nutrition, showed that dogs fed an anti-aging diet that contained special dietary fats found in some natural vegetable oils, improved their memory and learning skills. These special dietary fats, called medium chain triglycerides (MCTs), are easily converted into energy that is absorbed by the brain.
The MCT supplements are being included for the first time in a petfood with Purina Pro Plan Senior 7+ Original, according to Dr. Jill Cline, senior research nutritionist with Purina.

Blog: What to look for in senior pet diets

A blog from Dream Dogs recently stressed the importance of senior dogs getting proper petfood nutrition. It recommended looking for petfood that has high quality meat protein, low fat and salt content, and less calories.

Purina launches food for older dogs

Purina ONE is launching a petfood intended to enhance the brain function in older dogs, according to a news report.
Purina ONE Vibrant Maturity 7+ Senior dry dog food formula contains a blend of botanical oils designed to improve brain function in older dogs and provide nutritional benefits.
The product is based on research on neuron-targeted nutrition, which provides an alternate energy for brain cells by utilizing blood glucose better, according to the company. Purina scientists claim that in a study on 24 dogs over the age of 7, feeding Vibrant Maturity to 12 dogs enhanced their cognitive abilities such as memory, learning and reasoning compared with that of the other dogs in the study.