Nestlé's Purina is collaborating with the Senior Dog Veterinary Society to provide training aimed at helping veterinary professionals address the specific nutritional needs of aging dogs. This initiative will offer nutritional insights to members of the Society and the broader veterinary community, equipping them with strategies to deliver more personalized care for senior canines.
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Dr. RuthAnn Lobos, a senior veterinarian at Purina, emphasizes the importance of recognizing that senior dogs do not fit a single definition. Unlike puppies or adult dogs, there is significant variability in life expectancy and aging rates among breeds, sizes, and individual dogs, which complicates the establishment of specific nutritional requirements for older dogs.
As dogs enter their senior years, their bodies and nutritional requirements undergo changes. Dr. Monica Tarantino, a veterinarian and co-founder of the Senior Dog Veterinary Society, notes that these changes occur gradually, highlighting the role of nutrition in supporting senior dogs through their aging process.
To support this initiative, Purina plans to offer additional resources, including nutrition webinars led by board-certified veterinary nutritionists. The goal is to enhance the clinical expertise of veterinary teams and encourage the use of nutrition in promoting healthy aging for pets.
This focus on personalized nutrition mirrors trends in human health, as pet owners become increasingly attentive to the dietary needs of their animals. In related business news, Nestlé recently announced a CHF520 million (US$641.9 million) investment in a new Purina pet food plant in Mantova, Italy, set to begin production in 2029. Earlier this year, Purina also opened a facility in Vargeão, Brazil, aimed at meeting the growing demand in the local and global pet food markets.