Dogs, cats, and other animals suffer many of the symptoms that can make longevity a mixed blessing. Three holistic veterinarians share their recommendations for older family pets.

“Just like their owners,” says Stephen Blake, DVM, of San Diego, California, “most middle-aged dogs and cats have declining energy levels. They often develop arthritis and joint pain, their coats become dingy, or they have skin symptoms. And they may have immune system problems, chronic infections, digestive disorders, or the beginning stages of diabetes, cancer, or other illnesses.”

Dr. Blake blames poor quality grain-based pet foods, unnecessary vaccinations, and the routine use of medications like antibiotics for a host of illnesses. “Obvious symptoms may not develop until middle age,” he explains, “but poor diet, over-vaccination, and the side effects of prescription drugs have a cumulative effect.”

Protein-Rich Pet Foods

To reverse this kind of slow deterioration, Dr. Blake focuses first on diet and digestion. “Dogs and cats are predators,” he reminds us. “Everything in their digestive tract, from their sharp teeth to their high levels of stomach acid and short intestines, is designed for a meat-based diet. Dogs and cats need protein and fat, not carbohydrates. But ‘senior’ diets contain high levels of carbohydrates from grain or starchy vegetables and low levels of fat and protein. No wonder elderly dogs and cats have so many problems.”

In addition to switching to foods that contain few or no carbohydrates, Dr. Blake recommends adding protein to a pet’s food. “You can supplement any commercial food with fresh ingredients,” he says. “Do this gradually, by adding no more than 10 percent of the new food to whatever the animal is used to eating.”

Dr. Blake’s favorite protein supplements are fresh meat or poultry, eggs, and cottage cheese. “These additions are best fed raw,” he says, “but if an elderly animal has trouble with raw meat or eggs, these foods can be very lightly cooked.” If you see any signs of distress or new symptoms develop, reduce the amount of the supplemental food, and wait at least a week or two before adding more. Most dogs and cats, Dr. Blake says, adapt well to a 10 percent change every four to seven days.

Natural Supplements

His preferred supplement for elderly pets is colostrum. “I only recommend colostrum from New Zealand [a country with very strict organic regulations],” Dr. Blake says, “and I give it to all pets to improve digestion, increase strength and lean muscle mass, shorten recovery time from illness or accident, improve skin and coat, and strengthen immunity. It helps clear up infections, abscesses, diarrhea, allergies, and hormonal disorders.” He suggests supplementing pet diets once per day with 480 milligrams (1/3 teaspoon) of dried colostrum per 25 pounds of body weight.

Beverly Cappel, DVM, of Chestnut Ridge, New York, says her favorite supplements for aging pets include:

• Enzyme powders that improve digestion and assimi-lation
• Glucosamine sulfate, chondroitin sulfate, and methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) for arthritis and joint pain
• Essential fatty acids as an overall immune enhancer and for improved coat and joint health
• Coenzyme Q10 for its cardiovascular, mental, and overall benefits
• Probiotics including acidophilus and other beneficial bacteria to counteract the effects of antibiotics, poor diet, environmental toxins, and stress—all of which destroy these important microbes.

Like Dr. Blake, Dr. Cappel advocates a well-balanced home-prepared or home-improved diet, including raw bones for dogs and cats to remove plaque and tartar from their teeth and gums.