Now You Can Teach an Old Dog New Tricks

LONDON, June 1, 2010 - Scientists have identified a range of nutrients which will
boost memory, learning capacity and ability to adapt to new situations among
elderly canine pets. Britain's six million dog owners will be able to benefit
from the anti-ageing compound which claims to improve brain activity in older
dogs.

Researchers have found that dogs over the age of seven suffer
a decline in brain cells because they lose the ability to use energy-boosting
glucose as efficiently as when they were young. This affects their everyday
functioning, leading to small changes in a dog's behaviour, such as becoming
slower and less alert.

Due to advances in veterinary care, nutrition and disease
prevention, dogs are effectively in old age for about half their lives. It
means that like the human population, the number of senior dogs is on the
increase, with an estimated 29 per cent being classed as senior. Dogs
traditionally age at the rate of about seven years for every one human year.

The study, published in the British Journal of Nutrition, was
carried out at Toronto University. Dogs fed a diet containing special dietary
fats found in some natural vegetable oils such as coconut oil, were found to
have improved their memory and learning skills. The special dietary fats are
contained for the first time in a new brand of pet food called Purina Pro
Plan Senior 7+ Original.

Dr Jill Cline, senior research nutritionist at pet food brand
Purina, said: "Cognitive decline is usually a slow and gradual process with
owners not noticing any changes until their dog is about 12 years old. But by
the time your dog has changed in behaviour it may be hard to do anything
about it. Prevention is always better than cure so therefore it's best to
start feeding a senior diet with anti age from around seven years of age."

Veterinary surgeon Barton Stephen, who has practised for more
than 25 years, said the first step to combating old age in dogs is to accept
that a pet is becoming elderly. He said: "Owners often live in denial. They
know their dog is displaying signs of ageing, like unusual behaviour,
sleeping more and becoming slower and less alert, yet they choose to ignore
it. But the fact is, a medium-sized dog like a Labrador at the age of seven
is in his mid-fifties in human terms. The right diet at this stage can have a
dramatic effect and help them stay younger, for longer."

Lauren Dickinson, +44(0)20-7878-3199, lauren.dickinson at mslworldwide.com