DID YOU KNOW?

DOGS AND CATS HAVE DIFFERENT NUTRITIONAL NEEDS AFTER 7 YEARS OLD

Because dogs and cats age more quickly than people do, major health changes can occur much earlier in their lives. A dog or cat can be considered “middle age” when they turn 7, while a senior dog or senior cat age occurs around 11 years old. Many older dogs and cats often develop many of the same age-related issues seen in older people.

Use this slider to find your pet’s “real” age.

1#Age 1: Your pet is the equivalent of a human teenager

2-6#Age 2-6: For every calendar year, your pet ages about 4 human years

7-16#Age 7+: Age-related changes in your pet’s behavior may become more noticeable

Your cat is

in human years

Your dog is

in human years

BECAUSE...

GENE ACTIVITY IN SENIOR DOGS & CATS IS DIFFERENT THAN YOUNGER PETS

At Hill’s, we’ve been studying how nutrition impacts pets’ cell function for over a decade. We learned the ways that a senior dog or senior cat age can be complex, slowing them down both mentally and physically.

Pets’ gene activity changes at 7 years old

Each column in these maps represents a different pet, and each row represents a specific gene to give us a full picture of how their cells change over time.

2-6 YEARS

7-10 YEARS

11-14 YEARS

  • Decreased expression of genes
  • Increased expression of genes

2-6 YEARS

7-14 YEARS

  • Decreased expression of genes
  • Increased expression of genes

AGING IN PETS: HOW ONE SIGN COULD BE THE REASON TO SWITCH

Because these age-related changes can creep up slowly, just like they do with people, you might not realize it at first. Have you noticed any of these signs of aging? If so, it might be time to change to senior dog or cat food, or talk with your vet.

skin and coat health icon

Look

Has your pet’s coat or fur lost its shine?

activity icon

Act

Does your pet appear to have lost their get up and go?

ball and bone icon

Feel

Do you feel your pet is less interested in activities or playing?

BECAUSE...

NEARLY 50% OF SENIOR DOG AND CAT PARENTS DON’T FEED THEIR 7+ PETS THE RIGHT KIND OF FOOD1

Some senior pets, especially small dogs, never really look old - but no matter what they look like on the outside, it’s important to give them proper nutrition that can help fight the effects of aging.

HILL’S SCIENCE DIET SENIOR VITALITY DRY AND WET FOODS WERE DEVELOPED WITH THE CHANGING BIOLOGY OF YOUR 7+ PET IN MIND.

This breakthrough nutrition is made with our proprietary recipe of natural ingredients including fruits, vegetables, fatty acids and antioxidants, plus added vitamins, minerals and amino acids — all working together to fight the effects of aging in older dogs and cats.

Science Diet Senior Vitality Packaging
1TNS Pet Screener Study 2012