PSIX-16 - Observational Canine Aging Study: a diet enriched in antioxidants reduces cognitive and physical decline.

Abstract:

Background: Older pets often exhibit changes in behaviors and/or mental health such as altered sleeping habits, activity level, social orientation, cognitive ability and overall vitality. Nutrition has been shown in animal models to impact senescence progression. However, symptoms associated with aging often are insidious and unobserved. As a result, nutritional adjustments may be delayed or in some cases never implemented as some pets age. This study was conducted to measure observed behavioral responses of aging dogs being fed an investigational food, enriched with antioxidants, fatty acids and an experimental nutrient blend specific for aging dogs. A secondary objective was to determine behaviors dog owners use to infer their aging pet’s quality of life (QoL).

Methods: Two-arm, controlled, multicenter, blinded study was conducted in adult dogs living with varying aging stages. Healthy dogs enrolled were categorized as small (15-25 lbs.) and medium (26-50 lbs.) breeds ≥7 years old, and large (51+ lbs.) breeds were ≥ 5 years old. The dogs were transitioned onto the experimental diet over 28 days and were fed the study food for a minimum of 84 days. Evaluations included physical examination, body weight, triaxial accelerometry, daily and monthly surveys assessing overall aging health, QoL, food, and daily activity with aging questionnaires on days 0, 28, 56, 84. Statistical Analysis: Data from the aging questionnaire was analyzed using a linear mixed-model with Diet, Day, and Diet x Day as fixed-effects. An appropriate variance-covariance structure was selected to model the correlation between the repeated measurements. Single degree-of-freedom estimate statements were used to compare the two diets at each time point, and to compare all test period time points to baseline within each diet. A simulation based multiplicity adjustment was used to control the Type I error rate. Population: A total of 140 dogs were enrolled, with 98 completing the study. Of the 98 completed participants, 76 dogs met completion criteria and were utilized for the statistical analysis. Results/

Discussion: The dogs transitioned smoothly and accepted the test diet well throughout the study. Statistically significant findings from the monthly owner assessments showed an increase (d 28 P=0.0032, d 56 P=0.0081, and d 84 P= 0.0023) in affection from their pets. There was also a perceived increase in stamina (P=0.0032) within 28 days. By day 56 dogs showed an increase in mental ability (P=0.0426).

Conclusion: The investigational study food was well-accepted and efficacious in supporting aging dogs. Notably, observed markers of social orientation, bonding and affection that often decline in aging dogs and those with canine cognitive dysfunction.