The musculoskeletal system is made up of the bones, muscles, joints, and connective tissues such as tendons and ligaments. Deterioration of the musculoskeletal system with age is inexorable, meaning older pets tend to become more reluctant to move and exercise. However, a high-quality diet with a high-protein content can be extremely beneficial and keep the joints and muscles as healthy as possible. One of the most common condition of this system, Osteoarthiritis, affects 20% of adult dogs over the age of 1, and can cause significant pain to your pet, so choosing a diet carefully is crucial. The diet’s formulation, and especially the protein content, can make a huge difference to your pet’s quality of life, via 3 main modes of action.

• Maintaining bodyweight

Bodyweight and musculoskeletal health are closely related; any issue affecting one will exacerbate problems for both. Becoming overweight will increase the pressure on joints, leading to discomfort. Sore joints and low muscle mass will make your pet reluctant to exercise, and therefore more prone to obesity, so the process is self-aggravating.

A high-protein low-carbohydrate formulation is known to be highly effective in controlling bodyweight, providing the amount fed is adapted to the pet. Indeed, proteins naturally induce satiety, meaning the pet’s appetite will be better regulated. Also, the body ‘uses’ more energy to metabolise protein compared to carbohydrates, again naturally helping with bodyweight control. Furthermore, a high-protein formula stimulates the development of lean mass, as opposed to fat mass, so less energy will be able to be stored.

• Preserving muscle mass

Muscle mass naturally diminishes with age, which in time adds more pressure on joints and affects the pet’s mobility. A high-protein formulation will partly offset this by providing the amino acids necessary to muscle structure, and compensating the muscle wastage linked to age. The formulation of adult and senior diets is therefore really important – low protein content could lead to a serious deficit. It’s not only the amount that matters however, the quality of the protein is also essential. Animal protein is naturally closer to the pet carnivores’ needs and contains adapted amino acids, and therefore should make up most of the overall intake.

• Helping with the level of activity

Owners of working dogs are well aware that a good quality diet rich in protein can have a significant impact on performance. Even though the average pet might not have similar needs, the principle is the same: high quality high protein content will provide the necessary energy to allow the pet to exercise and play and reduce the likelihood of putting on weight. Furthermore, the protein quality is also very important because of the amino-acids such as lysine, which can contribute to anaemia when in deficit (and therefore leading to poorer performance). 

What about VETERINARY HPM®?

All VETERINARY HPM® lifestage and clinical diets are based on a high-protein low-carbohydrate formulation that helps dogs and cats to achieve and maintain their optimal healthy weight and ideal body composition through a variety of physiological methods. This can be particularly important for those pets more predisposed to weight gain, such as those that have been neutered, with a sedentary lifestyle or breeds prone to increased body fat.

For clinically overweight pets, the VETERINARY HPM® weight loss diets will get your pet back in shape for a better quality of life – speak to your vet or vet nurse for an adapted weight loss programme.