New year, new diet. This applies to our animal companions too, who are increasingly sharing life with our families. As with us, our four-legged friends' health and wellbeing are also the product of a healthy diet.

"An elixir of long life has yet to be invented – explains Dr Barbara Tonini, veterinary nutritionist – but advances in nutritional science are leading us towards a fundamental discovery: we can live longer and better thanks to the right diet and the 'anti-ageing' role of certain 'superfoods'." Let's look together at the nutritional strategies for keeping our dogs and cats young.

Anti-ageing diet: rich, nutritious and tailored to each individual

Every dietary plan for our animal companions must be carefully adjusted to the specific needs of their organism and, why not, to the equally important needs of their palate. "It is not possible to speak of a standard nutritional management approach – Dr Tonini continues – and it is essential to know first of all that an animal's biological age, exactly as with us, does not always correspond to its chronological age, and senior and geriatric dogs and cats do not always share the same problems. Therefore, although we try to define nutritional requirements on the basis of age, it is worth remembering that this classification may not reflect the real needs of our four-legged friend."

That said, there are a number of points to bear in mind. First of all, it is important to take into account the animal's "physical condition", because that is where prevention begins. "Good nutritional status – adds Tonini – limits the onset of numerous diseases, and so establishing whether your companion is overweight or underweight is the first step towards a long, healthy life. Being overweight is certainly the most common nutritional disorder, especially in senior animals (7–10 years old), and despite the dramatic medical consequences — such as diabetes, liver disease, osteoarthritis and tumours — being well known by now, it is on a constant rise. So, today more than ever, we reaffirm that it is never too late to start, and if past results have been unsatisfactory, remember that you can seek guidance from a professional who will support you on a path that is entirely achievable."

The protein value of food

Another aspect to bear in mind is the protein value of the foods that make up the daily diet. The expert explains: "We must debunk the myth that elderly dogs and cats need a diet low in protein or with a reduced protein content in order to limit the burden on the kidneys and liver. Amino acids, the 'building blocks' that make up proteins, are in fact essential not only for muscle mass but also for the immune system and metabolic profile."

In this respect, it is therefore logical to expect that a protein deficiency could have more serious consequences in an animal that is no longer young and is potentially predisposed to both muscle atrophy and a reduced ability to fight disease. While it is true that protein intake should not be scrimped on, it is also very important to preserve renal and hepatic function by providing proteins with a high biological value that are rich in essential amino acids (those that the body cannot produce on its own), which are found in products of animal origin such as meat, fish and eggs.

Fish, especially those with a high content of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin B12 (anchovies, sardines, sardines, cod), should ideally be consumed at least two or three times a week to counter chronic inflammation.

Healthy foods for good digestion and combating ageing

The gastrointestinal tract undergoes changes as age advances, and these affect not only the ability to absorb various nutrients but also the intestinal microbial population, known as the microbiota. Indeed, as the years pass, the capacity to maintain "good" bacteria diminishes, and inflammation and bacterial imbalances emerge that can be the precursor to numerous conditions.

It is therefore extremely important to supplement with soluble fibre (inulin, pectins, psyllium) and prebiotics (FOS, MOS), which, as well as regulating intestinal motility, promote the maintenance of an efficient microbiota, and control the digestion and metabolism of nutrients, particularly glycaemic fluctuations.

"Very useful, therefore – adds Dr Tonini – is the supplementation of soluble fibre (inulin, pectins, psyllium) and prebiotics (FOS, MOS), which, as well as regulating intestinal motility, promote the maintenance of an efficient microbiota, and control the digestion and metabolism of nutrients, particularly glycaemic fluctuations."

Another important aspect of a perfect anti-ageing diet is oxidative stress, which plays a leading role in the ageing process. "It is nothing new – Barbara Tonini clarifies – that the mechanisms leading to the development of this condition are secondary both to an increase in the rate at which free radicals are produced and to a decline in antioxidant defence systems and a reduced efficiency in repairing damaged molecules."

Foods that combat free radicals

To help our four-legged friend, it is very important both to avoid the substances that most readily induce the formation of free radicals (for example spoiled foods, diets rich in fat and poor in antioxidants, excessive physical stress, toxic pollutants) and to supplement the diet with molecules that have an antioxidant effect.

What are the main natural antioxidant substances

• Plant pigments: polyphenols or bioflavonoids (green leafy vegetables, beetroot, berries)
• Vitamins: E, A and C (sunflower seeds, almonds, apricots, oranges, kiwi, cabbages)
• Minerals and enzymes: selenium, zinc, glutathione and coenzyme Q10 (broccoli, wholegrains, eggs, sardines, turmeric, apples, pumpkin)

These molecules, in addition to acting individually, can have an excellent synergistic effect, so combined administration can enhance their action (such as selenium + vitamins E and C). Dr Tonini concludes: "It is always worth remembering that to ensure a sufficient daily intake of antioxidants, supplements alone are not enough — a balanced diet and a daily consumption of fresh, seasonal fruit and vegetables is advisable."

The importance of a varied diet made up, as much as possible, of fresh foods therefore becomes fundamental even for a perfect anti-ageing diet for our four-legged friends. And nature, at this point, becomes an attentive and responsive teacher in helping our dogs and cats to live happily for a long time.