Now you can teach an old dog new tricks

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.

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.