In this episode of Pet Health Unlocked, Alex Pearson and Dr. Keith Weingart talk about one of the most emotional parts of sharing life with dogs: watching them age. They open the conversation with a message from a customer named Marcia about her 9-year-old dog Louie, who had begun showing signs of sundowner syndrome — staring into space, withdrawing in the evenings, and losing his usual engagement. After starting Canine Cognitive Support, Marcia saw noticeable improvement within two weeks. Louie became happier, more energetic, and interested in play again.
Stories like this are why the work matters. They also highlight how cognitive changes can be especially difficult for households, sometimes even more so than physical limitations.
Listen to the full episode on the Pet Health Unlocked YouTube playlist or our Podcast page.
When Does Geriatric Care Begin?
Dr. Keith explains that while large breeds may show signs of aging earlier than small breeds, a useful general guideline is to begin thinking about more intentional senior support once a dog reaches around eight years old. However, the real foundation for healthy aging starts much earlier — ideally from the very beginning of a dog’s life.
Every choice around diet, lifestyle, stress management, and preventive support shapes how well an animal ages. Chronic stress and inflammation are major drivers of disease over time, so supporting the body early helps reduce the burden later.
Prevention Before Problems Appear
One of the strongest messages in the episode is the value of starting support before symptoms become obvious. Dr. Keith often tells clients to “lubricate before it’s too late.” Once a dog is already limping or stiff, supporting joint health becomes more difficult. Beginning earlier with a fresh whole-food diet, quality omega-3s, and targeted nutrients gives joints and connective tissue better resources to stay resilient.
The same principle applies to other systems. Rather than waiting for cognitive changes or organ stress to appear, thoughtful supplementation can help maintain function over the long term.
Supporting the Aging Brain
Cognitive decline is one of the most heartbreaking aspects of aging for many pet parents. Dogs may pace, vocalize at night, lose house training, or seem confused and anxious. Dr. Keith developed Canine Cognitive Support after years of working with ingredients that support blood flow to the brain, nourish neurons, provide antioxidants that cross the blood-brain barrier, and help balance neurotransmitters.
Many pet parents report meaningful improvements in engagement and nighttime restlessness when using this formula. It can be especially helpful when combined with calming support like Peaceful Pet, since anxiety and cognitive changes often occur together in senior dogs.
Using Supports Together and Rotating Thoughtfully
Canine Cognitive Support and Canine Geriatric Basics can be used together. The geriatric formula provides broad micronutrient and adaptogenic support, while the cognitive formula focuses more specifically on brain health. There is some helpful overlap in ingredients, and the combination often works well.
Dr. Keith also emphasizes that more is not always better. Rather than giving every supplement every day indefinitely, he prefers a more targeted and rotational approach. For his own dog Otis, he rotates between different supports depending on the season and the dog’s needs — using things like medicinal mushrooms, Longevity Complex, liver support, or joint support at different times rather than layering everything at once.
This approach reduces the overall burden on the body while still providing consistent, meaningful support. For chronic needs, he sometimes recommends patterns such as five days on and two days off, or three weeks on and one week off, to give the body periodic breaks.
The Human Side of Caring for Senior Dogs
Alex reflects on the dogs he has loved throughout his life and how deeply their aging affects us. Watching a dog slow down or lose their spark is never easy. The goal of thoughtful senior care is not just to extend life, but to help dogs remain comfortable, engaged, and connected for as long as possible.
Dr. Keith notes that seeing an older dog regain interest in toys and play after support is one of the most rewarding parts of his work. These improvements often benefit the entire household, not just the dog.
Moving Forward with Intention
Supporting an aging dog works best when it is proactive rather than reactive. Good nutrition, attention to gut health, management of inflammation, and targeted supplementation — introduced at the right times and rotated thoughtfully — can make a significant difference in comfort and quality of life.
If your dog is entering their senior years or already showing signs of aging, products such as Canine Cognitive Support, Canine Geriatric Basics, the Longevity Complex, and Peaceful Pet are frequently discussed in this context. You can explore them here on our website.
We encourage you to work with a veterinarian you trust, ideally one open to integrative approaches. If you need help finding resources or have specific questions, feel free to reach out.
Pets are the best.
