In their puppy years, dogs need plenty of stimulation and attention. As they age, it’s even more important to maintain your dog’s cognitive health. Like humans, dogs can experience cognitive decline in their later years, and you might notice they’re more lethargic and less prone to excitement. While all dogs tend to slow down a bit in their senior years, there are ways to prevent cognitive issues—like cognitive dysfunction syndrome—from affecting them. One of the main ones is through their diet.

As dogs age, they tend to slow down both physically and mentally. One solution many pet parents think of for keeping their beloved senior pet healthy and active is to adopt a new puppy. The thought behind this is that the puppy with keep the senior pet on their toes and encourage them to play.

Senior dogs are at risk of developing a range of health problems as they age. Mobility problems are especially common as dogs grow older, whether caused by arthritis, fatigue or a more serious problem like hip dysplasia. But another less-discussed problem that can impact not only mobility but overall wellness is muscular atrophy.

If a senior cat is part of your family, you’ve treated them to a lifetime of love and happiness, particularly around the holidays. However, it can be difficult to determine what the best gift for your senior cat is. Another toy? Their favorite treats, again? This year, consider going outside the box and giving your feline friend the gift of a healthy and agile body.

As we get older, our joints start to deteriorate. Cartilage doesn’t last forever, and as it wears down with age, the stress our bodies deal with goes up. Bad knees become back problems. Worn-out shoulders mean less arm strength. It’s all just part of getting older—for both you and your dog.

Throughout their lives, we expect our dogs to remember a lot of things. They learn the location and layout of our homes, we teach them commands and tricks, and they remember their favorite toys, places, humans and even words! However, because dogs can’t speak, it’s not as easy to know what’s going on in their heads, or if they’re starting to have trouble remembering things.

From a puppy to a senior, your dog will experience a lot of changes, both physically and mentally, throughout their life. Pet owners should not only be aware of these changes, but they should also know how to best care for their pups at each stage of their lives, so they get the nutrition, exercise and stimulation they need.

At the pet store, you may have noticed the range of cat food options, each targeting a specific ailment or stage of your cat’s life. There’s kitten food, which is nutrient-rich to help kitties grow healthy and strong. There’s adult food, which offers a balanced mix of nutrients. There’s even specialized food for cats with food intolerances, allergies, hairballs and urinary tract issues. And then there’s senior cat food—but what does that do?

As cats age, their bodies endure many changes. They start to slow down, sleep more and might experience more stiffness or pain than they used to. Older cats are also more likely to experience age-related declines in vision and hearing, and their brains might not be as quick as before. Experiencing these changes can be difficult for some cats, and they often need a little assistance from their pet parents to age gracefully and comfortably.