The Royal Canin stand at the symposium
Healthier Ageing For Pets Is Proven By Science, Yet Owners Aren’t Aware Of When To Act
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ROYAL CANIN® has unveiled new research at the Vet Symposium 2026 showing that while healthier ageing in pets can be achievable, and even influenced, through earlier intervention, many owners aren’t aware of when to act.
The scientific insights show that ageing is a gradual biological process that begins earlier than most owners expect, reinforcing the importance of timely monitoring, nutrition, and intervention. ¹ However, misconceptions about healthy ageing persist. New consumer research commissioned by Royal Canin shows that over a third (35%) of UK owners surveyed believe nothing can be done about pet ageing, 49% only consider it when health issues arise*, and over one in five (22%) are unaware that conditions such as diabetes can be a risk for ageing pets.**4
‘Pandemic Pets’ Are Reaching Midlife
The findings come at a critical time. A surge in pet ownership during the COVID-19 pandemic means a large cohort of pets is now entering midlife, a stage increasingly recognised as critical for proactive care. As these pets age, the focus of pet owners is shifting from extending lifespan (the total amount of years lived) to improving healthspan, which indicates the amount of years lived in good health and good quality of life, before the onset of age-related diseases or decline.1
Royal Canin Vet Symposium 2026
'Entering the age of tomorrow’ is the central focus of the Royal Canin Vet Symposium 2026, where global experts are exploring how the profession can better support earlier, more proactive care, while also looking to the future of veterinary practice. Guided by the principle that every year matters for healthy ageing, the symposium highlights the critical role veterinary teams play in translating science into action to help keep pets in their prime, while helping veterinarians better understand the expectations of tomorrow’s pet owners and how their practices can adapt to remain effective.
This week, the 2026 Vet Symposium in Montpellier welcomes over 700 participants, including veterinary professionals, journalists and content creators from 80 countries. The event features dedicated sessions focused on different facets of healthy ageing. These include:
Healthy ageing in pets: from lifespan to healthspan
Avoiding frailty: the new science of osteoarthritis care
Leading through change: a human approach to tech and AI adoption
Healthy ageing in practice: Helping keep pets in their prime
Running into the future: the science and spirit of resilience
The sessions are grounded in a growing body of scientific evidence, including the paper “Aging is modifiable: current perspectives on healthy aging in companion dogs and cats” published in JAVMA and awarded the journal’s most discussed article in 2025, and new publications on the nutritional management of osteoarthritis, further reinforcing the role of early, science-led intervention in improving health outcomes.
Dr Tanya Schoeman, Veterinary Specialist Physician and Royal Canin Feline Health Specialist, said: “Science gives us real reason for hope. Healthier ageing is within reach when we act at the right moment. The opportunity before us isn't about closing a knowledge gap within the veterinary profession, but about bringing pet owners into that knowledge earlier, before the signs of ageing make the conversation feel urgent.
“Pet owners recognise that regular veterinary visits are essential to their pet’s long-term health and wellbeing, and when given the right information at the right time, they are ready to act. Veterinarians also recognise the emotional, financial and practical barriers many owners face, making timely, proactive engagement critical to enable earlier intervention, improve long-term outcomes and reduce the risk of more complex issues later in life. Seeing middle age not as a waiting period, but as a window of meaningful possibility, could allow veterinary teams to gently and proactively shape a pet's ageing trajectory for the better. It is a true privilege to explore how we can do this more effectively, alongside some of the world's most dedicated veterinary experts and professionals.”
Silvia Miret-Catalan, Global Research & Development VP, Royal Canin, said: “Nutrition can play an important role in supporting healthy ageing, from influencing puppy and kitten development to supporting heart health and the body’s ability to stay strong and keep working well over time. At Royal Canin, we focus on precise, life-stage tailored nutrition designed to help veterinarians support pets proactively, long before visible signs of ageing appear. By integrating nutrition into early care strategies, we can contribute to help pets maintain vitality and quality of life for longer.”
Fostering Better Conversations with Pet Owners Around Healthy Ageing
More than a third (35%) of UK pet owners surveyed see veterinarians as central to healthy ageing, with regular check-ups ranked as the biggest driver of senior pet wellbeing.1 At the Vet Symposium 2026, Royal Canin will support veterinary teams with tools and guidance to help initiate earlier, more effective conversations with owners and overcome common barriers, encouraging a shift from reactive care to a more proactive, healthspan-focused approach.
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