“I don’t want China to ever leave us,” said my nine-year-old son plaintively the other night, when we were all curled up like kittens in my bed
China was once jet black, you see. But now that he’s reached the decidedly respectable age of 16, the soft fur beneath his chin is flecked with grey, his velvety haunches are slightly bowed, and his ears are a little ragged at the edges. For my children, China’s advancing years are a concern that hovers gently at the edges of our happy, single-parent family of four: mum, two kids, and our beloved cat
What if, I mused later, I could soften my son’s worry – or even buy us more time with such a beloved and integral member of our household? That was when I realised I just might be able to, thanks to one key modern movement: bio-hacking
We already use a plethora of tips, trackers, and devices to keep our own health in check. I don wearable tech when I go running, and I even persuaded our entire household to convert to a pescatarian diet 18 months ago (no mean feat when you have a child who previously only ate turkey dinosaurs). It worked – I feel healthier and fitter than ever in my forties, the happy result of treating my body with one ultimate goal in mind: to do whatever I can to extend my “one wild and precious life,” as the poet Mary Oliver put it so beautifully.
So, why not do the same for China? Why not use data and nutritional science to kit him out for life-prolonging results?
The good news is, as soon as I started looking into it, I realised I could optimize his longevity in three key areas that China enjoys immensely: nutrition, lifestyle, and data tracking
Boosting senior longevity from the inside out
First up was the most important one ( who shows he’s hungry by batting our legs to tell us to get a move on): his diet. I quickly learned that just like the protein-rich fish and vegetables that revitalised my human family, switching China to a scientifically optimised, high-quality nutritional diet would help support the health and wellbeing of my aging pet
And this was the easiest thing of all to change. I switched him to Purina PRO PLAN’s age-appropriate, balanced PRO PLAN Senior 7+ Longevis dry cat food, which is readily available from pet specialist stores, vets and online. It features a LONGEVIS® blend that helps improve and extend the healthy lifespan of senior cats
That was the “complicated” bit dealt with – except, thanks to Purina PRO PLAN, it wasn’t complicated at all
I also read up on microbiome optimisation. I take a probiotic capsule every single morning to support my own digestion, so it struck me: why wouldn’t I do the exact same thing for my pet? After all, scientists often call the gut the body’s “second brain” because it plays such a massive role in overall wellbeing
To support China’s gut barrier health, I’ve started adding a daily sachet of Purina PRO PLAN FortiFlora probiotic supplement to his meals. I think it’s been a game-changer for our senior cat. Whenever China experiences an upset stomach, I sprinkle a little on his food and it helps support his upset tummy. It’s become a cupboard essential! It contains beneficial bacteria that help promote a healthy and resilient gut microbiome and actively support his immune health from the inside out. It’s easy to add to his meals too – I just sprinkle one sachet on his food and he eats it up, no fuss.
Advice from the vet
Expert overview from veterinary expert Cat Henstridge, AKA @cat_the_vet
Modern science-based pet nutrition allows us to ensure our animals thrive today while pro-actively supporting their future wellness. Borrowed from human medicine, the concept of increasing health-span – the time spent healthy and free from chronic disease, not just life-span – is gaining traction in pet care, backed by excellent evidence-based interventions
Central to this approach is the gut microbiome. Far from being confined to digestion, a balanced microbial ecosystem influences nutrient absorption, immune function, metabolic health, and even emotional well-being through the gut-brain axis. Optimising this system is one of the most effective ways to support your pet throughout their life
My advice as a veterinary surgeon is to always feed a complete and balanced diet from a company focused on nutritional research. Additionally, consider proactively adding a scientifically proven probiotic, like Purina PRO PLAN FortiFlora, to their daily routine to maintain efficient digestion, support a healthy gut microbiome, and enhance immune function
Next came his lifestyle and home environment. I bought an automatic, motion-sensor water dispenser to ensure China always has clean, filtered water to limit his exposure to toxins. Then, I threw away all his cute (but old and scratched) blue plastic bowls. Scratched plastic can harbor harmful bacteria and raise worries about microplastics, so I exchanged them for clean, safe stainless steel. To treat us like the united, equal family we are, I even threw out our “human” black plastic kitchen spatulas and replaced them with soft silicone.
Tracking the stats of a four-legged family member
Finally, I turned to data tracking. I already use a GPS tracking app for my children, so I simply added the fourth member of our family to the account and attached a lightweight pet tracker to China’s breakaway collar*
The kids are hooked. Not only do we know where China is off having adventures, but the tracker alerts us when he comes and goes, giving us total peace of mind. It’s so easy that I’m currently considering the next step: a smart health collar to collect his resting heart rate, breathing rate, and pulse data
As humans, we take it for granted that we can use wearable devices to ensure we are the healthiest and safest we can be. Why wouldn’t we do the exact same thing for our pets? China might not live forever, but we can certainly make sure we have a long, happy time with him yet
Ready to optimise your pet’s health from the inside out? CombinePurina PRO PLAN Longevis 7+ Senior Dry Cat FoodwithPurina PRO PLAN FortiFloraand discover how it can support their immune system and gut health today
*If your cat wears a collar, ensure it has a breakaway safety catch to prevent it getting caught. Talk to your vet about GPS or health trackers for your pet
