Absolutely Fur-bulous!
Mars celebrates 90 years in Pet Care with a Tail-Wagging
Paw-ty for Battersea’s oldest residents
- Forget new tricks, it’s time to celebrate the old ones!
- To mark 90 years in pet care, Mars hosts a golden oldie paw-ty for senior shelter dogs.
- With 1.16 million cats and dogs currently homeless in the UK1, Dr Tammie King, Animal Behaviour Scientist at Mars’ Waltham Petcare Science Institute shares top tips on giving senior pets the VIP treatment they deserve
1st August 2025 [London, UK] – Today, Battersea’s oldest residents were the VIPs (very important pooches) at a heartwarming celebration hosted by Mars marking DOGust – the universal birthday for shelter dogs.
The paw-ty saw spritely Sue, Battersea’s 9-year-old Jack Russell Terrier, mark her special day surrounded by decorations, treats, friends, tail wags, and fellow senior pup Gioia, a 10 year old Maltese, who brought an extra touch of senior sparkle as the two enjoyed the celebrations side by side.
The celebration was a joyful reminder of all the love senior pets can give. Each year, many older pets arrive and stay at UK shelters, often overlooked in favour of puppies and kittens. In fact, a recent Mars Global Pet Parent Study of more than 20,000 people revealed that only 16% of dogs and cats acquired globally are over the age of one.
This year, Mars – the team behind iconic pet food brands like PEDIGREE®, WHISKAS®, SHEBA® and DREAMIES™ - celebrates 90 years in the pet care industry, championing its purpose to make A BETTER WORLD FOR PETS. And what better way to mark the occasion than shining a spotlight on the senior pets who are also enjoying their golden years.
Great things come with age, as highlighted in new research commissioned by Mars that reveals UK adults are most likely to associate senior dogs with loyalty (50%) and a loving nature (41%). Meanwhile, a third believe senior dogs to be gentle (33%) and trusting (32%).
In fact, four fifths (80%) of UK adults who have sadly lost a pet believe that the emotional bond with their pet grew stronger over time, while another 64% believe that their pet understood them better as they aged – with almost half (47%) considering adopting a senior pet.
Speaking about the celebrations, Nick Foster, General Manager for Mars Pet Nutrition UK, Ireland and Nordics said: “For 90 years, we’ve championed the wellbeing of pets, from dogs and cats to horses and even fish! As we reflect on nine decades of wagging tails and nourished bellies, and mark DOGust, it felt only natural to work with our long-term partners at Battersea Dogs and Cats Home. We’re proud to feed all the dogs and cats in Battersea’s care and together, on Mars’ 90th anniversary in pet care, we’re shining a light on our shared mission: helping pets of all ages find their forever homes, and celebrating the joy, companionship and wellbeing they bring to people’s lives.”
With Global data from the Mars State of Pet Homelessness Project revealing that nearly 1 in 3 dogs and cats are homeless, Mars is continuing its works with Battersea, and shelters across the world, to raise awareness and end pet homelessness, for dogs and cats of all ages!
Jay McGuinness, Rehoming and Welfare Manager at Battersea Dogs & Cats Home said: “Senior dogs, despite their age, still have a lot of love and affection to give, and Battersea works to find them suitable homes for their twilight years. That’s why we are delighted to be celebrating Mars 90th anniversary as a pet care company by honouring these golden oldies and raising awareness of just how wonderful older pets can be, and all the love they have to give."
Our partnership with Mars, now in its 17th year, has been instrumental - not only providing the animals in our care with the nutrition and care they need, but also through shared initiatives that help more pets find the loving homes they deserve.”
Dr Tammie King, Animal Behaviour Scientist at Waltham Petcare Science Institute, part of the Petcare business at Mars, added: “Senior pets are often overlooked but make excellent companions. They just need a few adjustments to thrive - tailored nutrition, regular vet check-ups, gentle exercise, and above all, lots of care and understanding. They have so much to give!”
As an expert in pet behaviour and welfare, and Human-Animal Interactions (HAI), Mars’ Dr Tammie King shared her top five tips for helping senior pets thrive – making sure their golden years are the best ones yet!
1. Adapt diets throughout life stages: Growing puppies, fully grown adults and senior dogs all have differing nutritional needs to stay as healthy as possible. In older dogs, research by Waltham found that one of the most common conditions was joint issues (osteoarthritis) so looking for foods high in protein, such as meat or fish, is key in supporting muscle mass.
2. Old dogs can (and should) learn new tricks: Just like humans, as our pets age they can show age-related cognitive impairment – affecting memory, learning ability, perception and awareness. But regular training and games can help keep their minds sharp through frequent memory reinforcement. Just remember to adapt how you reward senior pets, as high-energy games like ball chasing or tough-to-chew treats should be switched out for gentler rewards like pats, grooming opportunities to sniff or favourite toys.
3. Let’s get physical! Exercise is crucial for senior dogs' physical and mental wellbeing. Regular low intensity walks can be a great way to help manage weight, maintain muscle mass, and reduce the risk of behavioural problems associated with boredom. While your senior pup may be a little slower on walks, they’ll still want to sniff and explore so keep things interesting and take them to new places. Be it a new route home, visiting new parks or a car ride further afield, this can support both physical health and cognitive function.
4. Don’t overlook dental care: Older dogs are more prone to dental issues, which can affect how much and how they eat and how they feel. To ensure they continue to eat a healthy and balanced diet, the shape, size and hardness of their kibble should be taken into consideration. Pair this with regular tooth brushing, appropriate dental chews and being cautious of allowing your pet to chew bones, antlers or hard plastics which could fracture teeth and cause damage to gums.
5. Enjoy the little moments! It’s normal for a dog to gradually slow down with age. They may become more cautious, slow down on their walks or just need extra space and patience but they’re still fantastic companions with lots of love to give. Everyday moments we spend with our pets, be it resting and watching TV or daily chats and pats, all generate a stronger bond between pet and owner. Take the time to enjoy their company, celebrate their quirks and appreciate the deep bond that can grow even stronger with age.
Mars 90th anniversary Paw‑ty forms part of the company’s longstanding partnership with Battersea Dogs & Cats Home which is rooted in a shared commitment to improving the lives of pets, spanning initiatives like food donations and supporting nutritional training of staff. More recently, both organisations have been jointly campaigning to have pet provisions included in the Renters Rights Bill, to improve access to pet-friendly housing across the private-rented sector so more people can experience the joy, and benefits pets can bring.
From humble beginnings in 1935 with the acquisition of UK-based Chappell Brothers, the maker of Chappie canned dog food, Mars has grown into one of the world’s most trusted names in pet care. Throughout the 1950s and ’60s, the company expanded its pet offerings with brands such as PEDIGREE®, WHISKAS®, SHEBA® while establishing the pioneering Waltham Petcare Science Institute.
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At Battersea we offer our love and expert care to dogs and cats who need us by rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming animals at our centres, and by sharing our knowledge and resources with other organisations around the world. We do this because we want to help every dog and cat, everywhere.
In 2024 Battersea directly cared for 2,766 dogs and 2,454 cats at our three centres. We also helped thousands more through campaigning work, supporting other rescues and animal welfare advocates, and sharing knowledge and advice with pet owners.
Battersea has three centres based in London; Old Windsor, Berkshire; and Brands Hatch, Kent.
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