Candace Smith Leak (Founder of The Cain & Able Collection) believes that the best way to repay our dogs for their loyalty and companionship is to nurture them. Read extracts from Candace's blog on how to bring out the best in your pet ....

As humans and pets age, nutrition and exercise become more and more important. In addition to feeding your dog a healthy diet and keeping him/her active, here are 5 things you can do to help your aging dog:

1. Keep his/her teeth clean. If plaque is not removed from the teeth, it will eventually break off and be absorbed into the blood stream, which can lead to clogged arteries and accelerate the overall aging process.

2. Bathe regularly with shampoos free from harsh detergents, artificial colors, and synthetic perfumes. It is important to keep your dog clean because the skin of an older dog may lose its elasticity and become thinner, and thus more subject to injury and infection. However, you must be careful not to use products that will exacerbate the aging process. Harsh detergents, synthetic perfumes, and artificial colors can dry out the coat/fur, causing allergic reactions, eye irritations, skin rashes, and hair loss.

3. Brush your dog’s coat every day. As a dog ages, his fur/hair becomes thin and brittle (just like humans). They are also more likely to develop allergies and skin problems because the capacity of the oil-producing sebaceous glands diminishes, which can cause the onset of allergies. Brushing your dog more frequently will help stimulate the production of natural oils, which can keep their hair from becoming more brittle.

4. Give your dog vitamins and/or supplements. Talk to your vet about your dog’s particular issues for recommendations. My dogs, Cain and Able, currently take a daily multi-vitamin and a supplement called Boswella, which is a natural anti-inflammatory made from Frankincense and helps with achy joints.

5. Give your dog lots of love and attention. Since older dogs tend to be less playful, we play with them a lot less often than when they were pups. Older dogs may want attention in a different way than they did when they were pups, but they crave it and need it nonetheless.