You might start spotting senior dogs wearing a rather smart new bow tie – but it’s there for much more than decoration.
Petgevity has teamed up with model and entrepreneur David Gandy to create a limited-edition bow tie designed to signal that the dog wearing it might need a little more space, time and patience while out and about.
The bow tie forms part of Petgevity’s new Old Dogs, New Trips campaign, which aims to help senior dogs continue enjoying adventures as they get older – while encouraging a little more understanding from the people around them.
More than just a bow tie
As dogs age, getting out and about isn’t always as straightforward as it once was.
Petgevity surveyed more than 1,000 owners of dogs aged seven and over and found that around one in five feel judged while out with their senior dog. Almost a quarter also worry that other people think their dog is badly behaved when they may simply be showing signs of ageing.
That’s where the bow tie comes in.
Its distinctive design acts as a simple visual cue to other people that the dog wearing it may need a little extra consideration. That could mean giving them longer to get on and off a train, allowing them more space in a busy environment or being patient if they’re moving a little more slowly.
The hope is that something as simple as making senior dogs more visible could help them keep enjoying the world around them for longer.
David Gandy & Dora
Helping to launch the campaign is David Gandy alongside his nine-year-old rescue terrier, Dora, who has been putting the new accessory to the test herself. Although Dora still acts like a much younger dog, David says he’s conscious of the additional support she may need as she gets older.
Dogs can experience changes to their eyesight, hearing, mobility and ability to process busy environments as they age – and those changes aren’t always immediately obvious to the people around them.
It’s why David hopes seeing the bow ties out and about will encourage people to show the same understanding towards age-related changes in dogs that they would towards people.
The hidden challenges facing senior dogs
There’s a much bigger story behind the campaign than the bow tie itself.
As part of Old Dogs, New Trips, Petgevity has explored what it’s really like getting out and about with an older dog, including why more than a third of owners avoid taking their senior dogs on public transport.
Petgevity vet Dr Emma Chandley also explains how conditions including arthritis, vision loss and canine dementia can affect the way older dogs behave in public – and why behaviour that might look like a dog being difficult could actually be a sign that they’re struggling.
We won’t give away all of their findings here, because the full feature is well worth a read.
Get a free senior dog bow tie
If you have an older dog of your own, they can get involved too.
Petgevity is giving away the limited-edition bow tie and matching collar completely free while stocks last. They’re available in four sizes – XS, S, M and L – for dogs aged seven and over.
Claim your free Old Dogs, New Trips bow tie and collar here.
We love the sentiment behind this one. Dog friendly adventures shouldn’t suddenly stop when our dogs reach their senior years – sometimes they simply need us, and the people around them, to adapt.
If a little bow tie can help someone recognise that the dog in front of them needs an extra few seconds, a bit more room or simply some patience, that’s a pretty good reason to wear one.
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