Effects of Aging on Canine Cognition

Dr. Jessica Vogelsang takes an in-depth look at how canine cognition changes as dogs age and provides tips to help keep them healthy for many years to come!

I can’t tell you how often I ask pet parents about their senior dog and the response is “okay, but … I guess he’s just getting old.” I love this conversation opener because it tells me two things. One, the pet parent is paying enough attention to know something has changed, even if they don’t think it’s anything to be concerned about. Two, there’s probably something I can do to help!

All living things grow old. The aging process is complicated and messy, encompassing a variety of genetic and environmental factors. Some we can control, others we can slow down, and the remainder we just manage the best we can. The good news is, there’s almost always something we can do to make a companion animal feel better.

When we think about what it means to be old, most of us jump to the most obvious complaint of age … aches and pains. The body stiffens, the joints dry out, the discs in our spines shrivel up, and we end up shuffling around like Carl from the movie Up. Almost all senior dogs develop symptoms of osteoarthritis, which is one of the reasons I recommend joint supplements for seniors. If a pet parent says, “He won’t climb the stairs anymore,” or, “He doesn’t want to go for long walks,” then I know we’re likely dealing with pain.

But what about cognitive dysfunction, the age-related decline in neurologic function? Referred to as “canine cognitive dysfunction” in veterinary medicine, some laypeople call it “doggie Alzheimer’s”. While the symptoms can be similar to what humans experience, it’s not exactly the same thing.

Unfortunately, cognitive decline is quite common in senior dogs. More than half of all dogs over the age of 11 show at least one clinical sign. Since we don’t know for certain all the biological changes that occur in an aging brain, we describe canine cognitive dysfunction as a collection of symptoms:

• Disorientation
• Changes in activity level
• Changes in sleep/wake cycle (e.g., wandering around in the middle of the night)
• House-soiling
• Anxiety
• No longer adhering to an established routine

For many years, we simply accepted this condition as a price for living a long life. However, we’re learning that there are ways we can actually decelerate cognitive decline in dogs.

One way veterinarians manage cognitive dysfunction in dogs is through medications. Certain drugs that increase the amount of the neurotransmitter dopamine may improve brain function. In fact, the same drug used by dogs can also be used to treat Parkinson’s!

The other way we manage cognitive decline is through the nutrition and personal attention we provide our dogs. New and exciting research is showing that certain types of antioxidants and dietary ingredients can positively impact the brain function of senior pets! I love this because these are safe, easy changes we can use to improve the aging process for all our senior friends:

1. Feed a diet rich in antioxidants. Free radicals in the body accelerate the aging process. Antioxidants, such as those found in a variety of fruits and vegetables, can be added to a dog’s diet to limit the free-radical damage. Several studies have shown that seniors who eat a diet rich in antioxidants exhibit clinical improvement in cognitive function within just a few weeks.

2. Exercise the brain. Keep your pet’s neurons working through lots of daily playtime, walks, and puzzles. We joke that the brain is a muscle; it’s not, of course, but like a muscle, it does benefit from regular workouts!

3. Fatty acids. We all know essential fatty acids are good for the skin and coat, but there’s also increasing evidence that a subset of fatty acids called medium chain triglycerides (MCTs) serve as a preferred energy source for the brain and can actually improve mental sharpness.

If your dog is getting a little gray around the muzzle, don’t accept “he’s just getting old” as a fact of life. Yes, we all age, but we can do it better by taking steps to preserve health and quality of life.

All the best to you and your lovable, aging dogs!

For more information on feeding your dogs (and cats!) a healthy, premium line of pet food and treats, please use the Contact Me page or visit www.PremiumPetFoodStore.com!

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Raven is an engaging entrepreneur who encourages others to celebrate pets (and ALL animals) as part of the family, as well as keep them happy, healthy, and spoiled with her Holistic Healing, Animal Intuition, Aromatherapy, Animal Reiki (www.HolisticPetsAndPeeps.com & www.HealingOilsForAnimals.com), as well as her premium pet food business (http://www.PremiumPetFoodStore.com)

For more information, please visit her Facebook page to PM her (https://www.facebook.com/HolisticPetsNPeeps), or email her at HolisticPetsAndPeeps@gmail.com.

Feline Urinary Tract Conditions ~ What Does Diet Have To Do With It?

Problems that affect a cat’s lower urinary system often prevent the bladder from emptying correctly or may even cause fatal blockage of the urethra, the tube connecting the bladder to the outside of the body. The urinary tract includes the kidneys, bladder, ureters, and urethra. 

Infection, trauma, blockage (stones, mucus plugs), inflammation, and other metabolic diseases such as diabetes mellitus are all causes for disorders of the urinary tract. Male cats, because of their longer urethras, are more prone to developing life-threatening blockages when a stone or plug lodges in the narrower end of the urethra near the opening. 

Stress is also an important factor in the development of urinary tract disorders. 

Cats may urinate frequently, usually in small amounts and oftentimes outside the litter box when infection or moderate to severe inflammation is present. Sometimes blood can be seen in the urine. Male cats who sit in the box for long periods of time or vocalize when trying to urinate need to be seen by a veterinarian immediately. 

Very often the culprit is Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD). Once called Feline Urologic Syndrome (FUS), FLUTD is not merely one problem, but a collection of clinical symptoms that may have more than one possible cause. Symptoms of FLUTD include frequent or painful urination, bloody urine and frequent licking of the urinary opening. One key to treating FLUTD is to determine the root cause, which may include bladder stones, urinary tract blockage, infection or cancer. If the cause of these symptoms cannot be determined, the cat is considered to have bladder inflammation (cystitis).


What Can Happen If a Cat's Lower Urinary Tract Problems Go Untreated?


Untreated urinary problems can cause partial or complete obstruction of the urethra, preventing a cat from urinating. This is a medical emergency that can very quickly lead to kidney failure and/or rupture of the bladder and can prove fatal if the obstruction is not relieved right away.

What Does Diet Have To Do With All Of This?!

Switching your cat's food from dry to wet is one of the key factors in preventing urinary tract infections. Cats in the wild obtain most of their moisture through the ingestion of live prey. They were not designed to drink large amounts of water. Also, most commercial dry cat food formulas have a high carbohydrate content which contributes to abnormal metabolic processes in the body. 

A good quality canned food is important to maintain proper urinary tract habits. Now, before some of you start groaning, there are indeed good quality canned foods available to you from a handful of companies! The one I prefer is from a small, employee-owned company that has a holistic veterinarian as their nutritional expert and product formulator for cats AND dogs. 

Cats should also be supplied with fresh, clean, filtered or purified water daily. Tap water often contains chlorine and fluoride which are detrimental to the body and should never be offered to animals.

For more information on a purrfect line of food, treats, and supplements, log onto:

www.PremiumCatFoodStore.com

If you would like more information on holistic therapies to keep your cat happy and healthy, please feel free to send me a message via the 'Contact Me' page!

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Raven is an engaging entrepreneur who encourages others to celebrate pets (and ALL animals) as part of the family, as well as keep them happy, healthy, and spoiled with her Holistic Healing, Animal Intuition, Aromatherapy, Animal Reiki (www.HolisticPetsAndPeeps.com & www.HealingOilsForAnimals.com), as well as her premium pet food business (http://www.PremiumPetFoodStore.com)

For more information, please visit her Facebook page to PM her (https://www.facebook.com/HolisticPetsNPeeps), or email her at HolisticPetsAndPeeps@gmail.com.

Debunking Myths and Misconceptions about Dogs

Remember the old party game “telephone” where a message is passed secretly through a line of people until the last player announces the message to the entire group? If you’ve played the game, you’re well aware that the initial message gets drastically altered as it’s passed on from one person to the next. The same thing can happen with any information ~ including “facts” about pets. As a caring pet parent, it’s important to stay “in the know” regarding the furry companions who reside under your roof. The internet provides a wealth of resources at your fingertips, however, you are not only exposed to helpful tips and advice on how to best care for your companion animals, you’ll also see some misinformation. So let’s take a look at five of the most commonly shared myths about pets and discover why you can’t always trust everything you read when it comes to your four-legged friends.

Myth 1 “A dog is a carnivore. Look at his teeth!”

Truth: There is much confusion out there in the pet world about what is the best diet to feed a dog. Many dog lovers insist on feeding their canine friends a pure meat diet because they think their dog is designed to be a pure carnivore. A better understanding of the definitions associated with the dietary needs of animals is a great place to start in understanding how to best feed your pet and tackle this hotly debated myth.


DEFINITIONS

CARNIVORE: An animal subsisting primarily on animal tissue.

HERBIVORE: An animal subsisting entirely on plant tissue.

OMNIVORE: An animal subsisting on both animal and plant tissue.

Cats and dogs are both members of the taxonomic order Carnivora. The confusing part is not all species of the Carnivora order are actually carnivores.

Cats are true carnivores because they have a higher protein requirement and higher dietary requirements for nutrients that aren’t available from plant sources, such as taurine, arginine, and methionine.

Some Carnivora species, including dogs, coyotes, and bears, are omnivores that thrive on a diet consisting of both plant and animal tissue.

One member of the Carnivora order, the panda, is primarily an herbivore - 99% of a panda’s diet consists of bamboo.

The truth to this myth is dogs belong to the taxonomic order Carnivora, but their behavior, anatomy, and feeding preferences reveal their ability to eat and be healthy on a diet consisting of both plant and animal foods, which classifies them as omnivores from a dietary perspective (Debraekeleer et al. 2010).

Myth 2: “My dog’s nose is dry and warm. He must have a fever.”

Truth: As with most ‘old wives’ tales’, there is some truth rooted in this myth. Back before vaccines, thickened, hard and crusty nose and footpads were sure signs of advanced Distemper virus in a canine. Thanks to widespread vaccination practices, while Distemper still exists, it is far less common today.

The truth is a dog’s nose fluctuates in temperature and moisture throughout the day depending on what he is doing. A dog’s nose is often warm and dry when he wakes up, is moist and cold if he is eating or sniffing, and dry and warm if he is sleeping - all in the same day. And all of these fluctuations are normal. A dog with a fever often displays other signs, such as lethargy, inappetence (which occurs when pets won’t eat or won’t eat as much as they need), coughing, sneezing, vomiting or diarrhea as well as a dry warm nose. However, a nose that is persistently dry and crusted, is bleeding or turning a different color may be a sign of a health problem. If you notice any of these signs, contact your veterinarian right away.

Myth 3: “Dogs are colorblind.”

Truth: Not so, say canine researchers. If, however, what you mean by colorblind is that dogs only see a portion of the visible spectrum compared to what people see, then yes, dogs could be called colorblind.

Dogs have two types of color receptors on the back of their eyes that recognize short and long wavelengths of light, corresponding to blue hues and red-yellow ones. In comparison, humans have three types of color receptors that make it possible for us to see a full range of colors. The colors dogs can see are almost identical to the ones a human who has red-green color blindness would see. Scientists determine this by shining beams of colored light into dogs eyes, analyzing the spectrum of light that is reflected back, and then comparing the spectrum with the pattern produced when the same lights are shined into human eyes. Scientists also study the way dogs respond to different colored lights, and have determined that dogs see in black, white, red-yellow, blue and many shades of gray.

It’s also interesting to note that dogs can see much better in low light than humans, can distinguish moving objects much better than stationary ones, and long-nosed breeds have very wide fields of vision, as much as 270 degrees.

Myth 4: “My dog’s happy. I can tell because his tail is wagging.”

While it is true that when a dog is happy, he will often wag his tail, but a wagging tail can also indicate agitation ~ such as an imminent attack ~ or even aggression. It all depends on two factors ~ the position of the tail and the frequency of the wag. A friendly, approachable, happy dog usually wags his tail ~ generally positioned in the middle of his body - slowly and loosely. If a dog is wagging his tail in a more rapid, twitch-like manner and is about 90 degrees high, it’s best to avoid the animal, as it could be indicating dominance and aggression. Conversely, if a dog’s tail is wagging low between the legs, it is considered a fearful, defensive stance.

Just like in humans, many factors come into play when interpreting a dog’s mood. Be sure to assess all of your pet’s body language, including the position of their ears and head as well as their expression and hackles before approaching him – this way, everyone’s happy.

Myth 5: “A dog ages 7 years for every human year.”

Although it is true that dogs age more rapidly than humans, which makes perfect sense since they are able to reproduce before they even reach one year of age, the rate that they age slows down as the dog ages. Stating that one human year equals seven dog years is an over-simplification of how dogs age. There’s simply no exact formula to determine a dog’s “human” age.

It’s important to note that the size and breed of the dog are the greatest indicators of the rate of aging. Many small breed dogs can live well into their 20s while larger breeds tend to live only 7-10 years ~ despite the fact that large breed puppies reach adulthood slower than their smaller counterparts.

Now that you know the truth, you’re on the path to becoming an even more well-informed pet parent! Share what you’ve learned with your animal-loving friends and help stop the spread of misinformation ~ your animal companions will thank you for it!

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

Raven is an engaging entrepreneur who encourages others to celebrate pets (and ALL animals) as part of the family, as well as keep them happy, healthy, and spoiled with her Holistic Healing, Animal Intuition, Aromatherapy, Animal Reiki (www.HolisticPetsAndPeeps.com & www.HealingOilsForAnimals.com), as well as her premium pet food business (http://www.PremiumPetFoodStore.com)

For more information, please visit her Facebook page to PM her (https://www.facebook.com/HolisticPetsNPeeps), or email her at HolisticPetsAndPeeps@gmail.com.

5 Tips for Getting Your Dog to Eat

We’re used to expecting our canine friends to be hungry all the time so it can be disconcerting when their food is sitting untouched. If your pooch has turned into a picky eater, try the following tips for getting him excited about his food again.

1. Make sure there isn’t anything medically wrong. It’s important to rule out early on that your dog’s lack of appetite isn’t rooted in any physical issues, so if your furry friend is continually turning up his nose at his food, a visit to the vet may be a smart choice. If you notice other strange symptoms in conjunction with a loss of appetite ~ such as fatigue, rashes, or diarrhea ~ go see your vet as soon as possible.

2. Stop feeding table scraps. Sometimes dogs hold out on eating their meals because they’re waiting for something better to come along. Plain old dog food doesn’t seem quite so exciting when you’re getting fed yummy bits of food from your human's plate throughout the day.

3. Turn mealtime into a game. Treat-dispensing toys (we like KONG and puzzle toys) can be great tools for turning mealtime into a fun experience for your picky pooch. Stuff them with natural peanut butter (not the processed kind!), or some yummy Tasty Rewards Training Treats!

4. Switch up your dog’s food. If your dog isn’t eating it could be for as simple a reason as him not liking the taste of his food, or that your current food is loaded with unsavory things, such as wheat or corn (which can cause allergies, or stomach upset), by-products, toxic dyes, and preservatives. We recommend switching over to a natural brand, such as Life's Abundance, which will give your pooch premium nutrition, along with a balanced diet. Shop Life's Abundance Dog.  Dogs have delicate digestive systems though, so be sure the switch is made gradually ~ start by swapping out about a quarter of his old food with the new and build up from there.

5. Change up your dog’s eating environment. It’s possible that your dog isn’t eating because something in his environment is distracting. Maybe you tend to have your dishwasher running during meal times and the noise is scary, or perhaps there’s too much foot traffic, and your dog would prefer peace and quiet. Set up an area where your dog can eat that is comfortable and free from potential distractions.  Your dog will be much happier, and so will you!

For more information on switching your pet's food, please contact us here: www.PremiumPetFoodStore.com

Life's Abundance . . . . Putting a Premium on Pet Health!  ♥

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Raven is an engaging entrepreneur who encourages others to celebrate pets (and ALL animals) as part of the family, as well as keep them happy, healthy, and spoiled with her Holistic Healing, Animal Intuition, Aromatherapy, Animal Reiki (www.HolisticPetsAndPeeps.com & www.HealingOilsForAnimals.com), as well as her premium pet food business (http://www.PremiumPetFoodStore.com)

For more information, please visit her Facebook page to PM her (https://www.facebook.com/HolisticPetsNPeeps), or email her at HolisticPetsAndPeeps@gmail.com.

Debunking Myths and Misconceptions about Dogs

Remember the old party game “telephone” where a message is passed secretly through a line of people until the last player announces the message to the entire group? If you’ve played the game, you’re well aware that the initial message gets drastically altered as it’s passed on from one person to the next. The same thing can happen with any information ~ including “facts” about pets. As a caring pet parent, it’s important to stay “in the know” regarding the furry companions who reside under your roof. The internet provides a wealth of resources at your fingertips, however, you are not only exposed to helpful tips and advice on how to best care for your companion animals, you’ll also see some misinformation. So let’s take a look at five of the most commonly shared myths about pets and discover why you can’t always trust everything you read when it comes to your four-legged friends.

Myth 1 “A dog is a carnivore. Look at his teeth!”

Truth: There is much confusion out there in the pet world about what is the best diet to feed a dog. Many dog lovers insist on feeding their canine friends a pure meat diet because they think their dog is designed to be a pure carnivore. A better understanding of the definitions associated with the dietary needs of animals is a great place to start in understanding how to best feed your pet and tackle this hotly debated myth.


DEFINITIONS

CARNIVORE: An animal subsisting primarily on animal tissue.

HERBIVORE: An animal subsisting entirely on plant tissue.

OMNIVORE: An animal subsisting on both animal and plant tissue.


Cats and dogs are both members of the taxonomic order Carnivora. The confusing part is not all species of the Carnivora order are actually carnivores.

Cats are true carnivores because they have a higher protein requirement and higher dietary requirements for nutrients that aren’t available from plant sources, such as taurine, arginine, and methionine.

Some Carnivora species, including dogs, coyotes, and bears, are omnivores that thrive on a diet consisting of both plant and animal tissue.

One member of the Carnivora order, the panda, is primarily an herbivore - 99% of a panda’s diet consists of bamboo.

The truth to this myth is dogs belong to the taxonomic order Carnivora, but their behavior, anatomy, and feeding preferences reveal their ability to eat and be healthy on a diet consisting of both plant and animal foods, which classifies them as omnivores from a dietary perspective (Debraekeleer et al. 2010).

Myth 2: “My dog’s nose is dry and warm. He must have a fever.”

Truth: As with most ‘old wives’ tales’, there is some truth rooted in this myth. Back before vaccines, thickened, hard and crusty nose and footpads were sure signs of advanced Distemper virus in a canine. Thanks to widespread vaccination practices, while Distemper still exists, it is far less common today.

The truth is a dog’s nose fluctuates in temperature and moisture throughout the day depending on what he is doing. A dog’s nose is often warm and dry when he wakes up, is moist and cold if he is eating or sniffing, and dry and warm if he is sleeping - all in the same day. And all of these fluctuations are normal. A dog with a fever often displays other signs, such as lethargy, inappetence (which occurs when pets won’t eat or won’t eat as much as they need), coughing, sneezing, vomiting or diarrhea as well as a dry warm nose. However, a nose that is persistently dry and crusted is bleeding or turning a different color may be a sign of a health problem. If you notice any of these signs, contact your veterinarian right away.

Myth 3: “Dogs are colorblind.”

Truth: Not so, say canine researchers. If, however, what you mean by colorblind is that dogs only see a portion of the visible spectrum compared to what people see, then yes, dogs could be called colorblind.

Dogs have two types of color receptors on the back of their eyes that recognize short and long wavelengths of light, corresponding to blue hues and red-yellow ones. In comparison, humans have three types of color receptors that make it possible for us to see a full range of colors. The colors dogs can see are almost identical to the ones a human who has red-green color blindness would see. Scientists determine this by shining beams of colored light into dogs eyes, analyzing the spectrum of light that is reflected back, and then comparing the spectrum with the pattern produced when the same lights are shined into human eyes. Scientists also study the way dogs respond to different colored lights, and have determined that dogs see in black, white, red-yellow, blue and many shades of gray.

It’s also interesting to note that dogs can see much better in low light than humans, can distinguish moving objects much better than stationary ones, and long-nosed breeds have very wide fields of vision, as much as 270 degrees.

Myth 4: “My dog’s happy. I can tell because his tail is wagging.”

While it is true that when a dog is happy, he will often wag his tail, but a wagging tail can also indicate agitation – such as an imminent attack - or even aggression. It all depends on two factors – the position of the tail and the frequency of the wag. A friendly, approachable, happy dog usually wags his tail – generally positioned in the middle of his body - slowly and loosely. If a dog is wagging his tail in a more rapid, twitch-like manner and is about 90 degrees high, it’s best to avoid the animal, as it could be indicating dominance and aggression. Conversely, if a dog’s tail is wagging low between the legs, it is considered a fearful, defensive stance.

Just like in humans, many factors come into play when interpreting a dog’s mood. Be sure to assess all of your pet’s body language, including the position of their ears and head as well as their expression and hackles before approaching him – this way, everyone’s happy.

Myth 5: “A dog ages 7 years for every human year.”

Although it is true that dogs age more rapidly than humans, which makes perfect sense since they are able to reproduce before they even reach one year of age, the rate that they age slows down as the dog ages. Stating that one human year equals seven dog years is an over-simplification of how dogs age. There’s simply no exact formula to determine a dog’s “human” age.

It’s important to note that the size and breed of the dog are the greatest indicators of the rate of aging. Many small breed dogs can live well into their 20s while larger breeds tend to live only 7-10 years ~ despite the fact that large breed puppies reach adulthood slower than their smaller counterparts.

Now that you know the truth, you’re on the path to becoming an even more well-informed pet parent! Share what you’ve learned with your animal-loving friends and help stop the spread of misinformation ~ your animal companions will thank you for it!




*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

Raven is an engaging entrepreneur who encourages others to celebrate pets (and ALL animals) as part of the family, as well as keep them happy, healthy, and spoiled with her Holistic Healing, Animal Intuition, Aromatherapy, Animal Reiki (www.HolisticPetsAndPeeps.com), as well as her premium pet food business (http://www.PremiumPetFoodStore.com)



For more information, please visit her Facebook page to PM her (https://www.facebook.com/HolisticPetsNPeeps), or email her at HolisticPetsAndPeeps@gmail.com.

Dog Weight Issues & What You Can Do About It!

Have you noticed that your dog is looking . . . well . . . a little rotund lately? A bit more curvaceous than usual? You’re not alone! Approximately 54% of dogs in the United States are classified as overweight. But just because Fido has lots of company doesn’t mean that he’s in the clear. Extra weight is linked to a variety of health problems, including arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure.

How to Tell if Your Dog is Overweight ~ You know your dog better than anyone ~ so you’ve likely already noticed if he has gained weight over a relatively short period. But extra bulk is a bit more difficult to recognize if he’s been slowly packing on the pounds over the years. Here are two fail-safe ways to determine if Fido is at the correct weight:


Feel his ribs: Run your hands along his sides toward the tail, feeling for his ribs. If you can find them beneath a thin layer of flesh, he is probably at the correct weight. If you can barely feel them under a layer of fat, he is likely overweight.


View him from the top and side: A visual inspection of your dog’s body is also important. Look at his body from above. Does he have an hourglass shape, with a slight narrowing behind the rib cage? Also, view the lines of his body from the side. Does his stomach tuck up behind the rib cage? If the answer to both questions is yes, he’s likely at the correct weight. If his body has no definition from above or from the side, he is probably overweight.



What to do if Your Dog is Overweight:


Take him to the vet: Have a vet examine your dog just to make sure that he isn’t experiencing a health problem. Some conditions, such as thyroid disease and Cushing’s disease, can cause rapid weight gain.


Cut back on meals: It’s quite possible that you’re feeding Fido too much at mealtimes. Often the serving size on commercial dog food labels advises a larger portion than is necessary for an individual dog. Every dog is different, and every dog also metabolizes food differently. With this in mind, start out with the recommended serving size but observe your dog carefully. If he looks like he’s gaining weight, slowly cut back on how much you’re feeding; if he appears to be losing weight, feed slightly more until he’s at the recommended weight for his breed. Then simply maintain the portion size that works for your dog.  You may also want to try feeding a quality, premium Weight Loss Formula for Adult Dogs!


Feed him on a schedule: Dogs who are “free-fed” ~ given access to their food bowls all day ~ are more likely to be overweight than those who eat on a regular schedule. To help keep Fido healthy, schedule his meals at consistent times and take his food bowl away after 10 to 15 minutes.


Provide healthy treats: Supplement correctly portioned meals with healthy, low-calorie treats, such as cut-up veggies, plain popcorn, or other healthy treats. Make sure that you account for the calories in treats when feeding your dog his meals ~ these should be subtracted from his total caloric allowance for the day.  For healthy, natural, never recalled wholesome treats, try Wholesome Hearts Baked Low-Fat Treats for Dogs.


Exercise him: Of course, any diet plan should be accompanied by the proper amount of exercise. Keep your dog active by making sure that he gets a few daily walks and multiple lively play periods ~ but work up to this gradually. An overweight dog won’t be able to sustain this kind of energy level overnight.


Continue to assess your dog’s progress on a monthly basis to be sure that he’s at a healthy weight, and maintain, maintain, maintain when he has reached his goal! A nutritious diet, meals fed on a regular schedule, and exercise will add years to his life. ♥

Learn more and order here:

www.PremiumPetFoodStore.com

The (Not So) Surprising Benefits of Plant Proteins

It's not an exaggeration to say that more people are worrying about their health (especially, their health care) than ever before. Some could argue that all of this increased worry is actually having a negative impact on the health of Americans! While the latest effort by Congress to change our nation's health care system appears to have stalled, it doesn't mean we shouldn't be taking active measures to protect our own health. So, let's try to put aside the worry ~ and the politics ~ and focus on some really exciting science!

Thanks to a long-term study supported by multiple grants from the National Institutes for Health, we could all start doing something today that could have a real, measurable impact on our long-term health. Is it a miracle drug? No! Is it the latest fitness gadget or exercise program? No! In fact, it's simply a minor change in what we eat. That’s it! To understand why the medical profession is abuzz with the radical implications of the latest news, we need to come to terms with one simple, undeniable fact. As Americans, we're eating way too much meat. So much, in fact, that it's making us sick.

Researchers at Harvard's Massachusetts General Hospital recently announced findings of a groundbreaking study, one of the largest of its kind. Nutritional scientists examined the effects of regular consumption of high levels of protein from animal sources compared to vegetarian sources. Much of the animal protein came from processed red meats. And the results were nothing short of astonishing! They indicated that heavy meat eaters had a higher mortality rate. Participants in the study whose diets had a higher percentage of plant-sourced proteins experienced a lower risk of death.

The researchers analyzed two massive sets of data, one encompassing more than 30 years worth of information from NHS participants, and another that captured 26 years worth for HPFS participants. The combined total amount of reviewed data was a whopping 3.5 million person-years. Over the course of the data collection, more than 36,000 participant deaths were recorded. Those who perished fell into three major groups: 9,000 from cardiovascular disease, 13,000 from cancer and about 14,000 from other causes. When adjustments were made for competing risk factors, researchers found that eating protein primarily from animal sources (meat, eggs or dairy) was associated with an increased rate of death. The same adjustments were made for those whose consumption of protein came primarily from plant sources (breads, cereals, beans, legumes, etc.), and the results were highly significant … they uniformly had a lower mortality rate!

The data was unambiguous and clearly supports what vegetarians have been talking about for decades. The full report will appear in the August 1st edition of the Journal of American Medical Association – Internal Medicine (citation provided below).

Fortunately for Life’s Abundance customers, we offer the perfect solution to this widespread dietary problem. It’s never been easier, more convenient or more delicious to boost your plant protein content thanks to our innovative supplement powders, now available in both Chocolate and Vanilla!

References:

Edward Giovannucci et al. Association of Animal and Plant Protein Intake With All-Cause and Cause-Specific Mortality. JAMA Internal Medicine, 2016 DOI: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2016.4182

sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/08/160801113654.htm

msn.com/en-us/health/wellness/50-easy-habits-that-help-you-live-longer-according-to-science/ss-BBByzg6?li=BBnb7Kz

civileats.com/2017/06/29/eating-less-meat-is-a-prescription-for-better-health