Nutrition Key Role In Cognitive Health of Dogs #WholeBodyHealth

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Nutrition Plays Key Role In Cognitive Health of Dogs

A few weeks ago we wrote the post Healthy Dogs from the Inside Out discussing the role of Nutrition in keeping your dog healthy. Today I want to focus on helping your dog stay healthy as they age especially in regards to the health of their brain. With two dogs that are considered Seniors by the vet keeping Davinia and Indiana healthy is really important to me. I want to know that I am doing everything possible to help keep them from showing signs of decline as they age. Genetically speaking they should be around for a long time their grandma was 16 and their moms are now well up there in age as well considering Davinia is 10 and Indiana is 9. I got to meet their grandma she was a regal old lady by that time and you could tell she was the queen of the family. She sat quietly and watched as the younger dogs and baby puppies played in the garden.

Indiana and Davinia's grandma on the chair and their moms on the rock.

Indiana and Davinia’s grandma on the chair and their moms on the rock.

The truth is when I look at Davinia and Indiana I don’t see old lady dogs and when people meet them even if they know in their heads that Davinia and Indiana are not puppies everyone always comments that they look like puppies. There is so much information out there and so many options when it comes to keeping their little joints and muscles healthy but what about their Congitive Health? What can I do or what should I be doing to keep their brain active and engaged for the years we still have left?

Nutrition Plays Key Role In Cognitive Health of Dogs

What is Brain Food for dogs?

A diet rich in DHA and EPA from marine sources! For many years Scientists and Veterinarians believed that DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) where important only to pregnant dogs and very young puppies. They believed that DHA and EPA helped in the formation of the puppy’s brain and cognitive health in terms of train-ability . In September 2012 an article was published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association looked into whether or not foods containing high levels of DHA improved puppies’ “cognitive health, memory, motor, immunologic, and retinal function” when fed after weaning. The results gave pause to the entire Veterinary and Nutrition Industry and made them pay more attention to the role Nutrition plays in Cognitive Health for all life stages of dogs.

 

What are some other factors when it comes to the cognitive health of your dog?

  • There are many causes of mental decline all of which can lead to an un-stimulated mind and diminished cognitive functions.
  • Genetics
  • Loss of long time animal companions
  • Children growing up graduating high school and moving away to college
  • Loss of ongoing human-animal engagement

 

What should I be doing to help my dog’s cognitive health?

  • Obedience and Socialization Classes are not just for puppies! As our dog’s age we tend not to put as much emphasis on teaching them new things or doing regular refreshers for their obedience training because they don’t try to bolt when the front door is open or jump on the counter to grab the salmon you just made for dinner. Keeping your aging dog’s mind engaged as long as possible will help keep their cognitive functions high. – Indiana might like to go back to school but Davinia was never a big fan of being around all those other dogs.
  • Food and Treat Puzzles are great for when you have to be out of the house all day for work. – This I can do Davinia will work the puzzle mostly the right way to get the food. Indiana on the other hand bangs it with her paws until the food comes out which I guess is still making her work for the food.
  • Setting up an obstacle course with tunnels and things to jump over and different things that your dog has to walk over (rocks, plastic, leaves, a piece of metal all of these feel different under your dog’s paw and the engagement with them will help keep your dog’s brain healthy). – This is something I have been thinking about a lot lately. Davinia loves to walk on the “balance beam” and she used to love jumping over small obstacles. When we are out walking I encourage them to walk on all sorts of surfaces.
  • Many veterinary behaviorists recommend other animal companions to provide ongoing mental and emotional stimulation and healthy competition. A puppy may be the best way to keep an older pet young at heart. – A new puppy? That is one thought that is never far from my mind. I worry though that a young puppy might be too much for Davinia to mother. Then again Davinia has been mothering all of the foster kittens we have had so maybe that would be ok. Indiana is another story she gets jealous anytime another animal is the baby in the house. She doesn’t perceive big dogs as babies just small ones like her. Something to give more thought to at least.

 

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Original Ultra Whole Body Health formulas nourish your dog’s complete well-­‐being and supports the need of your pet through all life stages.

Supports Neural Development: Formulated with optimal levels of DHA EPA from marine sources to support an active, healthy brain
Supports Healthy Skin & Coat: Balanced Omega-­‐6 and Omega-­‐3 ratios support healthy skin and a luxurious coat.
Digestive Support: Using multiple types of fibers – fruits & grains – our unique fiber layering system helps maintain healthy digestion
Healthy Muscle Development: Quality proteins to help support healthy muscle, important at any age
Antioxidant Nutrients: Our proprietary blend of an3oxidant nutrients helps maintain a healthy immune system
Strong & Healthy Bones and Teeth: Proper levels of calcium and phosphorus maintain strong bones for all that fetching and playing
Helps Maintain Healthy Heart & Eyes: Added taurine for healthy heart and eye function

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Comments

  1. Robin (Masshole Mommy) says

    Good nutrition is important for our fur babies. Thanks for the reminder.

  2. It makes sense that EHA is good for dogs as they are so important for our own cognitive health.

  3. I did not know about DHA EHA health benefits for proper dog nutrition. Thanks so much for educating me on this.
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  4. I knew that DHA and EPA were great for dogs’ skin and joints. I didn’t know that it was good for their brains. It makes sense, though. If it’s good for our brains, why wouldn’t it be good for theirs?
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  5. I’ve never really thought about brain food and what really goes into the food I am feeding my dogs. I have always seen it as food – just that. You’ve really made me think about this!!
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  6. We always buy the best for our boys. A balanced dog food is very important to a long life spand.
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  7. I already give my dogs fish oil supplements for their skin and joints. I didn’t know I was helping their brains as well. That’s really cool!
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  8. I have heard how important these supplements are for babies. I had no idea dogs needed them too!
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  9. I did know that DHA were important for people but didn’t think about it for dogs. Thanks for this info!
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  10. What pretty dogs. Sounds like great foods to keep dogs healthy.
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  11. This is some amazing information. I had no idea that brain health was a thing in dogs. Thanks for sharing this!
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  12. I didn’t know that DHA and EPA were important for dogs. IT’s nice that Original Ultra takes it all into account.
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  13. I never really thought about keeping my dog’s brain active and engaged. I suppose it makes sense, though. Food for thought!
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  14. I had no idea DHA and EPA were important for dogs!! Makes sense to keep the dog’s brain active though. Great information!
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  15. I’m guilty of not paying as much attention to my dog’s food as I should. Thanks for the kick in the pants!

  16. You’ve got a lot of useful information here. I never really thought about my pets’ cognitive health.
    Janel (A Mom’s Take) recently posted..Your Baby’s First Christmas #BRUChristmasMy Profile

  17. It’s great that they’ve since realized pet food needs to nurture brain health. This is great information.
    Liz Mays recently posted..Gluten Free Blueberry Coffeecake with Blueberry CompoteMy Profile

  18. We always try our best to keep our fur babies health in great condition. Thanks for this very valuable and helpful info!
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  19. I have two small dogs. Nutrition is very important to any pet. I have to be carefull with what food i get because my one dog has allergies.

  20. This was really eye opening. It seems over the past few years we’ve learned so much in this area.
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