Some cats and dogs live beyond the age of 20. Most don’t. It’s heartbreaking to see our companions struggle with health problems. And it’s not just about genetics either. Despite our efforts, issues like obesity, poor diet, improper exercise, mental stagnation, medical procedures, and exposure to household toxins can take them out prematurely. What if your pet could take that other route? In this post, we’re diving deep into biohacking dogs, cats, and general pet’s health to reverse the damage and rejuvenate them.
Giving you more golden years to enjoy your companion’s:
- Unconditional love
- Laughter
- Motivation to exercise
- Stress relief
- Social interactions
- Routine
- Security
That’s what we’re doing today.
I’ll introduce you to simple tweaks that quickly increase their energy and vitality. And powerful anti-aging therapies like Brown’s Gas, peptides, and amazing supplements that may lengthen their healthspan. So that you get to enjoy each other, for longer.
What Causes Pets to Get Sick & Pass Away Early
Modern medicine has enabled domesticated pets to live much longer. Yet compared to their wild counterparts, domesticated pets suffer from long-term, chronic conditions that severely degrade their quality of life.
You and your pet can have the best of both worlds.
Creating true health has two key components:
- Understanding and removing impediments
- Adding certain beneficial things
These two principles apply to all life.
To restore pet health, first, we must remove (or at least minimize) each of the harms.
Every pet species has biological differences. Yet certain universal things harm both humans and animals alike. These include:
Obesity:
Just like humans, domestic pets have greater access to food and move less, leading to all the (countless) health complications of weight gain.
Poor Diet:
Conventional pet foods keep them alive, but rarely provide absorbable versions of all the nutrients they require to thrive.
Exercise Imbalance:
Most pets don’t move enough and suffer the metabolic consequences, while others will exercise until their paws bleed and get overuse injuries.
Genetics:
Selective breeding (overbreeding and inbreeding) can cause lifespan-shortening genetic issues.
Mental Stagnation:
Confining animals indoors leads to boredom, stress, cognitive decline, and other mental health issues.
Preventive Care:
While counterintuitive, sometimes over-medication or performing unnecessary medical procedures can disrupt hormones, worsen imbalances, and actually harm pets.
Household Toxin Exposure:
Pets often get exposed to various toxins in the home (cleaning products, certain foods, plants, secondhand smoke, etc.). Unlike humans, however, other species have less robust detoxification systems, causing more damage.
Stress:
Frequent large changes to the living environment cause stress and eventual health problems. This includes moving homes, changes in family structure, or the introduction of new pets.
Accidents:
Man-made dangers such as traffic, getting trapped, or consuming something harmful increasingly threaten the health and longevity of pets.
Dental Care:
Oral care is one of the overlooked frontiers of full-body health in both humans and other animals. Regular brushing and professional cleanings help prevent dental diseases that can have systemic effects.
Social Isolation:
Just like humans, pets require regular time around other life to thrive (humans and animals).
Most of the above relate to unnatural changes that insulate the pets from their healthy natural environments.
Yet these are just a few of the potential health challenges.
Luckily, we have all kinds of tools and pet biohacks at our disposal.
Optimal Pet’s Health #1: Nutrition
As with anything alive, pet nutrition dramatically impacts their health and longevity.
Yet for some reason, likely price, many owners choose synthetic pet chow.
Usually, these highly processed products do not match the biological requirements animals need for optimal health and to thrive. Commercial pet foods just barely keep them alive.
Of course, every species has its unique list of “superfoods”, and toxic “kryptonite” foods.
Today, we’ll focus on the two most common pets:
- Cats
- Dogs
If you have a different pet, you can find thorough guides specific to their ideal diet.
Dogs
Dogs are natural omnivores. They can eat a mixture of meats and plants. Although, generally a higher proportion of meat than plants.
Here’s what the natural diet of a dog might include:
- Meats: A staple of a dog’s ideal diet. They eat a variety of proteins like chicken, beef, turkey, and fish.
- Fish: Salmon, sardines, and other fish are a decent source of protein, and rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which benefit their skin and coat health.
- Organs: Dogs naturally consume organ meats like liver, heart, and kidneys. Organs are nutrient-dense and extremely beneficial for their overall health. Since they’re quite high in certain nutrients, it’s best to mix organs into other cuts of meat.
- Bones: Dogs chew on bones, which provide them with calcium and help maintain dental health. Avoid cooked bones which can splinter and pose a choking risk.
- Fruits/veggies: Wild dogs often consume these plants indirectly, from the stomach contents of their prey. Fruits include apples, bananas, and berries. Vegetables include carrots, peas, and sweet potatoes. All in moderation.
- Eggs: Dogs like eggs. They’re a good source of protein, riboflavin, and selenium.
Dogs do not naturally eat wheat or grains.
When buying packaged dog food, always check the ingredients section on the back to make sure that the primary ingredients are not grains.
Also, be sure to avoid the long list of foods that are toxic to dogs, including chocolate, coffee, alcohol, xylitol, grapes and raisins, onions and garlic, avocados, macadamia nuts, foods extremely high in fat or salt, certain fruits with pits (like peaches and plums)
Circadian biology applies to dogs too, so they should eat at regular times of the day, consistently.
Cats
Unlike dogs, cats are obligate carnivores. They require a meat-rich diet. In fact, they should eat almost exclusively animal-based.
Here’s what the natural diet of a cat might include:
- Meats: The most critical part of a cat’s diet. It includes meats that we eat like chicken, turkey, rabbit, and fish. Also, small mammals (mice, rats, rabbits), other birds, and even some small reptiles (lizards and snakes).
- Organs: Organ meats like liver, heart, stomach, intestines, and kidneys are also part of a cat’s natural diet. They provide essential nutrients that cats can’t get from muscle meat alone.
- Fish: While fish shouldn’t make up the majority of a cat’s diet (due to concerns about thiamine deficiency and mercury exposure), it’s okay in moderation.
- Insects: In the wild, cats sometimes consume insects for additional protein.
- Bones: Small, raw bones are a part of the natural diet of cats. Bones provide calcium, and phosphorus, and help maintain dental health. Avoid, cooked bones as they can splinter and pose a risk.
Cats occasionally consume small amounts of plants or grass, either as digestive aids or if they need to induce vomiting.
Just like with dogs, carefully examine the ingredients within commercial cat food. If you see vegetables or grains as a primary ingredient on the back label, avoid the product.
Some foods toxic to cats include chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, garlic, alcohol, caffeine, dairy products, raw dough, xylitol, and avocado.
As with all life, feed your cat at regular times of the day, consistently. This helps their circadian biology.
Optimal Pet’s Health #2: “Biohacks” & Therapeutics
After you’ve given your pet a steady supply of all the right nutrients, we can go on to other fundamentals. Then, the fancy pet biohacks.
I wrote these from the perspective of dogs, but many of the items apply (almost) universally.
We’ll begin with the simple things that you probably already know, and then move on to the top tools, technologies, and therapeutics you can research to improve the health and longevity of your pet.
Sleep Environment
Just like humans, pets need quality sleep for optimal health. Virtually all bodily repair and cellular regeneration occur during sleep.
Pets will not complain about having a sub-optimal sleeping environment. You can easily do the basics though.
Provide them with a quiet, comfortable place to rest and sleep. Let them choose their sleep schedule (barring it doesn’t destroy your own routines). As with humans, pets that sleep well have better cognitive function, immune health, and stable energy levels. Plus, it helps stave off degenerative conditions.
Bonus points for giving them a special sleeping environment outfitted with some of the other technologies listed below.
Optimal Exercise
Regular physical activity helps pets maintain a healthy weight, build cardiovascular fitness, and joint mobility, and stimulates them mentally. You can also build social interactions with other pets or humans during your walks or playdates. It strengthens the bond between you and your pet while promoting a longer, happier life.
On the other hand, overexercising is just as detrimental. Intense or prolonged exercise beyond your pet’s capabilities can lead to injuries, joint problems, exhaustion, kidney failure, or even heat stroke. If your pet limps or shows signs of injury or exhaustion, stop.
Their ideal activity levels depend on factors like age, breed, size, and overall health.
Brown’s Gas
Hydrogen, the star component within Brown’s Gas, is a powerful antioxidant. It neutralizes free radical molecules that cause cellular damage and contribute to various health issues/diseases.
By reducing oxidative stress caused by free radicals, Brown’s Gas helps protect your pet’s cells from damage.
Plus, Brown’s Gas has anti-inflammatory effects. Inflammation plays a role in many diseases and can lead to discomfort and reduced quality of life. By addressing inflammation, it can alleviate symptoms of conditions like arthritis or allergies. Allowing your pet to move more comfortably and enjoy a better quality of life.
Brown’s Gas potentially enhances cell signaling pathways, promoting healthy gene expression and supporting vital biological processes within the body. This can improve your pet’s immune function, DNA repair mechanisms, and cellular energy production.
Adding hydrogen-rich water to their life isn’t too complex either. Use a good Brown’s Gas water generator, and most pets will intuitively choose this water over other options. Putting this into their daily routine can make a huge difference in slowing down age-related problems and enhancing overall vitality. Plus, humans do great with BG too (I use my generator daily).
