How To Prevent "Doggie Alzheimers"

  We ran across this article about understanding and preventing what is commonly known as "Pet Alzheimer's" in the most recent Weekend Edition of USA Today.  It begins with a statement that is dear to our hearts: " If everyone in America had a dog and walked it daily, our brains would benefit-and so would our dogs...regular, moderate exercise turns out to be healthy for our heads as well as our hearts. And the same goes for our dogs."

In pets, the disease is actually called  "Cognitive Dysfunction", and the article lists several symptoms that pet owners can use to identify pending problems, like disorientation and confusion, and changes in the way a pet interacts-a normally outgoing pooch, for example, becoming withdrawn.

And it seems that cognitive decline in dogs is similar to that seen in people, so once again, we're learning from each other. But recent studies show that a combination of physical and mental exercise for both humans and their pets (cats too!) can head off and even prevent the onset of Alzheimer's.

Read the full article here: www.usaweekend.com/article/20110225/HOME05/110224003/Pets-and-Alzheimer-s-More-ways-to-help-your-dog?GID=dlVep2hYgCCyE8dJrbcqjICQo3WBS9ouvjA+FvPutf0%3D

So get the leash and pull out those puzzle toys daily-that's our prescription!

      Here I am working on my Kyjen "Paw Hide" toy, just to get warmed up.

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