Taking care of your fur child’s physical health is a very important part of being a pet parent, but staying on top of their cognitive wellbeing is just as essential. 

If you're looking for easy ways to keep your furry friend’s mind sharp and ward off brain disorders, I’m glad you’ve found us! Here are some of the most natural, veterinarian-recommended ways to improve your pet’s cognitive health. 

What is Cognitive Health and Why Is It Important?

Cognitive health is a critical aspect of the brain’s overall fitness. It encompasses the ability to think clearly, recall memories, and learn new things. 

If your cognitive health declines and your brain’s ability to perform any of these tasks weakens with it, day-to-day life can become much more challenging. The same principle applies to our pets. 

Although cognitive health may not be at the forefront of most pet care plans, all animals are susceptible to eventual brain dysfunction, especially senior pets. Dogs and cats, in particular, could develop dementia and experience symptoms such as: 

• Decreased desire to play
• Disorientation and confusion
• Excessive Sleeping
• Lack or overcompensation of self-grooming
• Using the bathroom in the wrong places (such as on the carpet or outside the litterbox)
• Difficulty learning new things
• Anxiety 
• Irritation 

These ailments can be upsetting for both you and your pets, and rightfully so. That’s why I believe it’s important to take our pet’s cognitive health seriously from the get-go. 

Luckily, keeping your fur baby’s brain muscles active is something you can easily do every day. 

How to Take Care of Your Pet’s Cognitive Health

Balanced Diet and Supplements

A healthy diet goes a long way when it comes to your pet’s cognitive health, so be sure to double-check those food labels. 

Vitamin B, which is present in proteins such as poultry and fish, improves communication between neurotransmitters in the brain, which could be beneficial for your pet’s short-term and long-term memory. It also plays an important role in optimizing energy use among brain cells and nerve growth. 

Antioxidants are great for combating oxidative stress and protecting nerve cells in the brain, so look for antioxidant-rich ingredients such as blueberries and spinach. 

Fish oil is also a popular choice among pet parents for its omega-3 fatty acids. These essential nutrients are not only beneficial for your pet’s brain health, but also heart, eyes, and immune system. 

Incorporating supplements formulated for brain health into your pet’s diet is another great idea for their long-term cognitive wellbeing. If you’re not sure where to start, I invite you to try Fera Pet Organics’ USDA Organic Mushroom Blend. 

This powder, which is made from organic mushrooms, can be easily mixed into your pet’s regular food to provide a variety of benefits including cognitive health and digestion support, enhanced liver function, and much more. 

Exercise

Research has proven that physical exercise can boost our memory and thinking skills, and the same goes for our pets! 

Encouraging your pet to move about is already crucial for their physical health, but those neighborhood walks or times spent playing with the laser pointer are also crucial for their cognitive health. 

I recommend at least 30-45 minutes of exercise for dogs each day and around 30 minutes for cats. 

Puzzle Toys

Mental enrichment is most effective for your pet’s cognitive health. Since you can’t always be around to play or provide mental stimulation for your four-legged friends, puzzle toys are a great option to prevent boredom and enhance brain health. 

You’ll find hundreds of puzzle toy options for both dogs and cats, but I believe the best ones offer a way to apply your pets’ natural hunting instincts. This is why treat-dispensing puzzle toys are so popular. 

By challenging your furry friend to solve a puzzle in exchange for a reward, you’ll be helping improve their mental processing all while curbing unwanted behaviors such as chewing or scratching on the furniture. Win-win situation! 

Brain Training

Teaching your pet a new behavior or trick is another fantastic way to engage their mind and stretch those cognitive muscles. 

Standard obedience training will suffice, but I recommend brain training exercises since they encourage your pet to think creatively and solve problems. Here are a few examples of brain training games that both you and your pets will love. 

Hide and Seek

This playground staple isn’t just for kids! Either hide yourself or your pet’s favorite toy somewhere in your home and call for them seek. When they find you or the toy, give them a treat. 

Treasure Hunt

This game is very similar to hide and seek, but instead of hunting for you or a toy, your pet will be using their nose and brains to find hidden treats. 

Start by placing treats in plain sight in various spots around your home. Once they master the easy level, take it up a notch by hiding the treats in harder-to-find places like under a chair or behind a door. 

There’s an App for That

One of the perks of living in the digital age is there is an app for just about everything, including providing entertainment and mental stimulation for our pets. Here are some of the most popular that you can download today: 

• Jolly Pet (Google Play) or Jolly Dog (Apple) 
• Dog Squeaky Toy (Google Play and Apple) 
• Cat Fishing (Google Play and Apple) 

Unleash Your Pet’s Inner Fera

Unlock your pet's health potential with expert advice from Dr Michelle Dulake! Start making informed decisions today with her cutting-edge insights, backed by years of experience and research. Don't miss out – secure a brighter, healthier future for your furry friend!

Did you know that the name Fera signifies “wild animal?” We want your pets to keep running free and channeling their inner “fera” for as long as possible, which is why we’ve created all-natural supplements using only the purest active ingredients. 

Upgrade your pet’s health today and explore our collection of supplements for both dogs and cats. You’re also invited to follow us on Instagram and Facebook to keep up with limited-time offers and what’s new in the Fera Pet Organics community.