Epilepsy management in dogs can be a challenge, especially when medication resists. Many of these dogs suffer not only for seizures, but also anxiety and symptoms similar to ADHD.

Recently, researchers at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences of Texas A&M (VMBS) and the Systems Neuroscience Center in Hannover, Germany, made a fascinating discovery. They discovered that fecal microbiota transplants (FMT) for drug -resistant epilepsy in dogs can help reduce negative mental health symptoms.

FMT is a non -invasive treatment administered by Enema. It has become popular in human medicine in the last two decades, thanks to the increase in scientific understanding of intestinal microbioma.

Scientists have also discovered that intestinal microbioma plays an even more important role in influencing other parts of the body. This includes the brain, in what is called the axis of the intestinal brain.

“We know that high levels of mental stress can affect intestinal motility,” said Dr. Jan Suchodolski, associate director of Research and Chief of Microbioma Sciences in the Gastrointestinal Laboratory of Texas A&M. “Several neurological diseases, including disease and stroke of Alzheimer’s stroke, also seem to cause intestinal symptoms in patients and vice versa.

“Studies have shown that changing the intestine microbiome with probiotics or diet alterations can affect the symptoms of the disease, so there is a lot of evidence of this relationship,” he adds. FMT is just a type of treatment that makes use of the intestinal-cerebro relationship, and is demonstrating to be highly effective.

For him studyThe researchers treated nine dogs with drug -resistant epilepsy. “Each patient received FMT three times for a period of several weeks and was monitored during follow -up quotes,” said Dr. Suchodolski.

“After treatment, dogs showed significant improvements in their mental health, including reduced anxiety behavior and a better quality of life”, while the frequency of seizures did not change significantly, researchers noticed a definitive improvement in the mental well -being of dogs.

This indicates that fecal microbiota transplants for drug -resistant epilepsy in dogs are an effective approach.

“If you think about microbiome as a garden, FMT is like putting in a completely new ecosystem,” added Dr. Suchodolski. “You are adding several bacteria and other organisms to see if something changes.

“While we still do not understand the mechanism that causes these behavioral improvements, we hope to continue developing new ways to help patients with medication resistant diseases using microbiome science.”

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It addresses the parents of dogs and cats that take medications for depression, anxiety or aggregate/ADHD. Calls to the venom aid line for pets involving accidental exhibitions to antidepressants and antianxiety medications increased by 84.9% between 2019 and 2022. Then only 3.2% fell in 2023.

Toxicology experts in the pet aid line reported an 81.2% increase in calls on ADD/ADHD medications during the same period of time. There was a small 1% drop in 2023. In short, the accidental ingestion of human medicines, including those of ADD/ADHD and depression, increased more than 80% during this five -year period.

“The use and public discussion about this type of medicines has increased over the years, which has helped many people improve their quality of life,” said Dr. Renee Schmid, veterinary toxicologist and director of Veterinary Medicine in the Pet Pot Pot Pot help line. “In addition, according to a recent study, the antidepressant rate dispensed to young people increased dramatically during COVID-19 pandemic.”

Toxicology experts of the pet venom help line used their Toxins Tool for analyzing data from calls that involve accidental exhibitions to these medications. The analysis revealed that Texas had the largest number of ADD/ADD/ADD exposure calls related from 2019 to 2023, closely followed by California and Florida.

“Regardless of the state you live in, mental health medicines can have fatal consequences when animals ingest,” said Dr. Schmid. “Changes in cardiovascular and nervous systems are the main areas of concern. Specific symptoms vary according to the ingested medication.

“The increase in calls involving antidepressants illustrates the danger that pets have access to the medication of their human partner,” he added. Therefore, it is crucial to maintain all antidepressants and other recipes out of reach of your dog or cat to avoid accidental ingestion of human medications.

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As consumers seek to minimize their carbon footprint, natural cat sand is having their day, a movement that we can support. Unfortunately, there is a lot of wrong information about natural garbage. We are here to clarify the confusion and highlight their strengths, weaknesses and who will benefit more.

To clarify, when we refer to “natural” garbage in the pet industry, we refer to garbage made of organic materials that break down more easily than traditional clay. While clay garbage is obtained from the earth and can be considered technically “natural”, it is not the most ecological option. Natural litters are made with renewable resources such as wood, corn and recycled paper. Not only are they better for the planet, but they also offer practical benefits for cat parents.

Are you not sure if natural garbage is for you? Next, we will present the main benefits, and frankly we will call common inconveniences. Here are seven reasons to consider sustainable garbage, such as Catit’s Go Natural Pea Husk Litter.

1. is better for the environment

Liz Coleman / Cats.com

Natural Cat Litter offers a clear environmental advantage, both in terms of production and its disposition.

While the bentonite clay is extracted through strips mining, a destructive process that harms ecosystems, natural litters are made of renewable resources such as wheat, soybeans and recycled paper.

These materials often come from administered practices sustainably. For example, wood -based litters are derived from harvested forests responsible, and Tofu -based products use leftover remains. Catit’s Natural Litter Upcycles Post-Consumer Materials that would otherwise be discarded, including peas and bamboo peels.

Many natural brands also focus on ecological packaging. Catit, for example, presents recyclable cardboard boxes and vacuum bags that save space and reduce CO2 emissions during transport.

When it is time to replace garbage, natural options are biodegradable and break down over time, reducing waste in landfills.

2. It is healthier for cats

Clay garbage often contains harmful chemicals, dyes and fragrances. Natural litters, on the other hand, are generally made of non -toxic foods of food degree. These are softer in the lungs, skin and even your cat’s belly, if you try a bite.

Instead of trusting hard additives to combat the smell, natural litters include materials that naturally absorb and neutralize odors. They also incorporate ecological accessories, such as sodium bicarbonate, to handle odors.

In addition, natural garbage tends to produce less dust, which is better for cats with asthma or allergies, as well as sensitive humans. Changing to natural garbage can make everyone at home, in account or of another, a little easier.

While natural garbage is generally safer, two potential health dangers to observe are pests and mold. If it is not stored correctly, natural litters such as corn and wheat can be susceptible to these problems.

3. It is (usually) less disorder than clay

Liz Coleman / Cats.com

When it comes to cleaning, natural garbage has an edge on clay. In general, natural materials produce less dust, and any generated dust is safer to breathe than small clay particles.

Some natural formulas, such as the garbage of the Catit pea peel, are designed on purpose with larger granules that track less, keeping the garbage inside the box instead of their floors. However, you will also find natural litters that are light and come in fine granules. These can actually lead to more disorder than clay.

Something to consider: although they generally do not include artificial fragrances, some natural litters will have a different smell under their ingredients. (that is, pine pellets will smell wood and the tofu has a decidedly sweet smell). We recommend choosing something what I can live with.

4. Natural litters often exceed clay

Natural litters can have a bad reputation for being ineffective, but some brands can overcome clay in key areas. I have tried a variety of litters over the years, and I have discovered that many natural options are grouped and control better than some economic clay litters.

That said, experiences will vary. Not all natural options are equally working. Each material has different strengths and weaknesses, and there are compensation with any garbage.

Pine, for example, is highly absorbent, and corn tends to group well. In the tests, we learned the garbage of the Catit peas shell, such as other similar litters based on Tofu, admirably administered. However, paper granules need more frequent changes and generally have mediocre smell control.

5. Easier disposal

Natural garbage is often biodegradable, which means that you can compose it or use it as a mulch for your garden. This ecological approach helps reduce waste. Both the garbage of the Catit pea peel and the ultra light litter are compostable; Just remember to eliminate dirty groups first to avoid the spread of pathogens.

In contrast, clay garbage takes a long time to break down and can sit on landfills for years. It is also heavier, which makes the elimination more difficult.

A natural sand is even downloadable, although it must ensure that your plumbing can handle it and that local ordinances allow it.

6. It is light and easy to manage

Liz Coleman / Cats.com

Unlike heavy clay, which can make changes in the sand box feel like training, many natural options are easy to raise, carry and pour. This is ideal for those who live in high -height apartments or for anyone who finds heavy bags difficult to handle.

With a light natural length, it is not only easier to hang the sand tray, but to change the complete box becomes a simpler task. Whether you have mobility problems or simply prefer a lighter option, change to natural garbage can lighten your load.

7. It is softer than clay

Most natural litters offer a more gentle touch compared to clay, which can be rough in delicate legs. Materials such as corn and pine are soft. They can make the sand box more comfortable for cats with sensitive feet or joint problems. This additional comfort could mean the difference between your cat voluntarily using the box or avoiding it completely (in favor of a more comfortable surface, such as your bed).

While some cats may need a little time to make the transition from thick clay to soft granules (and some, like my amber cat, may not take it at all), the benefits of a softer surface will be a change of play for many cats.

Natural garbage will not be a homer for each cat or home. And, in most cases, you must detect additional dollars to fill your boxes. But, for some cat cats, a high -performance natural litter marks all boxes.

If you are looking for a litter that is friendlier for the planet, safer for your cat and easier to drive, it is definitely worth considering a natural garbage. Its performance and efficiency may surprise it (in the best way).