We just know there’s a giveaway prize from Dognition somewhere near.
Do Smart People Have Smart Dogs?
Who wouldn’t mind an easy way to increase your health and fitness levels, reduce stress, AND improve your brain? Hint: the answer involves a lick, leash, and lots o’ love. Yup, be a dog owner.
Did you know that dog owners are likely to have lower blood pressure, more active social lives, fewer heart attacks, and totally increased guilt levels when you don’t walk them. I made up that last “benefit.” All the other results (and more) are supported by science.
Dog owners are likely to have lower blood pressure, more active social lives, fewer heart…
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As our long time readers know, I am a two dog person (see My Naughty Dog Story, though it may not be the highlight of dog ownership come to think of it….) Just added two kittens to the household as well, for balance’s sake. I am balancing my dogs’ perception that I am the most exciting, beloved, wonderful human ever to grace the planet with the cats’ attitude that I exist to adjust their crowns. Keeps me confidently humble.
Prized Pooch and a Prize for Your Pooch
By the way, stick around to the end of this post because one of you is going to win a prize for your pooch. More on that in a minute or about 7 minutes in dog years.
Want to win a prize for your pooch? Enter our giveaway #mysmartdog @ProPlan #ad @PurinaPro
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Wish I’d been smart enough NOT to jump out that window and hurt my knee. Grrrr
Another thing long time readers of our blog probably noticed is that I am totally jazzed about the ways that exercise confers to humans better memory, cognition, and brain volume. What??!! You missed those posts? Get smarter right here and now by taking a gander at the following (right after you finish this post).
Move Your Body to Improve Your Brain
Spark Your Brain with Exercise
It’s true that people who own dogs tend to be more active. Makes sense since we tend to walk our dogs and play with them. Did you know that dogs also enhance our mental wellbeing? Canine fit fact – dogs improve our mood, decrease depression, and increase happiness.
Walk to Lose Weight and Gain Fitness
Our Dogs Make Us Smarter; Can We Make Our Dogs Smarter?
But let’s turn that around for a moment. Can we help make our dogs smarter and happier? I know, I know. You already own the SMARTEST, BEST, HAPPIEST dog in the world. Except you don’t, because I do. Wanna see pictures of my smart dogs?
Look at me in this tree. Do I earn a “treeeeat?”
Back to the matter at hand paw — unless you’ve been out walking your dog in the wilderness for a decade where no wifi exists, you know that what we eat and what we do impacts our mental and physical health. Did you know that the same is true for dogs? Scientists at Nestle Purina have been studying aging in pets for more than a decade and discovered that nutrition can positively impact a dog’s cognitive health. Who knew? I had not. Based on their research results, Purina Pro Plan did two things:
- It introduced Purina Pro Plan BRIGHT MIND Adult formulas that feature a proprietary blend of brain-supporting nutrients that support cognitive health in adult dogs. That blend includes enhanced botanical oils, so now my dogs, Kila and Sydney are making spa appointments. Darn, they’re clever!
- It partnered up with Dognition, an online platform that offers fun, science-based games that reveal the unique way each dog sees the world. Dognition asks you a bunch of questions about your pet — and who doesn’t like to talk about your dog, eh? Based on your dog’s profile, you get a bunch of suggested activities tailored to your furbaby’s personality and temperament. I tried a few of these games with Kila and we both had a ball. (Sydney is currently recovering from knee surgery so he is on limited activity. Yes, he and my sister had knee surgery this summer. They say dogs resemble their owners, but apparently a certain dog wanted to be like his Auntie Alexandra. You know, driven around town with the wind in her/ his face and chin up…..)
Well actually Purina and Dognition did three things, as they also sponsored this post. Bark alert! Full disclosure that I partnered with Dognition and Purina to bring you this info. Of course I said yes, because what dog lover doesn’t want to combine food and fun for a smarter, healthier pooch?
Anyway, as part of the partnership, dog owners who purchase Purina Pro Plan BRIGHT MIND Adult or Adult 7+ dry dog food at select pet specialty retailers can receive a FREE Dognition Assessment code, a $19 value, with proof of purchase. Find out more here: Dognition/ BRIGHTMIND OOooorr, as I mentioned earlier, you might WIN that code free. Keep reading.
Canine Fun Fact
Let’s end this dog tale with a tail wag after another Canine Fun Fact: If like Kila, your dog ever did something naughty, you might get “that look” that seems to say “Oops, sorry, I am so regretful.” Except dogs don’t live in regret. That sad face with head down and ears back?? — your dog is playing you. A study found that owners who think their dogs feel guilty don’t scold them as much.
Told you dogs were smart. Now go play, instead of getting played. Oh, and learn enough to stay ahead of your dog by checking out this infographic and entering our giveaway. So barkalicious!
Comment Disclosure: Comments submitted may be displayed on other websites owned by the sponsoring brand.
GIVEAWAY! If you want to win free access to Dognition (believe me, you do want to dig around in this site!) then enter a comment below about an activity your dog loves. If you don’t own a dog, why not? I’ll be selecting the winner on or before July 30, 2016.
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Purina Pro BRIGHT MIND. The opinions and text are all mine.
Kymberly Williams-Evans
The post Exercise, Nutrition, and Brain Games Make Your Dog Smarter. You Too! appeared first on Fun and Fit: Active Aging Answers for Boom Chicka Boomers.