A new study finds that hundreds of pets in the US are being unintentionally poisoned by cocaine and methamphetamine by their owners in their own homes.
In the study, the researchers emphasized the crucial role that pets play in households, often providing comfort and emotional support, and how it is the humans’ responsibility to make sure they stay healthy.
“Considering the involvement of cocaine and methamphetamine in overdose deaths among humans in the US, this study examined trends in cat and dog exposures to these substances using data from a specialty animal poison control center,” the researchers wrote.
For this study, the researchers used secondary data from calls to the Pet Poison Helpline from 2019 to 2023.
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According to the results, a total of 63 cats and 433 dogs were exposed to illegal drugs from 2019 to 2023.
And among those 63 cats, 65% (41 out of 63) were exposed to cocaine while 58% (250 out of 433) of the dogs were exposed to meth.
While the study found no significant trends of meth exposure for either cats or dogs from the data used, they saw a staggering increase in cocaine exposure.
“Animals are highly sensitive to the stimulatory and sympathomimetic effects of cocaine and methamphetamine,” the authors of the study wrote.
“Any degree of exposure should be considered concerning, as there is a high risk of toxicity and death, even with aggressive medical therapy.”
Furthermore, the researchers said that as this continue to “trend upward”, creating awareness and recognizing the potentially fatal effects on pets can help minimize the exposure to these drugs.
Symptoms of cocaine and meth poisoning in dogs include hyperactivity, panting, vomiting, hypersalivation, dilated pupils, and seizures among many others.
Lort Smith Veterinary Hospital explains, “Cocaine causes stimulation of the central and sympathetic nervous systems, causing constriction of blood vessels, an increased heart rate (tachycardia), cardiac arrhythmias and high blood pressure.”
Many dog owners can attest to the excitement that follows when they pick up a leash and their pup realizes it’s walk time! Walking is not only a great form of exercise, but it also offers important mental benefits for dogs as well. A study has even shown that performing regular scent work promotes a more optimistic state of mind in dogs!
Most dogs need 1-2 walks per day. On average, aim to walk your dog for 20 minutes to 1.5 hours a day, depending on their breed, age, and energy level. We have lots of information about the exercise requirements of individual breeds that you can look for on our site.This can be a long walk a day, or various shorter walks that will add up the time your dog needs.
How Long Does My Dog Need to Walk?
This depends on a lot of different factors. For example, a senior Great Dane will probably be happy with a slow saunter around the block, while an energetic young border collie might hike for two hours and still be ready for more!
Your veterinarian will be able to offer specific guidance for your particular pup—taking their age, breed, and overall health into consideration.
Keep in mind that walks don’t have to be the same every single day. While it is important to prioritize walks for your dog, don’t worry about being super regimented. Schedules change, and weather can also be a factor. Likewise, walks need to be kept short when it’s excessively hot or cold outside.
Hiring a dog walker may be a good option if you have an energetic dog, but you don’t always have time for a long walk. You can also check out these ways to provide enrichment on days that opportunities for physical exercise may be limited.
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Walk Duration Based on Dog Types
Among the many dog breeds in the world, some require longer exercise sessions to burn off their high energy, while others will do fine with a short stroll around the block. To help you determine the best routine for your dog, we’ve categorized dog breeds into three groups so you can identify where your dog fits and tailor their daily walks to meet their specific needs.
Low-Energy Breeds: aim for 20 – 30 minutes of exercise
While we haven’t listed all the dog breeds in this list, we hope this breakdown will help you identify your dog’s category.
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Health Considerations
There are certain health conditions that will limit your dog’s ability to take long walks. Always consult with your vet to make sure their exercise time is suitable for their health. These are the most common health conditions to watch for when walking your dog.
Brachycephalic Breeds
When walking a brachycephalic (flat-faced) dog, such as a Bulldog, Pug, or Shih Tzu, it’s important to be mindful of their unique needs. Brachycephalic breeds are prone to overheating and can struggle to breathe in hot conditions due to their shorter airways.
It’s important to monitor them closely for signs of fatigue, such as heavy panting, drooling, or slowing down. During the warmer months, particularly during humid conditions, it is safer to only take these breeds out for a short toileting walk, preferably first thing in the morning and after sunset.
Dogs Suffering From Arthritis
If your dog suffers from arthritis, it’s important to be cautious of the conditions where they’re walking. Walking on softer surfaces like grass rather than pavement can reduce joint impact.
Dogs with arthritis may experience stiffness, pain, or discomfort, especially in cold weather or after long periods of rest. Opt for shorter, more frequent walks at a relaxed pace to avoid putting too much strain on your dog’s joints. Pay close attention to any signs of discomfort, such as limping, slowing down, or reluctance to move, and adjust the walk accordingly.
Joints start to warm up after 15-20 minutes of exercise, making them more susceptible to damage. For dogs with arthritis or issues like hip or elbow dysplasia, it is best to modify their exercise routines to reduce the risks of causing inflammation to the joints.
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Overweight or Obese Dogs
If your dog is overweight or obese, it’s important to exercise them daily, but be cautious of not surpassing their limits. Watch out for signs of fatigue, panting, or reluctance to walk, as this may be a sign that they have reached their limit.
To help your dog get used to walking and exercising, aim to slowly increase walk sessions in intervals of 5 minutes until you reach the exercise time recommended by your vet. This will offer more exercise to your dog while avoiding over-exercising them. Using a properly fitted harness, like the Halti no-pull harness, instead of a collar will also reduce strain on their neck, especially if they tend to pull. Remember to consult with a vet before starting any exercise plan to ensure it’s safe for your dog’s specific health condition.
A Note About Walking Puppies
Have you ever watched a puppy fall asleep in the middle of a play session? Their bodies are very good at telling them when to take a break! Puppies should never be encouraged (or forced) to keep exercising when they are tired.
Expect that walks will be short, especially at first, while your puppy is getting used to being on a leash. Walks at this age are less about exercise, and more about training and socialization! Always remember to stop if your puppy seems to be getting tired.
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The Importance of Sniffing on Walks
While it can be a little annoying when your dog wants to stop and sniff everything, try to indulge them at least some of the time. When given free choice on a walk, it is estimated that dogs spend about a third of their time sniffing!
Walks are your dog’s chance to get out of the house and see what’s going on in the neighborhood. Consider varying your route to provide novelty, and check out this article for ideas on how to take your dog for a special “sniff walk”.
How Do I Know if My Dog is Getting Enough Exercise?
Generally, calm behavior and ability to settle at home are good indications that a dog’s exercise and mental stimulation needs are being met. A dog who isn’t getting enough of these things may display destructive behavior, restlessness, or excessive barking.
Walks alone may not be enough for high-energy dogs and working breeds, who often also require high levels of mental stimulation. For these types of dogs, consider providing outlets for the natural behavior(s) your dog is driven to perform. Examples include scent work, retrieving, herding, and agility.
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Summing Up
Daily walks contribute greatly to your dog’s physical and emotional well-being. There are many benefits to consider, some of which include:
Helping your dog maintain a healthy body weight, which may reduce their risk of certain diseases and help them live longer.
Providing important mental stimulation.
Creating opportunities for social interactions with people and other dogs.
Strengthening the bond between you and your pup.
Remember to check with your veterinarian before changing your dog’s exercise routine, and never force them to keep exercising if they seem tired.
According to Loyal, they are confident that their anti-aging medicine, LOY-002, will be available on the market this year.
LOY-002 is one of the biotech’s company’s anti-aging medicine, which is a daily, beef-flavored pill specifically developed for dogs age 10 and older, weighing at least 14lb.
“We’re developing LOY-002 to support healthy aging in senior dogs of nearly every size,” Loyal reveals n their website. “The product is meant to target metabolic dysfunction, which may extend the number of healthy years your dog lives and support their quality of life as they age.”
The Guardian reports that Loyal has raised $125m in funding from companies who have held back from investing in human longevity projects due to the fact that trials would take decades.
However, founder and chief executive of Loyal, Celine Halioua, believes that their work on the anti-aging dog medication can also benefit humans in the future.
“Finding out how to prevent canine age-related decline is a really strong proxy for doing the same with humans because dogs get similar age-related diseases, and share our environments and habits in ways laboratory mice do not,” she said.
Halioua said that they’re not making immortal dogs. Instead, they are extending dog lifespan “by extending health and thus shortening the rate of ageing.”
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Similarly, a team of researchers for the Dog Aging Project are studying rapamycin at the University of Washington to slow down the ageing process of dogs, if given in low doses.
Rapamycin is a cheap and easily produced drug that is already commonly used as an immunosuppressant for humans after organ transplant operations.
The researchers believe that it can increase dogs’ lifespan by improving both their heart and cognitive functions by regulating cell growth and metabolism.
Daniel Promislow, a biogerontologist at the University of Washington and a co-director of the Dog Aging Project, said, “Our study is light years ahead of anything that’s been done on humans or can be done on humans. What we’re doing is the equivalent of a 40-year-long study on humans, testing the ability of a drug to increase healthy lifespan.”
While the drug is not officially approved for longevity use in humans, gerontologists believe that it has the potential to do so in the future.
Kate Creevy, co-founder and chief veterinary officer of the project, also tells The Guardian that studying spayed and unspayed dogs could also provide insights into pre- and post-menopausal women’s health.
Creezy explains, “We also have data on what age dogs have been spayed – which could cross over to the variation in age that women have their menopause – and data on why they were spayed, which could cross over to women who have had hysterectomies for medical reasons.”
Furthermore, Promislow hopes that when the project finally reports in four to five years’ time, rapamycin will have the power to give dogs an extra three years of healthy life in their lifespan.
Promislow said, “If we’re successful with dogs, it could be a turning point in informing us how to give human populations extra healthy lifespan too.”
