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I’ll confess. It’s one of my favourite things. The way dogs and cats appear to be running in their sleep, sniffing and even chatting with their friends.
But human research into Alzheimer’s and dementia has suggested just how important ‘chasing rabbits’ is to their brain health.
Here’s why…
What is actually happening? That twitching rabbit chase stage is more scientifically called the ‘rapid eye movement’ (REM) phase of sleep. It’s when your bestie’s brain processes the day’s events and stores them as memories. It’s a good thing. It shows the brain’s ‘filing’ system is working.
What the study can tell us…
The University of California study showed that a delay in getting into the dreamy REM sleep was linked to a higher risk of dementia and cognitive decline.
Chasing rabbits soon after they fall asleep is a sign their brain is going through a kind of software update!
How can you improve their brain health?
So with cognitive decline affecting up to 40% of furry family members, here are some top tips to maximise their brain health…
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Let them nap. A cat sleeps up to 18 hours and a dog up to 14 hours. It’s good for them. And don’t wake them when they’re dreaming. It’s good for them!
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Exercise. The medical saying ‘what’s good for the heart is good for the brain’ is so relevant to the furry family. Getting out, lifting the heart rate and boosting blood flow through the brain is golden. Plus, all that sniffing is incredibly stimulating!
- Feed their brain. In order to maintain it’s size and output, the brain needs a ready supply of energy, vitamins and healthy fatty acids. And the most loved by the brain? B vitamins, Omega 3 fatty acids and MCT (medium chain triglycerides) oils. And that’s why they’re such a big part of my Daily Boosters treats.
