The study’s authors, all from China’s Sun Yat-sen University, noted that it “remains unclear whether pet ownership is associated with cognitive decline and to what extent pet ownership mitigates the association between living alone and cognitive decline.”
The Pew Research Center reported in 2020 that 27% of American adults 60 and older live alone, and this figure is on the rise. Based on the Pew data, pet ownership would potentially benefit more than 20 million Americans.
Data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that 11% of American adults 45 and older experience cognitive decline. Among older adults with cognitive decline, 29% live alone, according to the CDC.
Aside from thinking and remembering, cognitive decline can affect things like doing household chores, socializing, taking medication and working outside the home, says the CDC.
“Loneliness is a potential mediator in the association of living alone with dementia among older adults. Contrary to living alone, pet ownership … is related to reduced loneliness, an important risk factor for dementia and cognitive decline,” the study says. “However, the association between pet ownership and the rate of cognitive decline has not been fully explored, and the existing findings remain controversial.”
The study’s authors emphasize that no current therapy effectively reverses cognitive decline or treats dementia.
“Thus, identifying high-risk populations and modifiable risk factors is crucial for formulating public health interventions and promoting healthy aging,” the authors wrote.
Bark & Whiskers Meat Based Diet Digestive Enzymes Supplement Powder for Dogs & Cats Description
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Meat-Based Diet
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Add as a Topper to Dog Food or Cat Food
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Veterinarian Formulated
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Promotes Protein & Fat Digestion
Specially formulated to cater to specific meat-based diets, this unique formula offers a blend of beneficial enzymes to promote proper absorption of essential nutrients by supporting the proper digestion of protein and fat.
For best results, divide your pet’s daily serving amount equally between meals. Mix each portion with food.
| Animal Type | Daily Serving Amount | Scoop(s) |
| Cat (2+ lbs.) | 250 mg | 1/2 |
| Toy Breed Dogs (up to 14 lbs) | 500 mg | 1 |
| Small Breed Dogs (15-29 lbs) | 750 mg | 1½ |
| Medium Breed Dogs (30-49 lbs) | 1.25 g | 2½ |
| Large Breed Dogs (50-79 lbs) | 1.5 g | 3 |
| Giant Breed Dogs (80+ lbs) | 2 g | 4 |
This product is intended for intermittent or supplement feeding only.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
| Amount Per Serving | % Daily Value | |
| Guaranteed Analysis Per Scoop (500 mg): | ||
| Crude Fat (Min) | 16% | |
| Crude Fat (Min) | 0.2% | |
| Crude Fiber (Max) | 37% | |
| Moisture (Max) | 7% | |
| Alpha-Amylase (Porcine Pancreas) (Min) 1 | 14400 U | |
| Protease (Porcine Pancreas) (Min) 2 | 14400 U | |
| Trypsin (Porcine Pancreas) (Min) 3 | 6000 U | |
| Lipase (Porcine Pancreas) (Min) 4 | 1200 U | |
| Protease (Aspergillus oryzae) (Min) 5 | 300 HUT | |
| Bromelain [Pineapple (Stem)] (Min) 6 | 80 GDU | |
| Lipase (Rhizopus oryzae, Aspergillus niger) (Min) 7 | 100 FIP | |
| Calorie Content (Calculated): 2130 kcal/ME/kg or 1.06 kcal ME/500 mg scoop. | ||
1-Contains a source of alpha-amylase which can hydrolyze starch. 1 U USP of amylase activity equals the amount of pancreatin that hydrolyzes 0.16 µEq of glycosidic linkages per minute under standard assay conditions.
2-Contains a source of protease which can hydrolyze casein. 1 U USP of protease activity equals the amount of pancreatin that produces the equivalent of 15 nmol of tyrosine from casein per minute under standard assay conditions.
3-Contains a source of trypsin which can hydrolyze protein. 1 U USP of trypsin activity equals the amount of pancreatin that produces 1 mole of substrate per minute under standard assay conditions.
4-Contains a source of lipase which can hydrolyze triglycerides. 1 U USP unit of lipase activity equals the amount of pancreatin that produces 1 microequivalent of acid per minute under standard assay conditions.
5-Contains a source of protease which can hydrolyze tyrosine. 1 HUT unit of proteolytic (protease) activity is defined as that amount of enzyme that produces, in 1 minute under the specified conditions, a hydrolysate whose absorbance at 275 nm is the same as that of a solution containing 1.10 µg/ml of tyrosine in 0.006 N HCL under standard assay conditions.
6-Contains a source of bromelain which can hydrolyze gelatin. 1 GDU of bromelain activity equals the amount of gelatin that produces 1 mg of amino nitrogen per twenty minutes under standard assay conditions.
7-Contains a source of fungal lipase which can hydrolyze triglycerides. A standard lipase preparation can liberate the equivalent of 1 micromole of fatty acids per minute from the substrate emulsion under standard assay conditions.
