126. Anti-Aging Drugs for Dogs: The Truth About Extending Your Pet’s Life with Carter Easler
As pharmaceutical companies begin rolling out anti-aging drugs for dogs, many pet parents are being told these medications can extend lifespan and prevent cognitive decline. But what are these drugs actually doing inside the body, and at what cost?
In this episode, Angela sits down with Carter Easler, Director of Research and Education for CBD Dog Health and MycoDog, to break down the science behind emerging longevity drugs like rapamycin and Loyal. Carter also shares insights from coordinating the Senior Dog Study on cognitive decline, as they explore how pharmaceutical interventions compare to natural strategies that work with the body’s own repair systems, including fasting, adaptogens, medicinal mushrooms, and support for the endocannabinoid system.
If you have a senior dog, or want to learn about supporting your aging dog before their golden years, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.
Episode Recap:
In this episode, Angela sits down with Carter Easler, Director of Research and Education for CBD Dog Health and MycoDog, to break down the science behind emerging longevity drugs like rapamycin and Loyal. Carter also shares insights from coordinating the Senior Dog Study on cognitive decline, as they explore how pharmaceutical interventions compare to natural strategies that work with the body’s own repair systems, including fasting, adaptogens, medicinal mushrooms, and support for the endocannabinoid system.
If you have a senior dog, or want to learn about supporting your aging dog before their golden years, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.
Episode Recap:
- Angela and Carter talk about the rise of anti-aging drugs for dogs on the market, and why aging is at its core, a loss of homeostasis. (00:00)
- Rapamycin for dogs, what it does and why it was originally developed. (04:41)
- Do anti-aging drugs support longevity, or interfere with the body’s natural repair processes like autophagy and cellular balance? (07:48)
- How fasting and restricted feeding windows naturally activate autophagy, support cellular cleanup, and may help extend lifespan in dogs. (11:10)
- Telomeres, “zombie cells,” and mTOR: how adaptogens, medicinal mushrooms, and hemp modulate aging pathways to support cellular balance instead of blocking the body’s natural repair systems. (16:41)
- Why pharmaceutical “one-target” drugs can create a narrow therapeutic window and unintended side effects, while adaptogens and medicinal mushrooms support all 12 hallmarks of aging. (20:59)
- The 12 hallmarks of aging explained, from telomere shortening and mitochondrial dysfunction to microbiome imbalance, and how these anti aging drugs are targeting just one of these. (26:06)
- Why supporting the endocannabinoid system becomes increasingly important as pets grow older. (31:09)
- Loyal, the upcoming “anti-aging” injection for dogs, undisclosed mechanisms of action, and the importance of informed consent before new veterinary drugs reach the market. (35:20)
- Why proactive pet wellness should prioritize food, lifestyle, and adaptogenic plant support first, and where pharmaceuticals truly belong in veterinary care. (41:20)
- They dive into the science behind specific adaptogens and plant compounds, from mitochondrial support and telomere health to metabolic balance and autophagy, and why full-spectrum, whole-plant synergy matters more than isolated compounds. (44:28)
Episode Resources:
- Download Angela’s Resources including her Senior Dog Protocol and more at AngelaArdolino.com/podcast-downloads
- Prospective Evaluation of a Mushroom Derived Nutraceutical in Dogs with Cognitive Decline
- What We Learned from the Senior Dog Study
- Mushrooms and Adaptogens for Canine Cognitive Dysfunction
- Have a question about your pet that you want answered on the podcast? Email us at Angela@AngelaArdolino.com
- Sign up for episode reminders and updates from Your Natural Dog with Angela Ardolino
- Visit Angela Ardolino’s website for more holistic pet health education: www.AngelaArdolino.com
Follow Your Natural Dog on Facebook and Instagram and if you want to see what Angela is up to, follow her on Facebook or join our CBD & Holistic Pet Advice Facebook Group.
Creators and Guests
Host
Angela Ardolino
Angela Ardolino is a holistic pet expert who has been caring for animals for over 20 years. Angela owns and operates Fire Flake Farm, her animal rescue farm, as well as her two locations of a natural pet salon and shop, Beautify the Beast, and is founder of CBD Dog Health, which offers high quality, all-natural medical cannabis products designed specifically for pets and MycoDog, a line of mushroom extract and adaptogen tinctures for dogs. Born and raised in Miami, Florida, Angela also founded the House of Alchemy, LLC, Miami Children’s Theater, and Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine. In 2013, Angela was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and knew that she needed to find alternatives to the toxic medications being offered to her. After hearing of the benefits of CBD oil and experiencing the life-changing results first hand, Angela set out to destigmatize medical cannabis and CBD oil so she could spread awareness around its holistic healing powers.
