On average, dogs live for 11 to 12 years, but their exact lifespan differs based on their size and breed.1 Science has proven that smaller breeds tend to live longer. Scientific research has shown that smaller breeds generally live longer than larger ones and it is believed to happen because larger dogs tend to age faster.
The Goldendoodle, a mix between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle, is a relatively new breed, so the data about them isn’t long-standing or extensively backed by science. The average lifespan of a Goldendoodle is approximately 12–13 years, with some extending to 15 years or more. As a large-sized breed, their lifespan is influenced by their size and weight. If you want your pet to live longer, make sure to maintain excellent healthcare and choose them from a reputable breeder.
Goldendoodle Average Lifespan
Goldendoodles can live for 12–13 years. Jamie Whittenburg, a Kingsgate Animal Hospital vet, says that you should only buy from a breeder that conducts hip testing through PennHIP and OFA screening, heart, and genetic testing prior to breeding to ensure optimal health and wellbeing for your Goldendoodle.
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The Life Stages of a Goldendoodle
A Goldendoodle goes through the following life stages:
Puppy (birth to 8-12 months): Puppies are energetic and curious, and they like to chew on everything. This is a critical time for training and mental stimulation to harness their intelligence.
Young Adult (12 months to 2-3 years): During this stage, Goldendoodles continue to grow and develop their personality. You should switch them to adult dog food, adjust exercise routines, and maintain training using positive reinforcement.
Mature Adult (2-10 years): Goldendoodles are calmer but still energetic, requiring at least two hours of daily exercise. Swimming is a great activity as they typically enjoy water.
Senior (10+ years): Goldendoodles in their senior years need regular vet check-ups, gentle exercise, and potentially medications or supplements to manage age-related health issues. You should adapt their care to their changing needs.
How to Tell Your Goldendoodle’s Age
If your dog is still young, you can determine their age by examining their teeth. A dog’s baby teeth should start to erupt at 3-4 weeks old. Adult teeth start erupting when the dog is 16 weeks old, and all permanent teeth finish erupting at 6-7 months of age.
Another way to estimate your dog’s age is to conduct a DNA test. The lab will check your dog’s blood and examine the telomere length of their DNA. Telomeres are the protective ends on chromosomes that shorten as animals age. The length of telomeres is used as a biomarker of human aging, and it may help you gauge your pup’s approximate age.
How to Care for Your Goldendoodle for a Long Lifespan?
Caring for your Goldendoodle can help them live a long life. Here are some ways to keep your pet healthy.
Feeding & Diet
Obesity becomes the root cause of many health conditions that can deteriorate your pet’s quality of life. You can prevent this by feeding your Goldendoodle a complete and balanced diet.
It is recommended not to overfeed your Goldendoodle and, generally speaking, divide your pet’s daily calorie intake into two feedings. Consult a vet to determine the right amount of food for your Goldendoodle. Also, don’t let treats exceed 10% of their daily caloric intake.
Environment
Goldendoodles like to live in a family environment where they can play with their pet parents and siblings. They don’t mind being around other dogs, provided that they have received socialization training early in life. They have also been known to successfully hang out with cats if socialized properly.
They need at least two walks per day that last a minimum of 30 minutes. Some options for physical activity include walking, hiking, playtime with pet siblings, and running.
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Care
Caring for Goldendoodles involves not keeping them on their own for too long. The family-loving breed tends to get anxious when left alone. Some signs of separation anxiety are destructive behavior, vocalization, pacing, and toileting indoors.
Make sure you can give your dog the company they need before adopting one. If your Goldendoodle has a hard time staying at home alone, you could hire a pet sitter. Alternatively, you can ask a neighbor or family member to give your four-legged friend company while you’re gone.
Grooming & Cleaning
Once you get a Goldendoodle, your hairdresser appointments are not the only thing you need to book. The breed has a beautiful coat that benefits from professional grooming and regular brushing.
If you do not brush your dog’s coat regularly, it might get matted or tangled. You should also book an appointment with a professional every 1-3 months, depending on your dog’s needs.
Goldendoodles do not need frequent baths. If your canine friend likes playing out in the yard, you can let them splash in the tub for a bit to get clean.
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Ask your professional groomer if your dog needs a trim above their eyes so that they can see properly. Ensure you keep their eyes clear of debris and germs.
Inspect your Goldendoodle’s ears every few days. If your dog plays in water or takes a bath, dry their ears quickly, too.
Healthcare
Like every dog breed, Goldendoodles are susceptible to certain health problems. Hereditary health problems can be present at birth (congenital) or develop over time. Some laboratories offer genetic testing, and even a Goldendoodle DNA bundle, for common conditions in this breed such as degenerative myelopathy, progressive retinal atrophy, and von Willebrand disease type I. Considering their Retriever and Poodle background, Goldendoodles commonly suffer from hip dysplasia. The first step in ensuring the good health of your dog is to buy them from a responsible breeder who conducts genetic testing to only breed healthy dogs.
After the pup comes home, it’s your responsibility to feed them well to keep them healthy. There are many options out there, you can consider fresh food options or high-quality dry foods with suitable ingredients.
It also helps to get medical attention as soon as possible. If you notice signs of any disease, consult a vet immediately. An early intervention might help prevent the condition from worsening.
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Conclusion
We all want our pet friends to be our lifelong companions. While that’s not possible, you can surely take some steps to ensure your Goldendoodle stays by your side as long as possible.
It all starts with the purchase. Only buy a Goldendoodle from a reputable breeder. Follow the diet guidelines the vet recommends. Also, look for signs of congenital diseases in your Goldendoodle, and get them early treatment to prevent serious issues.
Before the development of pharmaceutical laboratories, traditional medicine started by using many plants and herbs to help the body heal and naturally treat skin conditions and other ailments. And in fact, we still use herbs and plants for their medicinal properties. One of the plants better known for their medicinal applications is the burdock plant (Arctium lappa), particularly the burdock root. In fact, burdock root was valued in traditional Chinese medicine due to its ability to“detoxify” blood and promote circulation. It has also been used topically to treat conditions such as eczema.
In this guide, we’ll learn more about the burdock root, what it is it what are the claims and what has been studied and what are potential medicinal applications in dogs.
The information in this post is merely informational and it is in no way intended as a prescription or recommendation. At Dogster, we do not recommend offering any supplement or medication to your dog without your veterinarian’s prescription.
What Is Burdock Root?
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Burdock, also referred to as Greater Burdock (Arctium lappa), is a plant belonging to Asteraceae family just like the aster, daisy, and sunflower. This plant is native to Europe and Northern Asia and while it has been used for centuries in traditional medicine, there is very little research out there about its use in canines.
Anecdotal reports say the root is successfully used topically in dogs to help with skin issues such as swollen and red skin due to allergies the medical term for this condition is canine atopic dermatitis or canine eczema. And while there are no in vivo studies to prove this, concluded that Burdock root extract stimulates chondroitin sulfate biosynthesis, and modulates pathways that regulate cellular functions which are particularly important for the wound healing process. These properties might be linked to the anecdotal success of the use of burdock root as a treatment to reduce pain and inflammation caused by arthritis in dogs.
Burdock root is one of the ingredients listed on some of the immune support dog supplements sold online. The antioxidant compounds found in the root would be behind this claim, however like with many of the herbal medicines, the reality is that we lack sufficient studies to firmly support its effects.
This thistle-like plant is hardy and easy to grow in your garden in rich soil. How you store the root will depend on how it is prepared, which we’ll discuss further in the next section.
How Is Burdock Root Given?
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Typically, the most common way to give your dog burdock root is given to a dog is in the form of commercially available supplements that consist of a combination of this root plant and other herbal medicines.
Several of the herbal blend products containing Burdock root are liquid tinctures that can be mixed with your dog’s food. The root doesn’t taste very pleasant, so a disguise will be beneficial in getting it into your dog’s system, but the liquids can be squirted into your dog’s mouth if they tolerate it. You can also find burdock root extract in a chewable tablet or powder form.
Each commercially available herbal blend containing Burdock is marked for different purposes including detoxification, allergy relief, immune supplement, joint care, and even urinary tract support.
Before choosing any of these herbal supplements, it’s essential to consult your veterinarian. We do not recommend taking it upon yourself to decide whether or not any of these commercially available supplements will help your dog.
Holistic veterinarians occasionally recommend herbal medicine, they have the necessary knowledge and experience to decide if your dog will have any benefit from this herb.
The vet will give you the most appropriate preparation and recommend how much and how often to give the root to your dog, as the dose will vary depending on your dog’s weight, size, and the ailment(s) you’re treating. We advise you never to give your dog the root unless you get the go-ahead from your veterinarian for safety.
What Happens if You Miss a Dose?
Since burdock root is a natural herbal remedy for particular ailments, dose frequency is not as detrimental as other allopathic medications. If you miss a dose, it’s safe to wait until your dog’s next meal or even wait until the next day to give the dose. But again, burdock root should only be offered if your vet approves it and per their instructions.
Potential Side Effects of Burdock Root
While side effects from burdock root in canines are rare, you should still familiarize yourself with possible side effects for your dog’s safety. It’s important to monitor your dog while giving burdock root and to consult your vet if you notice any of these rare but possible signs due to adverse reactions:
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea
“Burr tongue” or granular stomatitis
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What Other Benefits Does Burdock Root Offer Dogs?
Not only does burdock root provide a natural remedy for certain ailments and conditions, but it also has vitamins and minerals that benefit humans that might also be beneficial to your dog’s health, such as vitamins C, E, B5, B6, B9, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, potassium, zinc, copper, and more.
Another interesting fact about Burdock root is that it contains inulin, a probiotic fiber that might benefit a dog’s gut microbiome.
Burdock root has also been proposed as a flavor enhancer in doga and cat food, however, the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP)
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What Health Conditions in Dogs Is Burdock Root Not Advisable For?
It’s important to note that burdock root may affect blood sugar levels, making it potentially dangerous, especially for dogs with diabetes. Pregnant or nursing dogs should also not use burdock root.
Where Can I Buy Burdock Root for My Dog?
After determining if this is the correct treatment for your dog or if they will have any health benefit from it, holistic veterinarians will usually prepare a tincture or might even provide you with the dry root to offer to your pup in the form of an infusion or mixed with their food. They might also recommend a commercially available product. There are many online stores where you can buy burdock root for your dog. It’s available in liquid tinctures, chewable tablets, and powder form, usually with a combination of other herbs.
Please remember that herbal medicine while natural can have dangerous and detrimental effects on your dog’s health if not properly used. We recommend that you do not buy it before consulting it with your veterinarian first to ensure it’s safe for your particular canine.
Conclusion
Burdock root has been used for different medicinal properties in traditional medicine. In canines, this root has been used as a natural remedy for many ailments, such as arthritis, UTIs, digestion, skin issues, and immune and liver support, among others. The root has also been proposed but not officially accepted as a flavor additive in dog feed, due to the lack of evidence on its safety and efficacy. This root is most commonly found as an ingredient in pet supplements containing multi-herbal blends. However, despite the many potential benefits the root has to offer, we advise you to consult your vet before giving any to your dog.
Among all the cute cats on the internet, one that really stands out is a cool California kitty named Nala. Nala was rescued from a shelter when she was only a kitten, and her owner started an Instagram account to share photos with her family in Thailand. As Nala’s followers grew, her owner also started a website, Nalacat.com, and used the two platforms to spread awareness about proper pet parenting as well as the importance of adopting.
Eventually, Nala the cat started her own premium pet food brand, “Love, Nala,” both to continue building a positive legacy and to allow her owners to consistently donate to animal shelters. Ingredients were carefully chosen to create a healthy yet affordable product, and Nala tested everything herself to ensure other kitties would approve.
According to their website, Love, Nala has donated over 250,000 meals to rescue organizations all over the US. They work closely with their manufacturer to maintain a high-quality product that is healthy for cats of all ages. They also use quality ingredients like wild-caught, antibiotic-free seafood, and local, cage-free chicken. My cat Luna has been eating Love, Nala, and her verdict is: this food is purrfect!
Per the company website, Love, Nala was founded by cat lover Vasiri “Pookie” Methachittiphan and her partner Shannon Ellis in 2019. They named the premium cat food brand after Pookie’s beloved Siamese/Tabby-cross, Nala, and even included her likeness on the packaging. Nala was already internet-famous, having amassed millions of Instagram followers, and was even recognized the following year by the Guinness Book Records as the cat with the most Instagram followers, at that time more than 4 million! Nala’s owner Pookie always wanted to use Nala’s fame for good, and together, she and Shannon decided to start a cat food brand to allow them to donate to animal shelters while also providing a nutritious product to improve the well-being of cats everywhere.
Today, Love, Nala’s air-dried recipes are produced in California with an emphasis on using hormone-free, and locally sourced ingredients. Their wet foods are produced in Pookie’s home country of Thailand with locally sourced cage-free poultry. Love, Nala also uses wild-caught fish, which is antibiotic-free, and never uses artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. Every ingredient has been carefully chosen to be healthy for our cats and also environmentally friendly, while still tasting amazing.
Which Types of Pets is Love, Nala Best Suited For?
Any cat owner who loves their pets like family wants to feed them the very best food possible. But there are so many choices, and the very best options are typically the most expensive. This is what Love, Nala wanted to change. After formulating nutritious recipes using whole ingredients and leaving out the harmful artificial additives and fillers, this brand went the extra mile to make their products more affordable than other premium foods of the same caliber. So whether you have a kitten, an adult cat in the prime of its life, or a senior kitty, the food, treats, and supplements from Love, Nala can ensure your pet stays healthy for many years to come.
Love, Nala considered all the most important features a premium cat food should have when formulating their product line. And they have proven their willingness to improve upon their foods by discontinuing their dry kibble in favor of an air-dried recipe which retains more nutrients. Ingredients are carefully chosen based on their effects on both feline health and the health of our planet, and yet this food remains less expensive than most comparable brands on the market.
Ingredients
Love, Nala adheres to a “meat-first” policy with both their air-dried and wet formulas (except for added broth/water as the first ingredient in their canned food and lickable treats). This ensures these recipes are appropriate for our carnivorous kitties and also helps them maintain lean muscle mass – something that’s very important for indoor cats. The beef in their formulas is sourced in the USA, while their chicken comes from cage-free farms in Thailand. Seafood ingredients are wild-caught, which avoids the problem of antibiotics in the meat prior to processing, and Love, Nala also states all their meat is hormone-free.
Aside from what’s in Love, Nala food, it’s important to note what’s not in it. You won’t find harmful chemical preservatives, artificial flavors and colors, or nutritionally inferior fillers like corn or rice. This brand is committed to providing species-appropriate nutrition that is higher in animal protein sources and lower in carbohydrates.
Flavor Options
No matter how picky your cat is, Love, Nala probably has a flavor they’ll enjoy. Air-dried foods come in three flavors – beef, turkey/chicken, and chicken. Wet foods come in two textures (flaked or paté) and a variety of flavor combinations centered around either fish or poultry. The lickable mousse treats come in three flavors of either tuna, tuna/salmon, or chicken.
Nutritional Content
Cats are true carnivores, meaning their bodies are designed to digest animal protein and fat efficiently, and they have very little need for carbohydrates. Love, Nala’s air-dried and wet foods are all formulated with a meat-first approach to ensure their diets are not only biologically appropriate and adhere to AAFCO guidelines but are also higher in protein than the lower-quality high-temperature processed dry kibbles on the market. While those low-cost foods are typically around 26-32% protein, Love, Nala’s air-dried formulas are all 37-43% protein, depending on the flavor.
Pricing
Love, Nala’s pricing, while on the higher end, is in line with comparable premium foods. And true to their founders’ goal of making premium cat food more affordable, the wet and dry foods both come in a couple dollars below most of their competitors when looking at other air-dried and premium canned foods. Their website offers a subscribe-and-save discount, and shipping over $59 is free. If you’re committed to feeding your kitty a premium food, Love, Nala is a great one to try thanks to its slightly more affordable pricing.
Our Reviews of the Love, Nala Products We Received
All the dry food options from Love, Nala are air-dried, meaning the majority of the moisture has been removed using a gentle process that allows vital nutrients to remain. For this reason, air-dried foods are superior to traditional kibbles processed at extremely high temperatures and pressures. However, just like kibble, this gently baked dry food is easy to store and convenient as it does not require refrigeration or rehydration. This makes them a great option for people wanting healthier but hassle-free food for their pets. Love, Nala’s Beef Recipe is a tasty grain-free food that cats find irresistible.
The air-dried Love, Nala Beef Recipe has more meat-derived nutrition than the other two formulas, as the first four ingredients are all meat. However, of all three air-dried recipe options, the Beef Recipe has the lowest percentage of protein at 37%. It is also important to note that it contains pork and natural chicken flavor, which may represent a challenge for kitties with specific allergies to any of those ingredients. It also contains chickpeas as the first plant source on the ingredient list (fourth ingredient overall), which is usually added as a plant-based protein source. Although our carnivorous kitties have no dietary need for legumes and could do perfectly well with only animal-based proteins, plant proteins are added and balanced to avoid having the economic and environmental cost of the food become astronomic. This recipe is the lower calorie of all three baked Love, Nala products, making it the product to consider for less active cats.
Love, Nala’s Turkey & Chicken Recipe brings a higher level of protein, at 40%, and a minimal fat content at 19.5%. The total calorie level is intermediate between the other two products. However, the ingredient list introduces a plant source earlier than the Beef Recipe, with “potato” landing at the #3 spot behind turkey and chicken. Potato contains some protein and may be easier to digest than chickpeas for some kitties. However, it is still mainly a carbohydrate source and not considered a natural ingredient for felines, which are obligate carnivores with no real need for plant nutrients in their diet.
All the Love, Nala air-dried recipes use quality whole ingredients – no mystery meat by-products, meals, or cheap fillers like corn or rice. There are also no artificial flavors, preservatives, or colors, and their products are made in the USA with globally sourced ingredients. Love, Nala foods are formulated to meet AAFCO standards for nutrition levels and can be fed to kitties of all ages.
As obligate carnivores, feline species in the wild obtain most of their daily moisture requirements from their food – fresh, real chicken or fish. And our domestic house cats are not that different. Few indoor cats drink enough water to offset what is lost by living on a strictly dry-food diet, which is why offering wet food every day is such an important part of caring for a cat. Adequate hydration is critical to all bodily processes, but especially urinary and renal health. So, although chronic kidney disease can be influenced by many things, including nutrition and dental disease, it only makes sense to feed quality moisture-rich foods daily as the first line of defense.
Love, Nala’s variety pack of flaked wet food comes with 12 cans of three different flavors, including tuna, salmon, and chicken. Each can is 2.8 oz., and each contains a generous quantity of broth, making this a great way to hydrate your cat. All three recipes contain real meat and whole plant ingredients that you can see when you open the can. These are highly nutritious, highly palatable wet foods, but there is one ingredient on all three recipe lists that Love, Nala might improve upon, and that’s sunflower oil. Although a common ingredient in wet cat food and a source of Vitamin E for skin and coat health, felines do better with animal-derived fats as opposed to seed oils, and animal nutritionists mostly agree that sunflower oil is unnecessary in cat food.
Love, Nala’s Digestive Health Supplement comes in a convenient chicken-based soft chew. Each tub contains 90 chews. The label recommends a dosage of 1 chew per day for cats under 10 lbs., or 2 chews per day for cats over 10 lbs. The label also advises that cats should take this supplement daily for the first 4-6 weeks, and then every other day for maintenance.
While this supplement is designed around a blend of special enzymes that can improve a cat’s gut health, there are some ingredients the average pet owner may be confused by. The first is “Animal Plasma,” listed as an inactive ingredient. Animal plasma is indeed the plasma spun down from the blood of animals, but in this case, we do not know exactly what species of animal (usually cows or pigs but could be from poultry). Animal plasma is a nutrient-rich ingredient that adds flavor and assists with texture. Another ingredient on the list that some pet owners may be unfamiliar with is “Hydrolyzed Chicken Liver.” While this may sound questionable to some, hydrolyzed chicken liver is actually a highly digestible powder form.
An ingredient that does leave room for questions is “Palm Fruit Oil,” listed in the inactive ingredients list. This oil has gained a bad rap in recent years, primarily due to deforestation of rainforests to make way for palm tree growers. There are label certifications for companies using only sustainable sources of palm fruit oil, but this is missing from Love, Nala’s label.
Lickable cat treats in tubes have gained popularity in the last decade, both as a way for pets and owners to bond, and to distract displeased kitties during vet visits. A lot of the options available today amount to nothing short of junk food when their ingredients are analyzed, but Love, Nala makes three tasty options that contain great ingredients that are good for your cat. Their variety pack contains a chicken recipe, a tuna recipe, and a tuna & salmon combo. All three are void of mystery by-products and artificial colorings and flavorings and can be used as either treats or food toppers. All recipe options contain guar gum and tapioca starch as thickeners, which are both considered generally safe for cat consumption.
Each variety pack comes with 24 tubes of mousse, with a generous portion size of 0.5 oz. If this is too much to feed your kitty at one time, you can fold over the top of the tube, secure with a clip, and refrigerate (preferably standing up to avoid leakage) for a few days without worry. Love, Nala recommends feeding up to two tubes daily as a treat.
Pros
3 flavor options in one pack
Appealing aroma
Can be a treat or topper
Minimal ingredients
Cons
Messy to dispense
Leftovers difficult to store
Our Experience With Love, Nala
I’m always looking for better food and treats for my cat Luna, and recently the Love, Nala brand caught my eye. Actually, if I’m being honest, the packaging is what got my attention – a cute cartoon kitty with big blue eyes on an aqua background (my favorite color). But I don’t buy products off a catchy logo, so I started reading the ingredients as I do anytime I choose a new pet food…and I was impressed.
Sold on the meat-first ingredient lineup and lack of artificial ingredients, I decided to give Love, Nala a try, and Luna Kitty is sure glad I did! She has loved everything I’ve given her, from the air-dried food to the canned food, to the mousse packets. She even loves the digestive supplement and gobbles it up like a treat. The air-dried food is larger than her normal kibble, but she has had no problem eating it and likes both the beef and the turkey/chicken flavors. The flaked wet food flavors were all a hit as well, and she loved licking up all the broth before devouring the chunks of meat. I love that the canned food has so much moisture in it because I know she needs the added water in her diet. It also makes it easy to dump the can in her bowl without having to get a spoon to scrape it out.
The mousse packets have become our daily bonding ritual since I have to hold them for her. It’s also a great way for me to say “I’m sorry” after we trim her toenails (she HATES that!). And with all these new foods and treats in her diet, I’m happy to report that Luna has had ZERO stomach upset, which I attribute partly to our slow introduction of the food into her existing diet, but mostly to the Love, Nala digestive supplement that she takes daily. This has been a flawless food trial of a great brand, and aside from Luna’s love of everything, I can also see she has gained a little needed weight and is looking healthier and more content after just a few weeks of Love, Nala.
Love, Nala is a healthy premium cat food line from a brand intent on improving the lives of kitties everywhere. Not only do they spread an important message on their online platforms around pet care and rescue, but they are also committed to assisting animal shelters and rescues through food donations. By feeding your cat Love, Nala, you are furthering their mission of improving animal welfare while improving your own cat’s health and happiness.
Conclusion
