6 Human Wellness Trends Becoming Pawpular with Pets

Our pets are our family, so keeping the peepers on what’s new in health practices for our pups is just as important as staying on top of our own human needs. With that, it’s no surprise to see crossover when it comes to what’s #trending in the wellness space for humans and canines alike.

By: Chef Justine Kelly

Date: July 24, 2024

Our pets are our family, so keeping the peepers on what’s new in health practices for our pups is just as important as staying on top of our own human needs. With that, it’s no surprise to see a bit of crossover when it comes to what’s #trending in the wellness space for humans and canines alike. Here’s what we’re seeing on the up and up for our furry best friends’ health.

1. Hydration Station

Did you know most cats and dogs are made up of about 70% water? On average, that’s about 10% more than the average human, so keeping up the liquid intake should be top tier ritual status (bipeds and quadrupeds alike—it’s hot out there, people!). According to veterinarians, hydration is vital to overall health by transporting nutrients around the body, supporting healthy organ function, flushing out toxins, easing digestion, balancing energy levels, maintaining the elasticity of skin cells, and more. But sometimes it can be hard to take a break and chug a glass of agua. Same goes for our pets.  To make sure we keep our furry loved ones hydrated from the inside out, toss them a puppop! They get nutrition and cooling hydration all at the same time to keep things balanced.

2. Food as Medicine

If you haven’t heard, the human world has a spotlight on “you are what you eat” when it comes to health. Dietitians and medical professionals are finding that diets rich in whole foods (think vegetables, grains, fruits, etc.) and healthy fats (you got your nuts, your brain-food oils, your Omega-3s—hello, salmon—to name a few) are having positive correlations in bringing balance back to bodily functions and aiding the healing process of some ailments and allergies (see studies here from the American Society for Nutrition). The same concepts are being applied to pets too. 

At puppops, we believe the purposeful ingredients in our treats can have the same positive effect on the health of our dearest doggos. While they all have their benefits, some standouts are chicken soup, high in protein with organic chicken and fresh green peas for strong muscle building and cold-pressed flaxseed oil as an anti-inflammatory superfood, and busy bee, our puppop formulated for allergy relief. It has bee pollen for a boost in antimicrobials and antioxidants plus turmeric and mangosteen which may help reduce inflammation. Mother Nature provides!

3. THE ALL IMPORTANT GUT MICROBIOME

The time is now to follow your gut, because experts are continually learning more of its importance to our overall health and wellbeing, discovering links between the health of the gut microbiome and other bodily functions. Fur babies need theirs kept in check too! A study from University of Bologna’s Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences in Italy explains how bacteria known as gut microbiota (Mondo et. al) in dogs and cats plays a similarly important role in maintaining a “wide range of life processes, including energy needs, metabolism, immunological activity, and neuro-behavioral 

development,” with a more recent study (Lee et. al) from Seoul National University in Seoul, South Korea finding that supplemental probiotics may be beneficial to “modulating the immune system, helping to reduce stress, protecting against pathogenic bacteria and developing growth performance.” (This varies from animal to animal, and should be done in consultation with individuals’ vets, of course.) For greater (good) bacterial homeostasis in the intestinal region, the expert veterinary nutritional team at puppops has developed treats like tum-tum with ingredients such as slippery elm to help reduce gut inflammation and pre- and probiotics for balance in the gut microbiome. We like where this trend is headed and can’t wait to see what else is discovered.

4. Functional Snacks and Treats

Trending “functional foods” are categorically described as food products that, in conjunction with a balanced diet, offer ingredients such probiotics, antioxidants, and vitamins, that may target and enhance the health of various organs and systems or may aid in preventing various ailments or allergies. You’ve seen them on grocery store shelves. And in case you’ve missed it, the pet section is booming with them too. We get it! At puppops, we’re all about the purposeful ingredients which is exactly what goes into our versions of functional foods. Just look at SQUIRREL!, our treat formulated for hip and joint support. It has devil's claw and chondroitin for joint pain relief and muscle stiffness along with glucosamine and turmeric to help reduce inflammation—a lot of helpful functions happening there. We think your pets are going to be on board with this trend.

5. “Clean” Eats

At its core, eating “clean” entails focusing on a diet of whole foods (think vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, etc.), lean proteins, and minimally processed foods that steer clear of most additives and preservatives. Which sounds great. But “clean eating” can be a somewhat controversial trend for humans, as the term isn’t regulated and labeling foods “clean” would naturally assume others then being “dirty,” which may create restrictive eating patterns. For pets, the positives in this trend lie in focusing on offering them food made up of as many whole and minimally processed ingredients to get as much of the nutritious goodness as possible, without all those additives and preservatives. These types of carefully selected, human-grade ingredients are exactly what go into each puppop so you can be sure they’re getting all the good stuff. Maybe we just rebrand this trend to “goodness eating” for all!

6. Pro-CBD

This modern life we live can get stressful sometimes—for both us and our pets. The use of CBD, or cannabidiol which is extracted from hemp plants, has become a popular way for people to relax and ease anxiety. And that practice is now being studied in the realm of canine health as well. Though findings are still emerging, according to information shared here by Dr. Joseph J. Wakshlag, Section Chief of Nutrition at Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, the use of CBD oil in canines can be recommended by veterinarians in discussion over individual cases. A study out of Cornell found that “83% [of dogs] showed a decrease in stress or anxiety-related behaviors” when provided a dosage of CBD prior to a stressful event. We’ve formulated our own chill pill treat with organic CBD oil and a purposeful blend containing catnip to offset anxiety and stress symptoms if this sounds like a trend for your pet. Research is ongoing to better understand the efficacy of CBD in relation to anxiety in dogs, so be sure to speak with your vet to get their professional opinion as it could interact with prescribed medications your pup may be on.

Be a part of the puppops experience!

Join us in giving your doggo the love, appreciation, and nutrition they deserve, one delicious puppop at a time!

Disclaimer: It’s important to remember that all dogs are different so please be sure to consult your veterinarian before introducing any new supplements into their dietary routine.

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about the author

chef justine kelly

Completely dog obsessed, Chef Justine Kelly, brings over 25 years of experience in the culinary world to every wellness recipe at Puppops, Inc., so your fur babies can eat like family (because they are.) Her career includes co-founding renowned meal kit company, Sunbasket, and as the Executive Chef at San Francisco's James Beard Award-winning restaurant, The Slanted Door. Her pup, River, is her second favorite daughter.