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:
- 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
- U.S. Hemp State Policy – Take Action in Your State
- 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
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.
About Angela Ardolino
Angela Ardolino, a certified cannabis and fungi clinician, brings over 20 years of expertise to the field of holistic pet wellness. As a graduate of the inaugural Medical Cannabis for Therapeutic Use program at the University of Vermont School of Medicine, she is a passionate advocate for safe, natural, and ethically-grown whole plant and fungi medicine tailored for pets.
Committed to the highest standards, Angela continues to educate and inspire pet parents through her popular podcast, Your Natural Dog, where she hosts experts to discuss holistic pet care, natural remedies, nutrition, and training. Follow Angela Ardolino on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube to stay updated on her mission to educate and empower pet parents everywhere.
About Carter Easler
Director of Research and Education at CBD Dog Health and MycoDog, Carter is a cannabis educator and holistic practitioner with certification in the use of Cannabis Therapies for Veterinary Medicine by The College of Integrative Veterinary Therapies. He continues to study and share his knowledge of cannabis therapeutics through written articles, educational videos and live speaking engagements across the country.
Growing up in a family of veterinarians, Carter developed a deep love for animals and saw first hand how holistic medicine could change both their lives and his own. As Director of Education, Carter travels North America educating pet parents, business owners and veterinarians about the benefits and science behind cannabis therapeutics and holistic medicine, along with his own rescue dog Archie.