Oldest living dog Bobi dies aged 31!

Can dogs on a vegan dog food diet live longer? Who was Bramble, the Collie who lived until the age of 25 on a wholefood plant-based diet in the UK?

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Oldest living dog Bobi dies aged 31!

Bobi a Portuguese Mastiff lived his whole life with the Costa family in the village of Conqueiros, near Portugal’s west coast, after being born in 1992 (!) with three siblings in an outbuilding.

Leonel Costa, who was eight years old at the time, said his parents had too many animals and had to put the puppies down, but Bobi escaped.

Mr Costa and his brothers kept the dog’s existence a secret from their parents until he was eventually discovered and became part of the family, who fed him the same food they eat.

Apart from a scare in 2018 when he was hospitalised after suddenly collapsing due to breathing difficulty, Mr Costa said in February that Bobi had enjoyed a relatively trouble-free life and thought the secret to his longevity was the “calm, peaceful environment” he lived in.

However, he had experienced trouble walking and worsening eyesight prior to his death.

Bobi was not the only dog owned by the Mr Costa to live a long life. Bobi’s mother lived to the age of 18 while another of the family’s dogs died at the age of 22. See full article here.

Bobi oldest dog very overweight and with cat friend

“His lifestyle seems to have provided plenty of opportunity to exercise and explore his peaceful farm and forested surroundings without restriction, helping Bobi to stay physically and mentally well,” said Prof Knight as quoted in the Guardian here.

Bobi was said to have been fed human food soaked in water to remove seasoning! Prof Knight said it was possible for dogs to survive on a diet of human food scraps, since this is “consistent with canine evolutionary history”. However, in order to live a long life, they needed owners who followed “an unusually healthy diet”.

The secrets of pet longevity, includes nutritionally sound diets and plenty of exercise.

 

A SCANDAL UNFOLDED WEEKS AFTER THIS ARTICLE ABOUT BOBI WAS PUBLISHED

As a vet, I always thought that Bobi looked far too large to have carried that weight and lived to be 31 years old!
Interesting article in the Guardian here as it shows the inaccuracies with the Guinness World Book of Records measurements. Bobi was found NOT TO BE 31 WHEN HE DIED!!
We do have some accuracy with Bramble who gained her place there in 2002 as she lived till 25 years old with her devoted Mum who wrote a book about her as she was only fed an organic wholefood vegan diet all her life!

And what of wholefood plant-based diets for our pets and who was Bramble?

Bramble the world's oldest living dog lived on a vegan whole food diet

An inspiring example of a 100% plant-based dog is that of Bramble, a 25-year-old Border Collie whose wholesome diet of organic brown rice, red lentils, vegetables, and some additional ingredients like yeast extract and herbs earned her a place in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s oldest living dog in 2002!

Bramble’s owner is Anne Heritage – a devoted animal lover growing up in the South West of England in the 60’s. Read her remarkable story in a book available on Amazon.

In her words she not only had Bramble, but “I’ve had seven dogs – three of them lived to 19-years-old, one lived to 20-years-old (a German Shepherd), and then Bramble lived to 25-years-old.”

This is remarkable and can definitely be attributed to a life dedicated to feeding a healthy plant-based natural diet as well as the freedom of exercise and wholefood ingredients. Prof Knight mentions in the article in the Guardian that it was possible for dogs to survive on a diet of human food scraps, since this is “consistent with canine evolutionary history”.

However, in order to live a long life, they needed owners who followed “an unusually healthy diet” just as Anne Heritage followed in the 70’s and 80’s. Her book explains how when she moved home, she chose it to find the perfect vegetable patch to grow her own organic vegetables, and her dogs were only fed these once daily and would go for walks in the Somerset countryside for at least 3 hours each day.

This is the ideal and remarkable and proof of the benefits of wholefood plant-based diets for both us and our dogs. If wanting to home cook for your dog feeding a nutritionally sound plant-based diet, it is possible and we sell all the supplements needed and have a number of delicious recipes to guide you.

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A balanced vegan diet is one of the best diets that you can feed to your elderly dog

I wish that I knew this 7 years ago. My biggest regret as a vet, is not feeding our previous family Labrador, 'Slick', a plant-based diet.
Elderly dog Slick owned by vegan vet
I now know that she would have lived so much longer. She would have not suffered from as much arthritic pain as she did in her latter years. I am so thankful that I can feed Ruff a balanced and healthy vegan diet.
He is turning 11 this year and needs all the support he can get with his little bent front legs and heart murmur so common in small elderly breeds. We all want our elderly dogs to stay as healthy, happy and as comfortable as possible so that they live as long as possible. None of us want our elderly pets to be in any form of discomfort or pain!

How does a plant-based diet benefit elderly dogs?


💚 1. Elderly dogs need high quality proteins that contain all 10 essential amino acids. The proteins must be readily available and pure plant-based proteins. Animal-based protein diets are high in Phosphorus which can hasten kidney disease if your dog is predisposed (read about how ALL my family dogs died of kidney failure here). Healthy older dogs can tolerate higher levels of plant-based protein which are naturally pure amino acids with none of the toxic build up found in fish and animal organ meats (as I exposed when speaking at the London Vet Show just how many toxins were in Royal Canin, Hills and Purina dog foods).

💚 2. Even more important than protein levels, plant-based diets contain anti-oxidants that protect the ageing cells in your dog's body. Beta-carotene is a natural anti-oxidant found in bright orange sweet potato, blueberries and fresh carrots for example. The highest level of antioxidant is found in the bright pink microalgae called Astaxanthin that quite literally delays the ageing process in dogs! We will be stocking this superfood very soon so watch this space!!!

💚 3. Vitamin B12 is a water soluble vitamin and an essential nutrient that helps to keep the body’s nerve and blood cells functioning. This MUST be supplemented in any age of dog on a vegan diet, but even more importantly in our elderly dogs to delay doggy dementia. Some dogs such as German Shepherds may begin to show signs of dragging of their hindlimbs with spinal nerve dysfunction. This vital vitamin is found in nutritional yeast (with added Vit B12 which is even better such as found here), as well as in beans, sweet potatoes, cauliflower and added to our JUST BE KIND supplement.

💚 4. A healthy gut is key to your dog’s overall health and longevity. 70% of the immune system is found in the intestines. Plant-based diets made with natural prebiotics and high in fibre are ideal. They provide all the elements to feed your elderly dog’s immune system and produce a functioning and balanced gut microbiome. Our 4 homemade recipes that you can make for your dog, contain 30 different colours and varieties of plant proteins to naturally feed your dog's good gut bacteria.

💚 5. Always supplement a home cooked diet for dogs of all ages. One important amino acid addition in the supplement - Methionine - is needed in our elderly dogs. It helps to acidify the digestive tract environment. Vegan diets tend to be alkaline promoting diets and with age, a dog’s digestive tract also becomes more alkaline. This can reduce the amount of important nutrients absorbed such as Iron, Zinc and Vitamins. Adding Methionine helps to neutralise this alkalinisation. Asparagus, peas, brown rice, lentils and bright pink natural cranberry powder added to any homemade food for your dog also help to acidify the intestinal environment.

💚 6. I advise that a homemade plant-based diet is fully mashed or blended. Peas, beans or seeds are completely softened and broken down to allow for maximum intestinal absorption. This is even more important in our elderly dogs who may not chew as well as they used to, due to loss of teeth. Give A Dog A Bean is an ideal food to feed elderly dogs due to its palatability and it is full of pure plant proteins without any soya or wheat that is usually genetically modified and may contain pesticides. ALL of the ingredients in Give A Dog A Bean are free of GMO's which means no extra toxins, just pure proteins to enhance the health of your elderly dog.

💚 7. You can select natural anti-inflammatories such as herbs like basil and oregano. Natural spices are also so beneficial such as turmeric and boswellia (Boswellia is added to GOLD DUST Joint and Supplement)

The kindest plant-based anti-inflammatory is Algae oil Omega 3 oil. This is the purest form of Omega 3 with none of the heavy metals or high levels of Vit A as sometimes found in cod liver oil. Omega 3 is so beneficial for ailing joints and nerves. Our elderly pets also need the addition of the immune boosting pure Vit D3. This is also found in Omega 3 Algae oil, or from UV radiated mushrooms (chop raw mushroom and leave in sun for 10 minutes before cooking). Older dogs may not get out for long walks as much as they used to and be exposed to as much natural sunlight as usual, so would need this extra Vit D3. This article shows how Omega 3 levels in the blood can extend the lifespan of our dogs just as it does with us.

💚 8.  A plant-based diet contains no hidden saturated fat that we find in high meat diets. These are detrimental in humans to heart health, and in dogs can predispose them to carrying extra weight or the very painful condition pancreatitis. Plant-based diets offer one of the best diets for heart health, especially if they are balanced with added pure Omega 3, Taurine and Vit B12 for heart muscle function. 

💚 9. Cataracts are a dull cloudiness that forms over our elderly pets’ eyes. It affects their sight and quality of life. Feeding a folate-rich diet such as bright green cooked kale, red cabbage, spirulina and beetroot, can actually reverse the onset of cataracts quite dramatically. The word folate actually comes from the word foliage (plants)!

💚 10. Carrying extra weight is common in elderly dogs. It puts extra strain on their already painful joints. It also affects their breathing, heart and energy levels and makes them more predisposed to cancer and diabetes. Plant-based diets are low in fats and high in fibre. You can  see the excess weight literally drop off and energy levels return when switching to a plant-based diet.
Studies show how a small amount of weight loss in elderly dogs amounts to a 6% reduction improvement in mobility and pain!

💚 11. Where your dog displays signs of cognitive dysfunction (doggy dementia), it is best to feed them a plant-based diet. They do better on a diet that is high in medium chain triglycerides. They use this as their energy source when older rather than glucose. Coconut oil has the highest source of medium chain triglycerides, so include desiccated coconut in your homemade cooking, or add coconut oil to their food (can be added into Gold Dust Joint Supplement instead of Algae oil, although as it is a saturated fat, it goes quite solid in the jar and can be difficult to mix to a paste compared to Omega 3 Algae oil). This means that your elderly dog can stay bonded to you and recognise you for longer by delaying the onset of any doggy dementia.

💚 12. Plant-based means no animal products. Many meats contain added hormones, growth promoters or zoonotic bacteria (as found on and in raw meat). These toxins would all need to be processed and excreted in your dog’s ageing liver and kidneys. A fresh plant-based diet contains nothing but goodness, and the results are remarkable. There is no need for their bodies to work hard to remove these toxins.

💚 13. Processed diets and treats filled with preservatives and food colourants can increase the chances of obesity and cancer in your pet. This is especially true if they are overweight.  A healthier diet filled with anti-oxidants lessens the chances of cancer and ensures that your loyal dog lives to a good old age. Read about darling brave Breta who survived cancer...and is still going strong!
Breta vegan Labrador who survived cancer

 

 

💚 Why did we develop GOLD DUST Joint Supplement?

 

  • It contains the powerful antioxidant combination of plant proteins such as organic non GMO maize and oats which naturally rejuvenates dogs in their golden years
  • Glucosamine, MSM, Manganese and Hyaluronic acid sooth stiff painful joints while promoting gentle joint healing for dogs in discomfort
  • Fast acting with results noticed in just a week
  • Boswellia enhances the natural systems that control inflammation
  • Biotin, Vit B12 and Vit C support dog breeds predisposed to cardiovascular stress and is an anti-oxidant for the heart
  • Psyllium husks combined with palatable Aniseed and Oatmeal provide natural prebiotics to enhance the absorption of nutrients for a healthy immunity
  • Gold Dust powder can be combined with Omega 3 Algae oil for a true Power Duo for your elderly dog's joints

 

Does A Wholefood Plant-Based Dog Food Diet Delay Doggy Dementia?

The story of Bramble above and the dogs owned by Anne Heritage is proof of longevity of dogs on a wholefood plant-based diet.

We do not have published research in dogs, but we do have it in humans where an intensive change in the lifestyle of humans suffering from dementia, was shown to reverse Alzheimers!

A study in May 2024 from Dr. Dean Ornish & colleagues 👏 (Ornish, D., Madison, C., Kivipelto, M. et al. Effects of intensive lifestyle changes on the progression of mild cognitive impairment or early dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease: a randomised, controlled clinical trial featured in Dr Michael Greger's nutrition video.

Further evidence supporting the power of wholefoods🌱and the consensus, "what is good for your dog's hearts is also good for their heads" (and ours).

It is not just length of life that we want for our elderly dogs; but quality of life. We want them to be able to see and be aware of us for as long as they possibly can to enhance the bond well into their golden years ❤️

 

JBK heart

What published studies are there about vegan dog food diets and longevity?

 

Dr Sarah Dodd who wrote research about longevity of dogs on a vegan dog food diet

The lovely Dr Sarah Dodd shown above, published a ground-breaking research paper in 2022 shown here which due to the positive health impacts of weight loss and eating pure plant-based proteins while enhancing the gut microbiome; plant-based dogs could live up to 18 months longer than meat-based dogs which is almost 10 years in human terms - astounding!

Listen to Prof Andrew Knight speaking at the London Vet Show about these remarkable studies that have been done

 

Dr Arielle Vegan Vet and Ruff vegan dog

 

“I believe in a kinder, healthier way to feed our dogs that does no damage to our environment, harms no animals and uses fresh, healthy plant-based ingredients for a balanced, wholesome and delicious diet”
- Dr Arielle Griffiths Plant Powered Vet and Ruff Plant Powered family dog 
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