Can You “Biohack” Your Pet to Optimal Health?

Content reviewed by Jennifer Sperry, DVM, Medical Director

You've probably heard of biohacking for humans—but what about giving your soulful sidekick a high-tech health boost? Welcome to the frontier of pet biohacking, where cutting-edge science meets puppy love. From DNA tests to smart collars, pet parents are going all-in on tech to help their dogs and cats live their best lives.

The rise of biohacking mania

Biohacking, the DIY biology movement that's been sweeping the web faster than you can say "nootropics," is all about optimizing the human body and mind through science and self-experimentation.

The idea evokes images of tech bros chugging butter-laced coffee, taking cold plunges, and wearing sleep-tracking rings while intermittently fasting in infrared saunas. And while evidence varies on effectiveness, there’s no doubt this movement has gained popularity online and IRL.

Pioneered by self-proclaimed "biohackers" like Dave Asprey and Ben Greenfield, this lifestyle aims to upgrade human biology and lifespan using cutting-edge technology, nutritional supplements, and lifestyle tweaks.

Now, as with any trend born in a tech petri dish, it was only a matter of time before someone asked the million-dollar question: "But what about my dog?"

The pet longevity revolution

Let's face it: we all want our pets to live forever. While we can't quite achieve immortality (yet), biohacking offers some wild possibilities for extending your pet's lifespan and improving their quality of life. It's not just about quantity of years together—it's about quality, too.

Enter the Dog Aging Project, a groundbreaking study led by the University of Washington. This ambitious initiative is tracking over 30,000 dogs across the United States to understand how genes, lifestyle, and environment influence aging and disease.

One of their most exciting trials involves rapamycin, a drug that's shown promise in extending the lifespan of mice. The goal? Rapamycin will delay the onset of age-related diseases in dogs and extend their health span. Imagine if a simple pill could give your pup an extra couple of years of love.

But wait, there's more! Meet Loyal, a biotech company that's taking a different approach to canine longevity. They're developing drugs specifically designed to target the biological mechanisms of aging in dogs. Their lead compound, LOY-001, aims to address one of the quirks of canine biology: larger dogs tend to have shorter lifespans.

Celine Halioua, founder and CEO of Loyal, puts it this way: "The idea is that we’re targeting the way the dog declines from a healthy middle age to a more frail dog, and try to keep those healthy years going longer.” Loyal's approach could mean that your Great Dane might one day have the lifespan of a Chihuahua, without sacrificing their gentle giant charm.

DNA testing: 23andMe for dogs

Just like humans, our pets' genes hold secrets to their health. And like the energy and research going into canine longevity advances, pet moms and dads are scrambling to learn more about their copilot’s ancestry to gain insights about their wellbeing. Companies like Embark and Wisdom Panel offer DNA tests that can reveal your pet's breed mix, potential health risks, and even personality traits.

But it doesn't stop there. Some forward-thinking vets are using genetic information to tailor treatments and preventive care. According to Embark, “What often surprises many is that genetic testing has the potential to let you know about a disease risk before symptoms arise which blood work cannot do.”

Wearable tech: Fitbit for Fluffy

Forget counting your own steps—now you can geek out over your pet's activity levels too! Smart collars like the Whistle Go Explore or the Fi Smart Collar are hitting the market and purport to track everything from your pet's location to their sleep patterns.

But these gadgets aren't just for helicopter pet parents. They can provide early warning signs of health issues. Dr. Andrews, co-founder of digital pet health center Felcana, agrees, saying “ultimately you can gather a lot of data from that dog or cat. That information is accurate to a large extent and is tracked continuously. You can use that information to give you a baseline for normal for an animal and use that baseline to identify when something unusual is happening.” If your wearable picks up on a sudden decrease in activity, that data could be used to signal something like arthritis or heart disease to a vet, allowing for early intervention.

While these technologies are still in their early stages, it’s not too far-fetched to imagine a time when your Apple Watch will track your kitty's heart health alongside your own.

Nutritional hacking: Superfoods for super pets

Forget boring kibble. Pet brands are entering the nutrition space and disrupting “Big Pet Food” with personalized, scientifically formulated diets. Companies like Smalls, KatKin, and The Farmer’s Dog are adding variety to the market with fresh food, raw food, or custom meal plans based on your pet's specific health needs.

Pet parents are looking for tailored products that claim to help enhance your dog or cat’s health and dietary needs – whether they be grain-free, breed-specific, etc.

Some pet owners are even experimenting with supplements like Cordyceps (aka mushrooms) or CBD, convinced they can remedy a number of issues. While the jury's still out on the effectiveness of many of these diets and supplements, their increasing popularity is a sign of how far some are willing to go for their canines and felines.

Psst- always consult a vet before making any changes to your pet’s diet – supplements included.

Regenerative medicine goes to the dogs

Sounds like science fiction, but stem cell therapy for pets is already here. It's being used to treat a multitude of conditions in dogs and cats. According to the VCA, “the most common use of stem cell therapies has been in the treatment of osteoarthritis in dogs and cats. Other potential uses include repairing bone, ligament, and spinal cord injuries and treating kidney and liver disease, cardiomyopathies (a form of heart disease), and certain inflammatory diseases of the skin and gut.”

Prosthetic joints are even being covered in pet stem cells to help restore mobility to pets with severe arthritis and other conditions. It’s clear that while we’re still in the early stages of exploring stem cells as a treatment option, they could help hold the key to improving our pet’s lives and lifespans.

The ethics of hacking your pet’s health

While all this tech is exciting, it raises some thorny questions. Is it fair to subject our pets to experimental treatments? Are we projecting our own desires for longevity onto our animals?

As science and medicine continue to advance, these questions will likely become more relevant. Swabbing your pup’s DNA or popping a wearable tech collar onto your little lion is unlikely to cause harm. However, when it comes to more complex or involved experiments with your pet’s health, it’s probably best to leave it to your vet.

The future of fur-forward health technology

So, what can we expect in the years ahead? Buckle up, because it's about to get sci-fi up in here:

1. Personalized pet nutrition: Imagine tailoring your pet's diet down to the molecular level based on their genetic profile. Companies like AnimalBiome are already offering microbiome testing for pets, paving the way for ultra-personalized pet food.

2. Gene therapy for pets: CRISPR technology isn't just for humans anymore. Scientists are exploring ways to use gene editing to tackle inherited diseases in pets. Who knows, future pet parents could even be able to tweak genes to enhance desirable traits or eliminate genetic vulnerabilities, which some may argue is a slippery slope.

3. AI-Powered health prediction: With advances in machine learning, we might soon have apps that can predict your pet's health issues before they show symptoms, just by analyzing their behavior patterns or even their bark!

4. Organ regeneration: Stem cell therapy for pets is already available, but the future might bring 3D-printed organs tailored to your pet's exact needs. No more waitlists for organ transplants!

5. Brain-computer interfaces for pets: Neuralink for dogs? While it sounds far-fetched, technology that allows direct communication between pet and parent might not be as far off as we think.

But here's the million-dollar question: how can you use this science to boost your pet's longevity today? While we wait for the miracle drugs, here are some accessible, evidence-backed tips:

1. Keep them lean: Studies show that maintaining a healthy weight can add years to a pet's life.

2. Mental stimulation: Puzzle toys and training games can keep your pet's brain young and could help stave off age-related regression.

3. Regular check-ups: Early detection is key. Don't skip those vet visits!

4. Consider supplements: Talk to your vet about supplements like omega-3s or glucosamine, which might support healthy aging.

5. Dental care: Believe it or not, keeping those chompers clean can help extend your pet's life by preventing systemic infections.

As the pet biohacking trend grows, we're likely to see even more innovative—and possibly bizarre—ways to boost our pets' health. But at the end of the day, maybe the best "hack" for your pet's health is still the simplest: lots of love, exercise, and belly rubs. After all, isn't that what they'd ask us for if they could?

Lizz Caputo is the Manager of Content Strategy at Figo, animal enthusiast, and owner of a rescued senior American Bully. Her hobbies include checking out new restaurants in her area, boxing, and petting dogs of all shapes and sizes.