Senior Dog Longevity and Cognitive Decline: What You're Actually Missing with Carter Easler

Prefer video? Watch on YouTube. Cognitive decline affects thirty percent of dogs by age ten — yet most guardians are told there's nothing that can be done. Carter Easler, a clinical researcher in functional medicine, spent years caring for senior and hospice dogs in rescue, and what he learned changed how he thinks about aging, whole-dog health, and the quiet changes we can make before symptoms become crises. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN How to recognize the early signs of cognitive decline in your dog — including changes to sleep, disorientation, and shifts in temperament that often go unnoticed Why sleep quality is one of the most underrated pillars of longevity and resilience in dogs, and how tracking rest patterns can reveal what's really happening beneath the surface How intermittent fasting for dogs — restricting their eating window to eight to ten hours a day — supports gastrointestinal health, liver function, and cognitive clarity What root cause thinking looks like in practice, and why issues like reactivity, allergies, and anxiety often trace back to gut health and inflammation How to collaborate with your vet even when your approaches don't fully align — including what questions to ask, what information to bring, and when it might be time to find a more integrative partner Why the best diet for your dog isn't about perfection, but about whole foods, minimal processing, and what's realistic for your life and budget How to create an "ideal day" baseline for your dog that makes it easier to notice subtle changes, track progress over time, and show up to vet visits prepared A FAVOURITE MOMENT "There's no such thing as too late, even with our older dogs." — Carter ABOUT CARTER EASLER Carter Easler is a clinical researcher in functional medicine and the founder of Rootd Pet, where he helps guardians build whole-dog health plans alongside their vets. His work with aging dogs began in animal rescue, caring for senior and hospice dogs who had been surrendered because their families were told nothing more could be done. That experience led him to serve as Principal Investigator of The Senior Dog Study, a twelve-week study of a mushroom-based supplement in dogs with cognitive decline, published in the Journal of Clinical Medical Research in 2025. Carter has spent a decade teaching vets, retailers, and pet parents about cannabinoid and mushroom science — and he's known for making complex research usable, and for being honest about where the evidence is strong and where it's thin. CONNECT WITH CARTER EASLER Website: rootdpet.com Instagram: @rootdpet Free resource (Vet Visit Playbook): rootdpet.com/soultouched CONNECT WITH SOUL TOUCHED BY DOGS To find out more about Soul Touched by Dogs, visit soultouchedbydogs.com. And if you're a dog lover who wants community, trusted expert resources and coaching to create a calmer, happier, healthier life with your dog, come find us at planetcalm.co — the Ultimate Hub for dogs, the people who love them.