Circadian Rhythms, Pet Cancer, Diabetes, & Depression

Scientists and mathematicians at the University of Utah's Huntsman Cancer Institute and the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor are researching body clock (circadian) rhythms. Abnormal circadian rhythms are linked to cancer, diabetes, and depression.

Pets experience abnormal circadian rhythms just as people do, and pets are susceptible to cancer, diabetes, and depression just as people are. We help pets establish normal rhythms by having a daily routine. Feeding, walking, litter box changing, play, sleeping, and napping are all part of the routine.

Perhaps more than anything, napping and nighttime sleeping help establish the circadian cycle. If you notice your pet has trouble sleeping, you’ll want to address the cause. Assess whether any of the following may be making it difficult for your pet to sleep:

Anxiety due to separation; due to stray animals invading the yard; or due to rivalry for food, sleeping places, litter box access, transit through doorways due to behavior of other family pets.
Pain from arthritis, stomach ulcers, decayed teeth, glaucoma, or ear infections.
Itching from food allergies, respiratory allergies, flea bites, or dry skin.
Throbbing ears due to yeast infections secondary to allergies or ear mites.
Urinary urgency and frequency due to bladder crystals or infection.
Intestinal colic and cramping due to inability to digest food or food allergies.
Cardiac arrhythmia that may cause fainting or confusion.
Coughing due to cigarette smoke, collapsing trachea, or infectious tracheobronchitis.
Restlessness caused by noise of traffic, television, or fighting neighbors.

You can solve some of the above problems yourself, but others are best solved working with your veterinarian. Among the problems you can address:

if noise is a problem, play the Canine Lullabies to soothe your pets.
If flea bites cause your pet to wake and scratch frequently, use a flea products.
If dry skin is causing scratching, supplement with fatty acids.
If dry, flaking skin is a problem, use only high quality shampoo for bathing.
If your pet is anxious, use calming pheromones, herbs, and flower remedies.
If your pet’s ears are irritated, begin an exclusion diet to eliminate allergy-induced yeast infections. Use a female hygiene solution with vinegar and boric acid to clean ears. These products were designed for mucous membranes, are safe in dogs and are reasonably priced. Do not use products with perfumes.
If you suspect irritable bowels and intestinal cramping because your pet passes gas, consider an exclusion diet to eliminate allergic causes. Provide probiotics to repopulate your pet’s intestines with “friendly” bacteria.
If coughing is mild, use homeopathic cough supplement. Supplement with glucosamine because it soothes irritated tracheal lining, just as it soothes joint linings. .
If arthritic pain causes restlessness, use a chondroprotective medication.

If any of the above problems that don’t resolve within a short time, you’ll want veterinary help. In addition, your veterinarian should help if the following are causing sleep disturbance:

Restless, fainting due to cardiac arrhythmia,
Urinary frequency and urgency,
Bacterial ear infections,
Stomach ulcers,
Glaucoma, or
Decaying teeth.

After addressing health problems that prevent your pet from sleeping, check that it has a good bed. Your pet will appreciate everything you do to help it sleep well and establish normal circadian rhythm. And it gives us pet guardians such pleasure to watch our “babies” sleep with complete peace.