If you are on this page, you surely want to know some tips for extending your dog’s life expectancy. This is understandable because our pets are family members, and nearly every owner can agree it would be best if our furry friends could live as long as humans. While that isn’t possible, taking great care of your dog helps increase its life expectancy and reduces the risk of developing health problems. This guide will give you the must-know tips for extending your dog’s life expectancy.
Tips to Increase Your Dog’s Lifespan
Below are some tips that can help you keep your dog happy, and healthy for a long time.
Brush the Teeth of Your Dog
Like people, dogs need their teeth brushed to fight plaque buildup. Periodontal diseases are so common in dogs that almost 2/3 of all dogs above the age of 3 years suffer from some form of periodontal disease. Tooth decay can also lead to gingivitis, stinky breath, and pulled teeth. Bacteria in your pup’s mouth can easily get into their bloodstream and weaken their overall health.
All of this can be avoided by brushing your dog’s teeth. Aim to brush your pup’s teeth at least once a day. Moreover, they should get their teeth cleaned by the Veterinarian on an annual basis. Professional tooth cleaning helps thoroughly remove any tartar that may be stuck.
Maintain a Proper Diet
Pet dogs depend on their owners for food, water, and shelter. Providing a proper diet with all the nutrients is very crucial for the maintenance of your dog’s health. Be careful when choosing food for your dog. Ideally, you should consult your veterinarian before starting any food for your dog. If you want to change your dog’s diet, don’t do it abruptly. This transition should be slow.
Avoid sharing your food with your dog. While those begging puppy-dog eyes may be hard to deny, fight off the temptation to feed your pet table scraps. Most foods we term table scraps aren’t healthy for your pooch. If you want to share some tasty human food with your dog, go for the following:
- Eggs
- Apples
- Pumpkin
- Blueberries
- Chicken
- Salmon
All these foods are rich in nutrients and great for your pup. However, when it comes to this tip for extending your dog’s life expectancy, avoid feeding your dog raw poultry products or uncooked fish. Raw chicken or egg increases the risk of your dog contracting salmonella. Salmonella are pathogenic bacteria that are responsible for causing some serious health problems in humans as well as dogs and other animals.
Furthermore, while the complex carbs found in fruits, potatoes, and brown rice are healthy, these foods aren’t ideal for all dogs. These are among the top foods you shouldn’t feed diabetic dogs, as they directly impact glucose levels. This can make your dog overweight and even obese.
Get Ample Exercise
Every breed has differing recommended activity levels. Sport and working dogs—such as labs, German shepherds, boxers, Doberman pinschers, and Irish setters—have high activity levels. This means these breeds require longer walks and other forms of physical activity for at least two hours a day. You should learn different ways to keep your dog involved and interested in exercise.
Exercise goes beyond increasing your dog’s heart rate. Maintain your canine’s brain health using a snuffle mat or by testing new walking paths. You can make cheap toys at your home to keep your dog entertained. A game of hide-and-seek is also great for mental enrichment. Here are some easy tricks for mental stimulation in dogs. Historically, all dogs had specific jobs—none were couch potatoes. Keeping their mind engaged helps prevent canine anxiety and depression.
Visit Your Veterinarian Regularly
Your dog should visit the Vet at least once a year, but more often if there is an emergency or health complications. Keep your dog updated on its vaccination shots. Vaccinations protect your dog against some serious viral diseases.
If you have a senior dog, you should visit your veterinarian twice a year for regular checkups. Breeds such as Chihuahuas, beagles, and cocker spaniels require more frequent visits to the Veterinarian to get their anal glands expressed. Ignoring this responsibility could lead to impacted or infected anal glands, which is quite painful for your dog.
Additional Tips for Extending Your Dog’s Life Expectancy
Below are some additional tips for extending your dog’s life expectancy.
- If you want your dog to stay around for a long time with you, you should dog-proof your house. That means covering wires and other hazardous materials that can result in fatal accidents.
- Accidents can happen at any time, your pet can fall prey to any sickness at any time. You should save some money for such emergencies so your pet doesn’t suffer due to a lack of money in your pocket.
- Staying educated about what is best for your dog is very important. There are a lot of resources available online that can help you take better care of your dog, thus adding years to your best friend’s life.
Pets are an integral part of our lives, so we want them to be around for as long as possible. Brushing your dog’s teeth and exercising them regularly not only keep your dog healthy but also help you strengthen your bond of mutual love. You should follow these tips for extending your dog’s life expectancy.