We understand your need to keep your dog with you for as long as you possibly can; we feel it too. It is very important to ensure that the lack of care regarding matters of health is not responsible for cutting short their life span in anyway.
If you keep your dog in good shape, both mentally and physically, chances are they’ll be with you for years to come: most dogs live for ten to fifteen years. Yes, these tips will help you extend your dog’s life by taking care of some key issues. But even more importantly, it will help you improve the quality of their life too. You love them and want to take care of them, so here’s how.
Make Sure They Got Lots of Exerciseis not responsible for cutting short their life span in anyway
No, you don’t need to break out the doggy treadmill, completely adorable though they may be. As far as exercise is concerned, dogs are just the same as humans, and they need it just as much for the same reasons. Give your dog at least an hour of exercise every day. This does not need to be a fixed routine or regime. Instead, they can simply be let out to run around and explore, as they wish.
Oh, and aim for at least some aerobic exercise on a daily basis. This should be alongside all the walks you take them on, and your usual games. A decent amount of exercise will serve two purposes: they will improve their health as well as making sure their weight is regulated. And if you’ve got a particularly lazy dog, get them moving by luring them with treats, taking them for a swim, or reserving his favorite treat for when you take him out for walks (that is, unless there is a medical reason why you shouldn’t do that).
Ensure That They Aren’t Stressed
Yes, animals get stressed just as much as humans do, as any discerning pet owner will know. Stress makes any creature more prone to illness and aging, and that includes your dog. Keep them relaxed and anxiety free, and they will be that much healthier, not to mention a lot happier. It is important to balance out their exercise with a lot of relaxation: imagine how much energy it takes to keep jumping around like that!
The best way to keep these little guys stress free is not to force them to into activities they clearly aren’t interested in. Even when it comes to exercise, there is such a thing as doing too much at once, so try to build up to the really intense stuff like chasing balls or catching Frisbees. You’ll know when they need some space. Let them have it. Also, it is definitely true that a happy home atmosphere keeps dogs happier too.
Go to the Vet Regularly
Okay, your dog is probably like the countless others out there who really, really, REALLY hate trips to the vet. And it is equally certain that prevention is a million times more valuable than a cure, and regular checkups can help you nip any nascent problems right in the bud.
Regular checkups and vaccinations will help detect any anomaly at a very early stage, when treatment will have the maximum effect. So keep to your vet routine, and make sure that vaccinations are taken in a timely manner. How often do you need to go to the vet? A general rule of thumb would be two to four times a year for a pup and at least once a year for a fully grown dog. Also, spaying and neutering, if done at the right time in your dog’s life, can extend their life span significantly. Any questions you’ve got, such as whether your dog is really the right weight, what their calorie count should be, how to regulate their diet in the most effective way – your vet is the right person to ask, and will appreciate you taking such an interest in your dog’s welfare.
Regulate their Diets
Diet regulation is needed for a number of reasons, chief among them the fact that the obesity crisis seems to have had the same effect on dogs that it does on humans. Dogs will gain weight if they have fatty diets, if they are eating too much, or if they aren’t getting too much exercise (or any combination thereof). Everyone knows that obesity can make you really ill, but keeping your dog at a healthy weight will actually help them live longer.
Keep track of how much they’re eating, and keep to a feeding schedule. They can actually eat veggies every once in a while, and organic pet food is a great alternative to dog food that’s pretty much no pretty than junk (you know what we’re talking about). Also, sugar is BAD. And treats are great, but don’t give them too much, okay? Recent studies have actually shown that a restricted calorie diet can help your dog live longer.
Well Trained Dogs are Happy Dogs
Dogs are smart. They respond well to training, and they really live to please. So do them, and yourself, a favour by training them well, because good recall might just save their life. You don’t want them wandering on to the road with a car coming straight for them, with no idea what’s going on.
There are commands which you should practice with your dog every day of their lives, so that they understand you and respond appropriately. They include ‘sit’, ‘come’, ‘stay’ and ‘leave it’. Train them through positive reinforcement, i.e. give them a treat when they respond correctly. Reduce the treats as time goes by; sooner or later, your dog will be listening to you just to please you, without expecting a treat.
Keep Them Clean
Hygiene is important. You know that. And dogs are adorable when you give them baths. Washing your dog on a regular basis will take care of diseases, insects and germs. Fleas can be a major problem if not addressed promptly, so make sure that’s a priority. A sign that they may be having some kind of problem is when they roll around when you’ve taken them out on a walk, so keep an eye out for that.
Brushing their coats regularly (and occasionally going through them with fine toothed combs) is quite advisable. And when you wash them, be carefully that any fleas or ticks aren’t transferred to you instead. Keep their beds as clean as you keep the dogs, and take care of worms routinely.
Tooth Maintenance is Very Important
One of the most common (and problematic) health situations that dogs face is tooth decay. It’s not that tooth decay causes dental problems, though that’s bad enough. But it can actually trigger off infections throughout the body, including the kidneys and the heart. Keep their teeth and gums clean, and make sure to brush their teeth at least twice every week.
Do not, for any reason, use human toothpaste: you can actually purchase a special kit which contains toothpaste that’s good for them, as well as a small brush. Try and find a double-headed brush which you can use to clean below the gum line. If you should notice any kind of plaque buildup, then it’s time for a visit to the vet.
Dogs are Social Animals
But you already knew that, right? Letting your dog socialize with other dogs is a great idea for a whole bunch of different reasons. Chief amongst them is the fact that a socialized dog is far less stressed out or prone to anxiety. This will also keep them better behaved, and less likely to get into a sticky situation where they, or someone else, might get hurt. Especially during exercise time, let your dog play with other dogs.
They enjoy this, and it might help them maintain a healthy weight as well. As everyone knows, a happy dog is definitely a healthy dog. Just like humans, dogs benefit from having active brains, so keep them occupied. This may or may not increase their life span, but enriching their lives and improving their quality of life is just as important.
Take Care of the Bedding
Of course you need to make sure that your dog’s bed is comfortable. But make sure it isn’t too soft, because joint problems can be aggravated by the wrong kind of bedding, with far reaching consequences. Talk to an expert about the right kind of bed for your dog, because they can have just as much trouble as we do getting comfy, if not more.
They have trouble with joint issues and sore muscles just like we do, and, as they get older, arthritis as well. There a variety of different dog beds out there which are built to alleviate issues like this: it’s just a matter of finding one that’s right for your dog. An orthopedic dog bed, for example, can be a great idea.
