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Wanna see how to help your dog live longer? Here is the list of the top 10 things that extend a dog’s life that owners fail to do.
Why?
Ignorance of dog owners cost dogs to live less. However, scientists reveal 10 things you can do to change it. It will increase natural dog lifespan. Will you?
Ok, let’s see how to extend a dog’s life.
Shall we?
TOP 10 Things That Extend A Dog’s Life
I made research and concluded which are the best things owners can do to extend a dog’s lifespan. If you want to provide your pet a longer life then you are in the right place.
How long can your dog live?
There are various dog breeds in the world but dogs live 10 – 13 years on average. Here is the list of the top 10 dog breeds with the shortest lifespan.
For them, it is crucial to do the following things. Which ones?
Top 10 things that extend a dog’s life:
10. Training
Physical stimulation is one of the essentials for health and good behavior, but also the longevity of a dog. Why?
Physical stimulation:
- helps keep the dog’s cardiovascular system healthy,
- helps keep them at a healthy weight,
- improves their mood,
- reduces stress,
- etc.
Physical activity is a vital component, no matter what kind of breed you own.
However, most owners know the importance of physical stimulation and rarely does anyone ignore it. That’s why it only comes in at tenth place on the list, even though it is one…
…of the most crucial factors for a dog’s lifespan.
9. Flea, Worm, And Tick Prevention
It’s vital to keep your dog free of ticks, fleas, and worms.
These parasites can be the cause of various health problems for your dog, which can have a detrimental effect on their already short lives.
While fleas are:
- mostly irritating and cause allergies,
- worms might make a dog start coughing and vomiting.
Ticks can be even more dangerous and are fatal for the dog in the worst-case scenarios. For more check my article ticks on dogs.
Some signs you should never ignore:
- loss of appetite,
- coughing,
- swelling,
- of the legs and joints,
- seizures,
- kidney
- failure.
In such cases, it’s crucial to take your dog to the vet as soon as possible.
8. Regular Checkups
Many owners only bring their dogs to the vet when they get sick and need medical assistance. In these kinds of cases, prevention tends to be a neglected aspect.
Understandably,…
…owners who live in less populated areas might not have easy access to well-equipped vet clinics for preventive care.
However, in urban areas, vet clinics tend to be much better equipped.
They can perform various kinds of tests to help catch illnesses at an early stage and provide adequate care. After all, it’s best to treat any health problems before they’ve had time to develop.
Naturally, if you like your veterinarian, you can always ask them about your dog’s…
- weight,
- diet,
…and anything else that’s necessary for your dog’s optimal development. If you have access to a good vet clinic, make sure to bring your dog over for…
…regular preventive checkups.
7. Happy Life
As a general rule, dogs that lead happy lives also live longer.
Although this is common sense, the question of how to make your dog happy is much more complicated.
I made a video…
…about the top 10 things dogs adore and can brighten your pet’s day and generally improve their lives.
Some of the suggestions are:
- take your dog to hang out with other dogs,
- reward your dog and pet them often,
- react to your dog’s non-verbal signs.
These are just some of the recommendations; for a more detailed list, take a look at the video.
6. Take Care Of Your Dog’s Weight
Although dogs with a few excess pounds are sometimes cute, they aren’t healthy.
If you and your family want your dog to be with you for a long time, don’t let them gain too much weight. An overweight dog is unhealthy and generally doesn’t live for long.
Why?
Obesity in dogs leads to:
- bone and joint diseases,
- heart problems,
- diabetes,
- formation of tumors.
Make sure to check whether your dog’s breed is prone to obesity. Also, take note of the types of food and the number of calories…
…your dog eats in a day.
5. Low Stress
Our dogs often get stressed without us even being aware of it. Situations that may seem entirely banal to us can be the cause of extreme stress for our dogs.
Some signs of stress in dogs:
- tucked tail and ears pinned back,
- dilated pupils and rapid blinking,
- excessive shedding,
- digestive problems,
- shaking.
So now you know how to tell whether your dog is stressed, but how can you help them?
There are six techniques for reducing stress in dogs.
Some are conventional, such as:
- creating a safe zone,
- eliminating things that trigger them,
- and playing with them.
Some less known tricks are playing music (check dog music therapy) for them and introducing them to triggers in a controlled manner.
The best technique to apply will depend on the source of their stress.
4. Dietary Supplements
Supplements can be a great addition to your dog’s diet and help satisfy their nutritional requirements.
Aside from that, they can serve as prevention or even as a cure.
If your dog is prone to tumors, giving them some omega-3 capsules with antioxidants can do wonders in helping prevent issues.
Is there a dietary supplement specifically for longevity?
Some supplements focused on longevity do exist. They are particularly useful for older dogs, bringing back their vitality and bodily processes that dogs lose over time.
These supplements usually…
…come in the form of capsules; you’ll find the link to one of these products in the video description. Coming up, the top 3 things that extend a dog’s life that owners fail to do.
Ready?
3. Dental Hygiene
Many dog owners aren’t aware of (or even forget) the importance of their dog’s dental health. It’s vital to keep your dog’s teeth clean since it will help prevent various illnesses.
Which ones?
Bad dental hygiene can lead to:
- gum disease,
- gingivitis,
- bacterial infections of the mouth,
- etc.
The good news is that maintaining your dog’s dental hygiene is very simple. Aside from brushing, you can always give them teeth cleaning toys or dental chews.
Be sure to keep up with your dog’s dental hygiene.
2. Mental Training
Just as physical stimulation, mental stimulation is also of great importance.
Dogs are smart creatures that like thinking and working. The best thing you can do is to train them. Why?
You can train any dog, regardless of their level of:
- hyperactivity,
- stubbornness,
- intelligence.
Many owners fear that trying to train their dogs might be mistreating them.
Is dog training maltreatment?
No way.
Dogs love spending time with their owners, being productive, having a purpose, and of course, they adore treats!
Training isn’t…
…useful only for dogs, but also for their owners! You’ll form a special bond with your pet, resulting in mutual satisfaction.
For more information, you can watch my video on basic dog training.
Aside from training, you can give your dog some work to do. Shepherds like guarding flocks, but you can also…
…give dogs tasks such as:
- protecting the yard,
- bringing mail,
- tidying up toys,
- fetching newspapers,
- going to the store,
- etc.
Give your dog a purpose, and they’ll be happier, healthier, and live longer.
1. Dog Food
Good nutrition is the basis for your dog’s health and longevity.
As with us humans, certain foods contain ingredients that are not good for dogs. I have a article on 34 worst dog foods that you must avoid at all costs.
Some hidden unhealthy ingredients:
- bad preservatives,
- artificial dyes,
- white flour,
- corn,
- soy.
Of course, this is not an exhaustive list, so I suggest you take a look at the video with complete list.
That way,…
…you can avoid toxic ingredients that have a detrimental effect on their health.
I also talk about how to choose:
- the best dog food (check 6 tips for choosing the right dog food),
- the most cost-effective dog food.
While the best dog food is high-quality but expensive, the most cost-effective foods will give you a balance…
…between quality, amount, and price.
Final Words
In this article, you could see the list of the top 10 things that extend a dog’s life. This list is made by research.
I know that there are many other advice.
However, it provides a great view of the things that actually work and provide your dog a longer and happier life.
However, every dog breed has its lifespan,…
…and we can’t work miracles. These little secrets will help you push the limits and allow your best friend a few more years of a happy life.
Wanna see more lists?
I hope you enjoy the list of things that extend a dog’s lifespan and I hope you will enjoy reading them too.
I’m a dog food judge. I specialize in examining dog food nutrition so that I can recommend you food that will preserve your dog’s health and extend his life. Good food will help you prevent dog health problems like obesity, diabetes, pancreatitis, gastroenteritis, nutritional imbalance, and many others. Also, by preventing serious illnesses you won’t have to pay huge veterinarian bill later.
