Dogs are amazing creatures. They have been there for humans as they have advanced from hunting in the wild to building great civilizations, conquering disease, and exploring the universe.
Almost always, there has been a dog by someone’s side, by that person’s side. We are all familiar with the saying “Man’s best friend,” but perhaps there is another saying that applies more to dogs.
As dog lovers, we know that your pup is part of the family, and you want them to be around for a long time. Dogs are living longer than ever before, just like humans.
But, just like humans, dogs can develop health complications and diseases that shorten their lifespan.
1. Have your Dog Neutered
A dog’s life span depends on several factors, including genetics, care, and environment. Small dogs have shorter life spans than large dogs do.
Dogs that have been spayed or neutered live longer than dogs that haven’t. Dogs that live in urban areas live longer than dogs that live in rural areas.
And dogs that are cared for by their owners live longer than dogs left to fend for themselves.
Has Your Dog Spayed or Neutered? Spaying your female dog or neutering your male dog will prevent many health issues and help them live longer.
Spaying a female dog before their first heat cycle can reduce their breast cancer risk by 90%. Not only will your pet be healthier, but you’ll have one less expense to worry about if you spay or neuter your dog.
2. Supervision is Vital
Supervising your dog is something you can do to ensure that your dog is happy and healthy. The truth is, dogs are like children.
Both need supervision and guidance to avoid danger and to make sure they are safe and doing well. But the fact you are reading this blog shows that you have a good heart.
For dogs living in the city, long life is full of risks. They may be exposed to diseases and parasites from other dogs and stray animals, not to mention the usual hazards of car accidents and eating poisoned food.
However, with a little extra care and a little extra cash, your dog can easily live a long and happy life.
3. Better Diet
We’ve all heard the saying that you are what you eat, but the same can be said for your pet. Our dogs and cats are often fed a diet of highly processed protein-rich foods and synthetic supplements, many of which are full of artificial ingredients that can be harmful to their health.
If you are approaching a senior age and approaching the later years of your dog’s life, you may be wondering what you can do to help your dog live a longer life.
You should know that there are some things you can do to help with this, such as a better diet and regular vet visits.
4. Emotional Support
We all want our dogs to live as long as possible, with good health and happiness. But, how can we help them achieve this goal?
Make sure always to spend more playtime with your dog. This will make them happier and stress-free.
Love and loyalty are two things that are easy to give but hard to receive. Your best friend is always there for you, and are you there for them?
If you’re looking to help your dog live a longer life, you should start by taking care of their physical needs before moving on to the more emotional issues.
5. Comfort is important
Provide a safe and comfortable place to sleep to make sure they get enough exercise and eat a balanced diet.
Regardless of what some people say, dogs do understand the language that we speak. They can distinguish between words and tone of voice and are capable of showing a range of emotions.
Just as we take care of our dogs, it is also important that our dogs should be comfortable and relaxed when at home or in the car.
6. Provide them Toys
Whether you have a new puppy or a full-grown dog, you know that each has its unique personality.
That’s why the best way to keep your dog happy and healthy involves a little bit of knowledge, a lot of love, and a wide variety of toys.
Aside from making them happy, they will also have an active lifestyle.
They need to have a purpose and a place to belong. They need to feel safe, to protect their families, a worthy member of the pack. Dogs need to interact with each other.
They need to feel included. Dogs need to have fun. Toys are one of the best ways to enrich your dog’s life and make him feel safe, included, and loved.
7. Vaccinate your Dog
Every dog owner wants their dog to live as long as possible. Unfortunately, one of the most common reasons for a dog’s early death is the lack of preventative care.
Just like humans, dogs also age gracefully. As they get older, they may develop certain health problems, but it’s not inevitable.
By taking care of the important things, like heartworm prevention, vaccinations, and dental hygiene, you can help your dog live a longer and healthier life.
8. Use a dog bed instead of the couch.
Your dog will feel more at home with a dog bed. The couch’s cushions may be comfortable, but they are hard for a dog to get up from.
9. Feed your dog a high-quality dog food
Branded kibble will have the right combination of nutrients for your dog. If you are in the position to provide this for your dog, make sure to do it. It will make his muscles stronger and his body active.
You know that you should be feeding your dog high-quality dog food, but all the recommendations out there seem to contradict each other.
Some say that dog food should be low-fat, others that your dog needs a certain protein percentage. Many claim that you should be mixing wet and dry food, while others recommend that dry dog food is best.
So, what should you do? As with humans, a balanced diet is a key to healthy, long-lived dogs. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, so it’s up to you to figure out what works best for your particular pet.
10. Make Sure to Keep Your Dog Clean
Cleaning your dog is not something you want to do, but it’s something you have to do. And it’s not just about keeping your dog clean. It’s about keeping your dog healthy.
After all, it’s not a matter of if your dog will get sick. It’s a matter of when. How clean you keep your dog can have a big effect on his or her chances of getting sick or injured.
11. Keep Up a Daily Routine for your Pet
Dogs are known for being very energetic, but that doesn’t mean they should be running laps around the house all day long. Most dogs need a daily routine that keeps them active but also keeps them healthy.
12. Socialize Your Pet with Other Dogs
One of the easiest and most effective ways to socialize your dog is to take him/her to the local dog park. Dog parks are an excellent place to interact with other dogs and their owners, which will help your dog learn how to socialize with other dogs.
Since you don’t know if your dog has had socialization issues before, it’s always a good idea to bring treats to the dog park. (This is another reason why it’s a good idea to introduce your dog to the dog park when he’s young.)
However, if you are going to be near other dogs, you should always be on the lookout for signs of aggression in your dog.
There is a lot you can do to help your dog live a longer and healthier life. While there are no guarantees when it comes to your dog’s longevity, taking certain steps can go a long way toward helping your dog stay healthy and happy for years to come.
It seems obvious that the best way to help your dog live the longest life possible is to feed it high-quality dog food, make sure it gets regular exercise and plenty of freshwaters, and take it to the vet for regular check-ups.
But there are other steps you can take to ensure your dog enjoys a longer life. Feeding your dog healthy treats is one way to ensure it doesn’t get bored with the diet it does get, and playing games and training your dog to participate in activities like agility and obedience classes can help keep it active.
The best way to keep your dog healthy for years to come is to keep it well-cared for.
