Many dogs live longer than one. So as your dog gets older, you’ll probably want to find out what you can do to keep him healthy. If you can afford a dog to be your pet, there are things you should do to increase his life expectancy. Your dog’s future is not set in stone, but you can make a difference by the way you take care of him. The sooner you start making some of these changes, the longer he will be, so start now. Here are some essential ideas to do for your pet.
Limit Feeding So Your Dog Stay Thin
Several studies on human longevity show that lean dogs live longer. Aside from that, your dog’s lower insulin levels are beneficial for keeping your dog healthy and live longer. One British study found that dogs fed a diet reduced to 25% calories lived about 2 years longer than dogs fed a normal diet. They had fewer joint problems as they got older. Overweight dogs worry about their joints as they develop and tend to develop arthritis as they age.
Feed Your Dog a Homemade Diet
Several vets and dog breeders suggest feeding a raw meal to your dog. A raw diet consisting of raw bones and raw beef meets your needs naturally without carbohydrates. It can lead to joint disease that reduces a pet’s life expectancy. Feeding raw bones as part of this diet can prevent your puppy from contracting dental illness until they are old enough. If your pet has bad teeth, feeding him bones every day will make him brush his teeth, and he may still need an annual dental cleaning.
Groom Your Dog Every Day
Daily combing and brushing for your dog can prevent many skin problems and even any small tumors that can harm your dog. Part of daily dental care should include teeth for many dogs who want them. Most dogs up to three years of age can develop dental disease. Therefore, if the teeth are not taken care of, plaque will turn into tartar, and bacterial blisters will spread below the gum line.
Examine Your Dog Every Week
A good grooming will warn you of many problems before they become serious to your dog. It would be best if you also did a thorough weekly check-up at home because it only takes a few moments. Start treatment immediately to give your pet a better chance at life. Even if you give your puppy a weekly evaluation, you will need to give him an annual or semi-annual check-up as he grows. An evaluation and blood test can detect a problem early on that can shorten your pet’s life.
Provide Daily Exercise and Mental Stimulation
Adequate daily exercise will help your pet stay lean, one of the most important elements in increasing their lifespan. Going for a walk a few times a day can you’re your dog healthier. During exercise, emotional stimulation can also be important to prevent your pet from developing memory loss as they age. It can also be important in stopping the growth of cognitive dysfunction in dogs. Hence, make sure your dog has routine physical and mental activity.
Consider Using Natural Methods of Flea and Tick Control
Commercially available chemical bug killers and tick killers have been studied and approved for use on dogs. Unfortunately, they have been tested on many bugs and only for a concise period. When administered, they are used for the dog’s entire life. Therefore, the puppy must have liver surgery every month to get rid of them in the system. Natural flea and tick control methods will obviously extend your dog’s lifespan and keep your dog healthy.
