Ways To Increase Your Dogs Life Expectancy
Anyone who has ever owned a dog will know how heartbreaking it is when they eventually pass away. Sadly, no dog can live forever, but there are things that we can do as their owners that can help to ensure that they get to live the longest and healthiest life possible. So if you want to make sure that your dog is around for as long as possible, then here are 5 ways that you could increase their life expectancy.
Spay or neuter them
Unless you plan to breed from your dog, then it’s always best practice to have them spayed or neutered to stop unwanted puppies, but did you know that having your dog spayed or neutered could increase their life expectancy too. Spayed and neutered dogs live on average 3 years longer than those that aren’t, primarily because they are less susceptible to hormone-related cancers such as testicular or mammary gland cancer.
Feed them a natural diet
Budget dog food is often filled with grains and other things that wouldn’t naturally be present in a dog’s diet. Wherever possible, try to feed your dog the best dog food that you can afford, ensuring that he gets the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients he needs to thrive. As your dog ages, switch to adult and then senior dog food varieties as these often contain additional supplements to help them through their older years and recover Goldendoodle shedding.
Give him plenty of exercises
Just like humans, dogs need exercise to keep their cardiovascular system healthy. Without regular exercise, your dog is at risk of becoming overweight which can lead to heart problems, arthritis, and diabetes. The amount of exercise your dog needs will depend on its breed and if you are unsure then you can always ask your veterinarian for advice.
Have regular checkups with your vet
People tend to put off taking their pets to the vet unless something is wrong with them, but by this time it can be too late to cure some diseases. Try to take your dog to the vet for a checkup at least once a year. This will enable the vet to check for early signs of malicious issues such as cancer, and they can also offer you advice on other areas of dog care such as dental hygiene and grooming.
Increase Dogs Life Expectancy: Always protect your dog from fleas and ticks
Aside from being nasty pests that you wouldn’t want in your home, fleas and ticks can cause your dog serious discomfort, not to mention they can also transmit some seriously horrible diseases that can potentially kill him.
Some areas are more prone to fleas and ticks than others, but it only takes one flea to start an infestation and one tick to pass on a deadly disease. To protect your pet, remain vigilant, keep their fur clean and well-brushed so that you can easily see if they are carrying an imposter.
If you do see a flea or a tick, then you should treat your pet immediately with flea or tick killer and you may want to consider dosing them with a flea or tick prevention treatment that will kill any future ticks or fleas that bite them.
