It makes perfect sense that you would want your dog to live a long, healthy, and happy life. After all, they’re not only your pet, but they are a member of your family.
If you would like to ensure they enjoy many wonderful years within your home, read these six top tips for increasing your dog’s lifespan.
- Treat Them Like an Athlete
Many professional trainers and veterinary nutritionists believe the key to a dog’s long life is to eat less food and maintain a lean physique. It’s for this reason why many canine athletes, such as racing greyhounds and sled dogs, keep their body condition score between 4/9 and 5/9 within a 9-point scale. Using working dog nutritional requirements could help your pet to reach old age without injury or illness.
- Increase Their Consumption of Omega-3 Fatty Acid
There are polyunsaturated fats within both omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, which can decrease inflammation in dogs. It can, therefore, prevent them from developing painful joints as they grow older. While their diet will likely contain omega-6 fatty acids, you might need to supplement omega-3 by introducing high-quality fish oil and sardines.
- Add Antioxidants into Their Diet
Slow down the aging process in your pet pooch by adding antioxidants into their diet, as they can eliminate free radicals in the body that cause aging. For example, raw vegetables will ensure your pet enjoys many antioxidants throughout the years, so they can maintain a young, healthy body. Acerola, a fruit, is also an excellent source of Vitamin C and offers many antioxidants.
- An Active Lifestyle
In addition to incorporating the right foods into your canine’s diet, they also must enjoy an adequate amount of exercise each day, which can keep them lean and healthy. A brisk walk a couple of times per day could add years onto your pet’s life while providing mental stimulation. As a result, they are less likely to develop memory loss in their older years.
- Care for Their Mind
Dogs require mental stimulation to enjoy a happy life. If they are often bored each day, they could develop anxiety, depression, or an illness, which could cut their life short. It is essential to keep their mind active to extend their lifespan.
Consider the below ways to keep them mentally stimulated:
- Dog training
- Socializing with other dogs
- Playing games
- One-on-one attention
- Dog toys
If you can keep their mind and body busy each day, your dog will thrive throughout the years and could live to a grand old age.
- Brush Their Teeth
Most humans are aware that their dental hygiene can determine their overall health, and dogs are no exception. If you fail to regularly brush your canine’s teeth, they could develop a build-up of plaque, gingivitis, and gum disease. What’s more, they could suffer with a bacterial infection inside their mouth that could cause organ damage or heart disease. Prevent these complications from arising by staying on top of their oral hygiene.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
Speak Your Mind