Tips for Prolonging the Lifespan of Your Dog

The longest a dog has ever lived was 29 years when in 2013, a dachshund mix dog named Max died peacefully. However, the normal lifespan of this breed of a dog is 12 to 13 years. There must have been something special done to Max to have him live that long. We are not promising that your dog can live as long as Max but when well taken care of, it is possible for a dog to live quite a long time. In this article, we shall discuss some tips that you can follow to have your dog live a long and healthy life.

Here are vital tips to help prolong the lifespan of your dog:

A healthy diet

A 2011 study shows that dogs that eat less will live longer than those that are fed more. Those that live on 25% less than the normal recommended calorie intake were said to live 2 years more than those dogs that ate more. This does not mean that one should not consult their vet about this issue. You should consult the vet but remember that a dog that has the right weight will live much longer than the obese ones. All these are characteristics that are brought about by the amounts of calories that dogs take.

The idea here is that your dog should consume a balanced diet. A diet that is natural and has less generic foods is recommended. You should not feed the dog excess sugars, generic meats and foods with unnecessary fillers. Whole foods are to be recommended here.

Your dog needs sufficient exercise

This is another important aspect of your dog’s life that will help maintain their lives and have them stay in shape always. Exercise is known to help your dog live longer. Exercise has a number of advantages to the dog, such as relieving of stress, maintenance of a healthy weight, keeping their cardiovascular system healthy and improving their muscle mass. Generally, a regular exercise regime will keep the dog happy and healthier. Socializing with other dogs is a good way to help prolong the life of the dog. You can prolong the evening walks for the dog and probably even make it a regular jogging session. Lastly, you should always have some throwable toys in your doggie bag, like these best dog frisbees. They are fun for you AND your dog, easy to replace if they get lost and quite sturdy.

Keep their minds in shape always

Mental stimulation helps dogs thrive and be happy, just like the case with people. One of the best ways to do this is by keeping the dog busy. as the dog ages, they need to be active with exercises, socialization, training and games. Some enrichment activities such as one-on-one attention can help keep your dog happy and occupied. Remember that all dogs can be taught new tricks, regardless of their age. Added simulation helps the dog to be mentally balanced all the time, hence prolonging their lives.

Follow the orders of your doctor

This is another thing that people may ignore once in a while. Starting with the normal vet visits, you should make sure that you follow the instructions of your vet. Take your dog to the vet once a year for routine checks. As the dog grows older, this should be increased to twice a year. All the instructions and advice of the vet should be strictly adhered to.