In the U.S., 63 million households have at least one dog as a pet.
Do you have a furry friend that is basically the center of your universe? For many of us, our dogs are pretty much a member of our families.
That being the case, we all want our pups to live as long as possible!
Here’s 12 ways you can help exten your dog’s lifespan.
1. Take Them on Daily Walks
If you want to extend a dog’s lifespan, you’ll want to take them on a walk every day. It’s better for their mental and physical health to go on a twenty-minute walk every day rather than long walks only on the weekend.
2. Make Sure They’re Socialized
Dogs are social animals. Making sure they are socialized means they’ll be less anxious, less stressed, and less injury-prone.
3. Keep Them Clean
Good hygiene for your pup isn’t just about them smelling fresh and looking nice. Keeping your dog clean prevents all kinds of diseases, insects, and germs from causing problems.
4. Train Your Dog Well
Keeping your dog well-trained isn’t just about showing off their “give me a paw” game. If your dog runs off-leash on a busy street, you’re going to wish you’d taught them to come when called.
5. Don’t Let Them Be Chonkers
If you really want to know how to extend a dog’s lifespan, the most important thing is that you don’t let them be obese. Through both diet and regular exercise, you can make sure your dog is around as long as possible.
6. Keep Them Away From Sugar
While dogs can eat sugar, they really shouldn’t. Regular sugar eating can result in obesity, which, as we know, can shorter their lifespan.
7. Get Regular Vet Check-ups
Take your dog to the vet regularly. This way, if anything does come up, you can catch it early on when it’s still treatable.
8. Keep Their Stress and Anxiety Low
Just like humans, stress takes its toll on dogs. The less stress and anxiety your dog experiences, the healthier they’ll be.
9. Feed Them a Healthy Diet
Research what’s in your dog’s food. Anything with sugars, generic “meat byproducts,” fillers and excess sodium should be avoided.
10. Keep Them Entertained
If your dog is bored, he can become anxious, depressed, and even sick. Keep your dog busy with games, training, socialization, one-on-one attention, and more.
11. Invest in a Breed With a Longer Lifespan
If you’re shopping around for a dog that will live a long time, know that the lifespan of a dog can depend on their size and breed. In general, smaller dogs tend to live longer than bigger dogs, and mutts tend to live longer than pure-breds.
12. Shower Them With Love
Your dog is always showering you with love. Don’t forget to return the favor! It’ll help keep their stress low, their mental stimulation high, and their life long.
In Some Ways Your Dog’s Lifespan Is in Your Hands!
While eventually, unfortunately, all dogs go to heaven, there are things you can do to make sure your dog lives as long as possible. Following these twelve tips will help you ensure you have the most time possible with your pup!
Did you love this article on extending your dog’s lifespan? If so, be sure to check out the rest of our blog!
