The average dog lives between 10 and 13 years, with smaller dogs living longer than their larger counterparts. But veterinarians agree that there are several things pet owners can do to extend the life of their beloved pooches.
The Sacramento Bee collated advice and tips from the pet experts. One of which, Dr. Madeline Yamate, founder of the Center for Integrative Animal Medicine in Davis, suggests healthy diets, exercise and regular checkups are key.
"It's just like going to the mechanic – you need to have regular checks to see if there are problems," she told The Sacramento Bee. "Your dog may look fine to you, but may be in the early stages of a disease. If we catch it early enough, we may be able to turn that around."
According to the experts, here are the four best things to do to keep your dog healthier for longer:
1. Keep them lean
Dr. Elizabeth Murphy, the author of How to Age-Proof Your Dog, says keeping your dog trim and healthy is important in adding on those extra years. Obesity can cause many problems, including being susceptible to diabetes and cancer, so owners need to be aware of what they are feeding their canines.
"It's totally in our control, how heavy they are," she says. "We choose dog foods for our dogs, we choose how much we feed them, we choose what treats to give them, and we govern a lot of their energy expenditure."
So mind you don't give your dog too many dinner scraps!
2. Brush their teeth
Murphy also suggests that brushing your dog's teeth twice a week is important to remove plaque. If left, the plaque can result in gum disease and bacteria spreading to the rest of the body, affecting the kidney, liver and heart.
There are specially designed chew toys and dog toothpaste to help clean their teeth.
3. Play games
Experts reveal that it is important to find something active that both you and your pooch enjoy so that you will do it regularly. Games are the best as they present a challenge and can keep their brain active.
"It helps engage their mind and keep them active," dog instructor Alice Symons says. "People tell me that their dogs, once they go home from their nose work classes, they're completely exhausted and they just sleep."
4. Show them love
Affection, safety and love can work wonders in prolonging your dog's life. Treating your dog like a member of the family will only add to their health and wellbeing.
"It's very very important to take your dog out every day, even if it's just to the post box or for a ride in the car, because it's stimulating," Yamate says. "Dogs are pack animals – they want to go places with you and be with you."
