Throughout history, dogs have been a trusted companion to the human race - providing us with companionship, protection and so much more. As dedicated dog owners, it’s natural to love our precious pups more than anything in the world. Part of that love is doing the best we can by them during their sadly limited time with us.
If your dog is getting older, or you simply want to be proactive, it’s a good idea to do some research and make sure you are doing all you can to prolong their lives in a painless way.
So what can you safely do at home to increase your dog’s lifespan? Find out below:
See Your Vet Regularly And Get Those Vaccines
In most cases, prevention is better than cure. Taking your dog to the vet regularly for checkups will help you to stay up to date on their health and pick up any health issues before they get too serious. This also applies to getting vaccines for your dog and deworming them on a regular basis.
But how often is often enough when it comes to these checkups? We recommend that your dog see a vet once a year at minimum, and to increase that number to three times a year for puppies or senior dogs.
Check Your Dog’s Teeth
Did you know that dental issues can be dangerous for dogs? This is because problems like tooth decay can cause infections to spread through your dog’s body and may even cause heart or kidney failure if left untreated.
You can check your pup’s teeth and gums regularly at home and then ask a vet to check as well during your routine visits. Their gums and teeth should be relatively clean with no dark or raw spots.
There are also teeth-cleaning kits for dogs that give dog owners a special toothbrush and paste formulated for canines.
Just like with your teeth, you want to brush your dog’s regularly. Check them a few times a week, and if you notice any plaque build up schedule an appointment with your veterinarian.
Get Your Dog Exercising
Just like humans, dogs need to get lots of physical exercises to keep their mobility and joints healthy. Depending on the breed of dog you have, it may require as much as an hour and a half of exercise per day to keep them fit and manage their weight.
You don’t necessarily have to make all this time active playtime. Even letting your dog get outside time where they can run and sniff around will make a difference. If your dog already has issues with pain like arthritis, look into swimming and other alternatives that are low stress on the joints but still get your dog moving.
Exercise Your Dog’s Mind
Your dog will also need mental stimulation to keep them stimulated and happy - this is especially important if they have trouble staying home by themselves. Dogs that become bored can easily become depressed or anxiety-ridden, leading to either lethargy or destructive behavior at home.
As your dog gets older, you can keep their minds sharp by taking them through basic training techniques, playing games with them like hiding treats, giving them one-on-one attention, and more.
Many dog toys today are targeted at alleviating boredom, offering more interactivity. Invest in a few and keep them handy around the house while you are out so your pup has something to do.
Stay Aware
The person closest to your dog is you, and so it’s your job to stay aware of their wellbeing.
If you notice any behavioral changes in your dog, you are the best person to do something about it. Whether that is changing training approaches, offering more exercise, or taking them to the vet for a checkup, you need to stay on top of how your dog is doing.
We Are Bradenton's Local Pet Healthcare Center
Companion Veterinary and Urgent Care Center is the only veterinary hospital in Bradenton/Sarasota that provides urgent and wellness care, which allows us to provide a “whole pet” approach to your furry family member’s health.
Our modern, clean facility allows us to provide the highest quality care for your pet; ranging from vaccines, wellness lab testing, basic outpatient treatment of wounds, infections, and illnesses to inpatient intensive care/medical management with continuous monitoring as well as emergency lifesaving surgery.
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