Anti-Aging Tips for Dogs. 12 Simple Secrets That Will Extend Your Dog s Life

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2 Anti-Aging Tips for Dogs 12 Simple Secrets That Will Extend Your Dog s Life

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4 Introduction As a dog owner, you want your beloved pet to be with you for as long as possible. Dogs have lived alongside human beings for thousands of years. Now, there are over 400 million dogs in the world. Loyal, friendly and cute, dogs make wonderful companions. Whether it s the simply adorable Bichon Frise, or the majestic and fiercely loyal German Shepherd, there are over 300 different dog breeds in the world. Dogs make popular pets due to their friendly and loyal nature. On average, dogs live between 10 to 14 years. Compared to human beings, this is a very short lifespan. Lifespan tends to vary between breeds. For example, the French Mastiff only has a very short life expectancy of 5 to 8 years, while the Chihuahua has a long life expectancy of 14 to 18 years. No matter what dog breed they own, dog owners simply cherish their dogs, and want them to live as long as possible. Fortunately, there are many simple things that you can do to make your dog live longer.

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6 Chapter 1 Everyday Care Secrets Food, medical care and exercise all have an effect on your dog s lifespan, but your pet s everyday care can also have an effect on your pet s life expectancy. These surprising everyday care secrets can add years to your pet s life. 1. Keep your Dog s Teeth Healthy Dogs love eating and chewing on everything from tennis balls to sticks, which means that their teeth and gums take a great deal of wear of tear. If you don t take proper care of your dog s teeth, your pet will likely develop dental problems. The most common dental problem found in dogs is tooth decay. It s important to prevent tooth decay, as it can cause infections in other parts of your dog s body. The best way to prevent tooth decay is to brush your dog s teeth regularly. When you adopt a dog, you should get it used to having its teeth brushed at an early age. You should brush your dog s

7 teeth twice per week, using toothpaste that is specially formulated for dogs. Never use toothpaste that is designed for humans to brush your dog s teeth, as these contain ingredients that aren t suitable for pets. You can purchase small tooth brushes designed for dogs, and tooth brushing kits for dogs in many pet stores. Some older dogs that haven t had their teeth brushed from a young age may not respond well to it, so may have to have it done by a vet. If your dog has a buildup of plaque on its teeth, then you will need to take your pet to vet to have this removed. Good oral hygiene can add up to four years to your dog s lifespan.

8 2. Limit Stress and Anxiety Happy, stress-free dogs tend to live much longer than dogs that live in a stressful and anxious environment. The best way to ensure your dog is stress-free and happy, is to ensure that they get love, attention, affection and rest. Dogs love the company of others and cherish attention from their owners. Dogs that are left alone for long periods of time can develop separation anxiety. Dogs that aren t given enough love, affection and attention will become lonely, depressed and frustrated, and will likely develop behavioral problems. It s important that you never leave your dog alone for more than six hours at a time. If you have to work longer hours, then try to get a friend or family member to check in on your pet, or go home during your lunch hour if you can. While dogs love exercise and attention, just like people, dogs need their relaxation time too. Dogs that aren t given enough time to relax become stressed. Like in human beings, stress can shorten a dog s lifespan. Stress can lower a dog s immune system, making them more susceptible to health

9 problems. Dogs with a lot of stress in their lives may have a shorter lifespan. Lots of noise and people around the house can make your dog feel stressed. Try to provide your dog with a couple of hours of relaxation time per day, where they can simply rest without being bothered by other people. If your dog has time to rest and recuperate every day, then they will be much healthier and much happier overall. Also, if you have children, or other animals, make sure that they treat your dog properly, and don t make your dog feel anxious. Limiting stress and anxiety in your dog s life can vastly expand their lifespan.

10 3. Obedience Training Obedience training is very important for dog owners. All dogs, whether big or small need to be trained. People who own small dogs often believe that because their dogs are only little, they don t need obedience training. However, small dogs, like large dogs, which aren t properly trained will most likely develop behavioral problems. Dogs are loyal animals, which have been bred to work alongside human beings in a wide variety of roles. From the Komondor, which was first bred to guard and protect livestock in Hungary, to the Golden Retriever, which was originally bred to retrieve game and waterfowl in Scotland, dogs have assisted human beings with a number of different tasks, throughout history. This means that naturally, most dog breeds want to please their owners, so they respond well to training. Dogs respond well to positive training, and you should never hit or yell at a dog, as this will only instill fear, and give your dog behavioral problems.

11 Obedience training ensures that your dog is well-adjusted and happy, but it can also increase your pet s life span. Dog s that are trained to sit, stay, leave and come over, tend to be safer and risk less injury or illness than those that aren t trained. For example, dogs that aren t well trained will often eat things that they aren t supposed to, and don t listen when their owner calls them over. In this situation, dogs can often eat things that are poisonous to them or contain harmful pesticides. Untrained dogs are also more likely to run off into roads and injure themselves.

12 4. Avoid Exposing your Pet to Toxins There are many chemicals found in every day household cleaning products, and items that can be very toxic to your dog. Dogs that are exposed to chemicals, as well as other toxins can develop health problems like cancer. This is why it is very important to avoid using items, like cleaning products around your pet. When you need to use cleaning products, put your dog in another room, while you do so, and then make sure that you properly rinse any surfaces or objects that you have used these products on. Also, if there are any items that have been chemically treated in your home, do not let your dog chew on them.

13 5. Use Sunscreen Like with human beings, too much sun exposure can be bad for a dog s health. Sun damage in dogs can lead to skin cancer, and therefore, it can shorten your dog s lifespan. Certain dogs are very prone to sunburn, which can be painful and itchy for your pet. If you want to ensure that your pet lives as long as possible, then you need to take a few extra precautions during the summer months. Dogs that are most prone to sunburn and skin cancer are those that have pale skin, light fur, or a thin coat. If your pet has any of those traits, then you need to use sunscreen on them when you take them outside in hot weather. Purchase sunscreen that is specially formulated for dogs or babies. Apply this sunscreen to the areas of your pet that are the most exposed, like the back, the nose, the skin around the mouth, and the ears, especially the tips. This will keep your dog s skin protected from the sun, and prevent sunburn.

14 Chapter 2 Medical Care Providing your dog with medical care can have a significant effect on its life expectancy. If you want to extend your dog s life, you need to ensure that you provide your pet with trips to the vet, and other medical care. 6. Neuter or Spay your Dog When your pet isn t spayed, if it s a female, or neutered if it s a male and you aren t a professional breeder, then it can lead to unwanted litters. One of the reasons why there are so many dogs in animal shelters is because people don t get their pets spayed or neutered, which leads to accidental litters. Neutering or spaying your dog is not only responsible, but it can also make your pet live longer. Neutering a male dog offers many health benefits. Male dogs that have been neutered reduce their risk of developing testicular cancer by 100%. It also reduces their risk of developing tumors, hernias and prostate cancer. Male dogs

15 that haven t been neutered are also at a higher risk of wandering off in search of a mate, and injuring themselves. According to statistics, 85% of dogs that are hit by cars aren t neutered or spayed. Female dogs can benefit from being spayed in a number of ways. Dogs that are spayed vastly reduce their risk of getting breast cancer. Spaying also reduces the chance of a dog getting ovarian or uterine cancer by 100%. Overall, getting our dog neutered or spayed will prevent it from developing health problems, like cancer in the future, and extend its lifespan.

16 7. Regular Trips to the Vet It s important that your pet has access to regular veterinary care, as it can significantly increase your dog s lifespan. When your dog seems ill, they should be taken to the vet as soon as possible, but maintaining your pet s health is also important. You should take your dog for regular checkups at the vet and ensure that your pet is up to date with its vaccinations. Vaccinating your dog prevents them from picking up a range of illnesses, so it s very important for increasing your dog s lifespan. Taking your pet for regular checkups can also help to detect health problems and diseases early on, which means that they can be more successfully treated. It is recommended that puppies be taken to the vet two to four times per year, and adult dogs should be taken to the vet for checkups once per year. While it may seem more expensive to visit the vet for regular checkups, it can actually save you money in the long run. Health problems, when detected early, are usually easier to treat and less expensive to treat.

17 Chapter 3 Exercise and Stimulation While medical care, diet and everyday care can make your pet live longer, both physical and mental stimulation also have an effect on your pet s life expectancy. 8. Walk your Dog Daily Dogs need regular exercise to ensure that they are healthy, happy and well adjusted. Providing your dog with regular exercise will make it healthier and happier overall, but it will also extend its lifespan. No matter what dog breed you have, you must ensure that your dog is taken out for a walk, and exercised daily. Dogs have a natural instinct to roam, and if this instinct isn t met with a daily walk outside, then your pet can become frustrated, destructive and depressed and it can also develop other behavioral problems. Providing your dog with regular exercise also improves its cardiovascular health, and prevents many illnesses and

18 diseases, which, in turn, increases its lifespan. Dogs who aren t exercised regularly can also become obese, which can significantly shorten their lifespan. Certain dog breeds require more exercise than others, so make sure that you do some research into your particular breed to see what level of exercise is recommended. If you are unsure, it is best to consult your vet. Dogs need to be walked every day, at least once per day, so don t leave walks to the weekend alone. You could take your dog on a walk, a hike or even a jog with you and you ll both benefit from the health boost that exercise offers. In addition to walks, you should also play games with your dog, like fetch. It s also a good idea to let your dog run around and play with other dogs. It is great exercise for your pet, and it helps to socialize your dog.

19 9. Offer Mental Stimulation Dogs need a great deal of exercise, but in addition to physical stimulation, dogs need mental stimulation too. If you want your pet to be happy and healthy, and live as long as possible, then you need to ensure that your pet s mind is kept entertained too. There are many ways that you can stimulate your dog s mind. You can hide treats around your home, and have your dog look for them. This will make your pet use its nose and its mind. You can also play hide and seek with your dog. Not only is hide and seek a great way to stimulate your dog s mind, but it s also a good way to test your dog in obedience. When playing hide and seek, you need to use commands, like stay and come, so that your dog knows when to wait for you to hide, and when to come out and look for you. Keeping your pet s mind active will prevent your dog from getting bored. When a dog becomes bored, it can become unhappy, and stressed, which can lower its lifespan.

20 Chapter 4 Diet You dog s diet has a large effect on its lifespan, along with exercise. If your dog has a poor diet, it can have a negative effect on its health and its lifespan. The right diet, however, can ensure that your dog lives as long as possible. 10. Provide your Dog with Nutritious Food Feeding your pet a nutrient rich diet can increase your dog s lifespan. Unfortunately, the food offered by many dog food brands is substandard, and contains very little nutrients. An ideal diet for dogs is one that incorporates a range of food groups, like vegetables, proteins, grains, fat and, of course, vitamins and nutrients. Make sure that you read dog food labels to see what s in your pet s food. Avoid any dog food that contains high amounts of salt, sugar and fat, as these can have harmful effects on your dog s health. Look out for foods that contain vitamins and nutrients, and good quality meat.

21 You can also feed your pet certain people foods. For example apples are a healthy treat for your dog, as they are full of vitamins and fiber. Make sure, however, that you remove the core, as the cyanide contained in the seeds, which is not harmful to humans as it is such a low amount, is harmful to dogs. Also feeding your dog cooked chicken and rice is also a healthy option for when you are out of dog food. Providing your dog with a nutritious diet can add years to its lifespan. It s also important to keep your dog hydrated. Your pet should always have access to a bowl of water. When your pet is well hydrated, it will absorb nutrients more effectively, and therefore, will be healthier overall.

22 11. Give your Dog Supplements While your dog should get most of its vitamins, minerals and other nutrients from its food, giving your dog some supplements is a great way to boost not only your pet s diet, but its health too. Omega-3 fatty acids supplements can provide your pet with health benefits, and increase its lifespan. In dogs, Omeg-3 can reduce the risk of many health issues, like heart disease, cancer and arthritis. Glucosamine is also a fantastic supplement for dogs. Glucosamine is a compound that is only found in shells, like the shell of a fish, so humans and dogs can t really get it through diet, so have to take supplements instead. Glucosamine helps to maintain healthy joints and bones in dogs, and is a great supplement for older dogs in particular. To find out the ideal dosage for your dog, consult your vet.

23 12. Maintain a Healthy Weight As with human beings, dogs can become obese. Obesity is fast becoming one of the most common health problems for dogs in the west. Obesity leads to a wide range of health problems, and it can drastically shorten your dog s lifespan. Even being slightly overweight can shorten a dog s lifespan by two years. Dogs that are overweight are more at risk for heart disease, and as a result, have a lower life expectancy. Overweight dogs are also more prone to getting joint problems, because the excess weight they are carrying puts stress on their joints and bones. To add years onto your dog s life, make sure that you keep your pet a healthy weight. The best way to do this is to ensure that your pet gets plenty of exercise, and doesn t overeat. Dogs love food, and will, generally speaking, eat as much as you give to them. Do some research into the recommended daily food intake for your particular dog breed, and make sure that you follow these guidelines.

24 Providing your pet with treats is fine, but don t go overboard with them. Treats should only make up about 10% of your dog s diet. Some dogs overeat simply because they are bored, so make sure that you offer your pet plenty of stimulation. If your dog is overeating, take it to the vet for a checkup to ensure that it doesn t have any underlying health issues that are causing this behavior.

25 Conclusion Dogs aren t low maintenance pets. They require lots of attention form their owners, but the affection and loyalty that they give in return makes it more than worthwhile. Please keep in mind that certain breeds are predisposed to certain health problems, which will have an effect on their lifespan. Overall, however, taking great care of your dog, and providing them with lots of attention and affection will make your pet much happier. Taking proper care of your dog ensures that they will live as long as possible.