If you have a dog, I am sure you would love for your furry friend to grow old with you, and stay as long as possible. We have 2 dogs in our home and they are a part of the family. I want to give my pets the very best out of life. They deserve the same care and love we would give another family member. Here is a list of the top 7 things you can do to extend your pets life.
A Balanced Diet
It is very important to feed your dog quality dog food. Fresh dog food or even freeze dried foods are best. However if you can not afford those foods then make sure when buying dry kibble that the first ingredient listed is a meat product. Not a beef or chicken flavor, that is a fancy way to make you think you are feeding your pet meat when you really are not. Most dry kibble is cooked at such high temps that it cooks any nutritional value right out. That is why fresh or freeze dried is best. The top 5 dry kibble brands are Wellness Complete, Instinct Original, Nature’s Logic, Taste of the Wild and Blue Buffalo.
Oral Care
Our pets teeth and gum health is just as important as our own. As they age they get teeth and gum issues as well. Some dogs as they get older will lack a good diet if their teeth and gums are sore from plaque and tartar build up causing tooth decay and gum disease. Pet’s can get the same dental issues we get from lack of good dental care. Every time your pet sees the vet for an annual, please have the teeth and gums checked and cleaned. You can also give your pet dental chews that help with healthy teeth and gums if they will not let you brush their teeth. Yes there is a tooth paste for your K9. The top 2 dental chews are Greenies Original and Whimzees Natural. Believe it or not gum health is linked to heart health, so clean healthy gums and teeth can extend your pets life.
Active Lifestyle
Exercise is so important for your pet. At least an hour walk every day and plenty of play time. Some breeds are low maintenance and do not require a walk every day. Others are highly active and need this exercise to burn off pent up energy. Some dogs have behavior issues when not exercised enough. It is also important to not overdo it as well.
Life Enrichment
As our pups grow older their mental function can decline just like ours. There are a lot of toys and products to help with keeping your pet mentally active. A fun activity is a dog food puzzle, not only will this get your dog thinking about the food but, for those fast eaters it will slow them down. Scent games are another fun enrichment for your dog, hide small bits of food in places and have your dog sniff it out. This gets them back to the basics of being a dog and using their nose.
Vet Visits
As we see our doctor once a year for check ups, so should our pet’s. Preventative care is just as important for our K9 companions as it is for us. Catching physical issues early can save a lot of pain and suffering for you and your pet. Pay attention to your dog and know the signs of when something isn’t quite right. As your dog gets older and hits senior status, a check up every 6 months is suggested.
Supplements
Our pets can greatly benefit from taking daily supplements. There are supplements to help keep their eyesight sharp, ward off arthritis and joint issues as well as a healthy coat and strong nails. Always talk with your vet before starting your pet on a supplement. Joint supplements are great for those active dogs that get joint soreness as they age. It seems mobility issues are something our dogs commonly suffer from. Keeping your pet at a healthy weight will keep unwanted wear and tear from happening to their joints.
Pay Attention
Make sure you pay close attention to your dog. As they age they can have problems with hearing, seeing, mobility and cognition. Our pets do not commonly like to let us see them in pain or suffering. Knowing your pet well and noticing even slight changes in their daily routine can help prevent small things from becoming big issues.
Response Magic