How to make my dog live longer?

The responsible possession of companion animals It is not a simple task, because as sentient beings, domestic animals need to receive care throughout their lives, especially those that have an impact on their health and well-being.It is obvious that we do not want them to suffer or be unhappy, however, sometimes we are not aware of the real needs of each species.

In Animals and Pets Online we want to explain how to make a dog live longer and better , offering you 10 essential tips that every owner should know.Keep reading to discover them all and put them into practice as soon as possible so that the animals in your care are always well cared for and happy.

1.Betting on a balanced quality diet

The feeding is a fundamental aspect of the care of a dog, because it has a direct impact on their health and well-being.Offering a balanced and adequate diet helps us to prevent obesity in the dog, but also many other serious health problems associated with nutritional imbalances.

It is important to adapt the feeding to the characteristics of each animal, taking into account the breed, age , sex, lifestyle or medical history, to provide the recommended daily calories.We can opt for a diet based on the balanced feed , but we can also consult with our veterinarian the possibility of developing recipes Homemade or follow the BARF diet.Extra foods, such as dog rewards, should never exceed 10% of caloric needs [1] and the dog must always have fresh, clean water.

It is important to highlight that there are m many foods, such as fruits and plants, which are not harmful to humans but to dogs, even if they are toxic or lethal , such as chocolate, onions or grapes.therefore, you should avoid any of the prohibited foods for dogs based on scientific studies, in order to prevent poisoning.

2.Follow a dental hygiene routine

The care of dogs' teeth is not very different from ours, as far as hygiene is concerned. tartar formation and gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) they are very common health problems in domestic dogs and, if left untreated or prevented, can cause very serious dental diseases, causing premature tooth decay, abscesses and even infections.

The best way to preventing it is through a dental hygiene routine .Brushing the teeth of the animal with a brush and even with a piece of gauze can be very effective, thus helping to prevent various pathologies.In addition, there are up to 10 different ways to clean the teeth of a dog, some of them designed for those dogs that do not allow themselves to manipulate the mouth.

3.Pay attention to the care of the mantle

Brushing is probably the most important routine when caring for a dog's coat and is especially necessary in long-haired dogs After choosing the right brush for your dog we advise you to perform a weekly brushing routine (between one and three times a week, depending on the needs of the individual and the length of the coat) to remove dirt, dust and tangles.

In addition, this routine allows us to promptly identify any parasite and helps us improve our bond with the dog, as most love to be brushed .When the hair is full of entanglements and cause serious discomfort in the dog, then we must assess the option of visiting a dog groomer.

regular baths are essential to keep the dog's skin clean and healthy, without However, it is very important that we do not abuse this routine, therefore, we recommend performing a cad bath within 1 or 3 months at the most.Don't forget to use specific products for dogs and follow our tips on how to bathe a dog at home properly and positively.

4.Encourage him to exercise

Exercise is an essential routine that helps dogs channel energy, release stress and tone muscles.In fact, it is key to making a dog live longer and better.Still, you should take into account the limitations of each animal, since intense uncontrolled exercise can be as prejudicial as its absence.

You should pay attention if your dog It belongs to one of the breeds of brachycephalus dogs, but in general we can estimate that every dog should enjoy between two and three walks a day of quality, as well as an hour of daily physical exercise, either intense, moderate or mild.

5.Don't forget the games and mental stimulation

Mental stimulation is one of the most important dog care, however, it is often forgotten.We must know that is as important as physical exercise , since it affects the same mode to the well-being of the dog.Providing this type of mental activities, whether through intelligence toys, canine skills or smell games is essential to maintain a good state of health and active cognitive abilities.

In addition, Mental stimulation improves the bond with the owner, useful in dogs that experience the syndrome of cognitive dysfunction and prevents many of the usual behavioral problems, such as destructiveness.

Environmental enrichment You can also help us in this regard, as offering a space with varied stimuli helps to improve the day-to-day life of our dogs.Tunnels, leaving varied toys at your fingertips, natural bones to gnaw or a bed of type or are some ideas.

6.Provide a clean and positive environment

Although it seems obvious, keeping the house clean with enzymatic products , thus avoiding the use of chemicals, improves the well-being of our dog and does not disturb his privileged and sensitive smell.In addition, promoting tranquility , calm and comfort will also make him behave in this way and be in line with us, ensuring an ideal environment.

7.Follow a regular deworming routine

The deworming of the dog, both internally and externally, must be an important part of their care, since most parasites can act as vectors of serious diseases that can only be prevent by this regular deworming routine.Check with your trusted veterinarian what are the best products to deworm your dog and follow the established schedule.

8.Make regular visits to your veterinarian

Following the dog's vaccination schedule will help us avoid many diseases that have no treatment once contracted.Also, making regular visits every 6 or 12 months will help us prevent and detect any change in our dog, thus offering a better prognosis.

Adult dogs can go to the vet once a year, but young dogs should visit every 4 months and old dogs every two years.In addition, when abnormal symptoms arise, these periods should be adjusted for greater safety.[2]

9.Values castration

There are many advantages of castration, including a greater longevity and the prevention of various pathologies, which vary depending on the sex of the animal and the time of castration., usually favors a better behavior related to exploratory behavior, sexual behavior and aggressiveness, being more noticeable in male dogs than in females.[4]

10.How to know if a dog is happy and healthy?

Finally we want to show you some symptoms of a sick or compromised dog .Do not miss any detail, if your dog shows any of them go to a veterinarian specialized in ethology to rule out any anomaly:

Lack of energy
Depression
Loss of appetite
Anorexia
Obesity
Fur in poor condition
Nasal or ocular secretion
Pale mucous membranes
Respiratory problems
Skin changes
Foreign lumps
Behavior changes

Finally, it should be noted that if you are thinking about adopting a dog for the first time, we advise you to further investigate the needs of the individual and remember: a committed tutor has an impact on a healthy and happy dog .

If you want to read more articles similar to How to make my dog live longer? , we recommend that you enter our Basic Care section.

References

John A.Bukowski, Susan Aiello, Providing a Home for a Dog, Merck Manual VeterinaryJohn A.Bukowski, Susan Aiello, Routine Health Care of Dogs, Merck Manual VeterinaryLyn ette A.Hart, PhD, Professor, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Animal Welfare, Merck Manual VeterinaryLe Boeuf, Burney J."Copulatory and aggressive behavior in the prepuberally castrated dog." Hormones and Behavior 1.2 (1970): 127-136.

Bibliography

Howell, TJ, Bennett, PC (2016) Pet dog management practices among a representative of owner samples in Victoria, Australia.Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research, Volume 12, p 4-12
(In the event of a traffic accident).Journal of Veterinary Behavior: Clinical Applications and Research, Volume 10, Issue 4, p 295-301
(2017) Emotional affection and the case of health problems related to health problems in domestic dog.Applied Animal Behavior Science, Volume 196, p 76-83

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