If you want your dog to live longer, take cues from some of the world’s oldest pooches. They are living testaments to what it takes to go beyond and above the average dog lifespan.
A Stress-Free Lifestyle
A relaxed dog is one with low cortisol level in his system. Cortisol is also known as the stress hormone and is usually high in senior dogs.
Dr. David Waters, a veterinarian studying longevity amongst Rottweilers, found all twenty-two of the elderly Rotties in his research had low cortisol levels. Their current ages were well over the average Rottweiler lifespan.
“If you don’t handle stress well, your cortisol levels stay up,” explained Dr. Waters. “It does bad things. It’s not healthy. With ageing in dogs and people, cortisol levels go up. The better you handle stress, the healthier you will be.”
Here are some of the things that you can do to ensure that your dog’s life is stress-free:
- Don’t unload your personal stress on him.
- Don’t break your “promise” to provide him with quality time
- Be attentive to his needs.
- Don’t keep him home alone for more than 4 hours at a time.
- Avoid keeping him locked in a cramped space for long periods.
- Keep yourself from scolding your pooch for doing things that dogs normally do. This applies to misbehaviour that is actually due to a lapse on your part.
- Set clear boundaries and rules and enforce them consistently.
- Allow him to enjoy his favourite things or activities
You May Also Like:
- How Long Do Rottweilers Live?
- How Long Do French Bulldogs Live?
- Understanding and Managing Dog Dementia
- Animal Shelter Volunteer for the Sick and Elderly – How to Get Started
A Lot of Exercises
This not only applies to physical exercise but also mental stimulation. A happy and healthy dog is a busy and mentally sharp dog.
Exercise not only keeps your pet’s weight in check, but it also helps lower stress and balance moods. Obesity is a real scourge for modern canines, although it is something that is very much avoidable.
Exercising your dog daily is a must. Depending on his breed’s energy level, however, an hour’s exertion is ideal. This does not need to be spent entirely on a long walk, though.
It can be divided into two or three sessions and set at different hours of the day. One session can be all about mentally stimulating activities, whilst the other involves lead walking or running.
You could also give him time to explore the outdoors freely. It is worth noting that three of the oldest canines in the world, Maggie (a Kelpie), Bluey (an Australian cattle dog), and Bramble (a Border Collie), were farm dogs.
They thrived in the outdoors doing farm work. As such, allowing your pooch to safely enjoy the world outside your front door will benefit him.
You May Also Like:
Fresh Food
Bluey and Bramble, which were mentioned above, have diets that are polar opposites. Bluey is famous for being a vegan canine, whilst Bramble is a meat-eater through and through.
Both lived to be twenty-nine and twenty-seven respectively. What they have in common diet-wise is the fact that they both ate fresh food. No processed dog food for these pooches.
Interestingly, a study done by Dr. Gerard Lippert showed that canine pets fed industrial food lived 10.4 years on average. The ones fed home-made meals lived 13.1 years on average. This information strongly implies that fresh food can let your dog live a longer life.
Keep a Cheerful Company
Several pooches who lived beyond their breed’s average lifespan have other canine companions in their households.
A second dog ensures that your dog never gets lonely, thus enhancing their quality of life. Also, the dog-to-dog interaction serves as a natural mental and physical exercise outlet for your dog.
One owner, for example, testified that the company of a younger female dog “made a big difference” to his senior pooch, Genghis. Her playfulness and energy got Genghis to chase sprees and thus rejuvenated him.
You May Also Like:
- Can Brain Games Help Senior Dogs Stay Young?
- The German Shepherd Lifespan Is Not Long Enough
- Have You Been Wrongly Converting Your Dog’s Age in Human Years?
- How Long Do Labradors Live? And How to Prolong It
Maintain Good Dental Care Habits
Maintaining your dog’s dental health is especially important as periodontal disease is very common amongst canines. When left untreated, such problems can affect other parts of the body, such as the kidneys and heart.
Gum disease is a nasty side effect that happens when a dog does not receive regular oral care. You can easily combat it by brushing your dog’s teeth two to three times a week if not daily.
Consider using supplementary dental care products if you have extra money to splurge on your dog. Dental sticks, dental water additives, and dental care supplements can help combat teeth and gum disease in pets.
Do not forget to schedule an annual professional dental cleaning with the veterinarian too. This process is critical for good dental health in the long run as it removes plaque and tartar that accumulate under your pet’s gumline.
One More Thing to Help Your Dog Live Longer
Although some of the oldest dogs in the world never really had annual vet checks, better care undeniably extends pet lifespans. In fact, dog life expectancy has doubled in the past four decades due to a better diet and health care.
As such, bring your dog to the vet once a year for a health assessment. It is a good preventative measure that helps curb underlying health problems by detecting and treating them early.
FAQs About How to Make Dogs Live Longer
1. What Is the Lifespan of a Healthy Dog?
The general lifespan of a healthy dog typically ranges between ten and thirteen years. However, this information should only be taken as a reference.
There is no definite way to tell how long each healthy dog will live since many factors affect their longevity, such as their breed, lifestyle, location, genetics, and diet.
2. Do Dogs Live Longer If They Are Loved?
There is evidence that dogs do live longer if they are loved. According to a 2023 study, receiving social support from their human companions plays a big role in ensuring healthy ageing in dogs.
The research even highlights that the effect of social relationships is five times stronger than financial factors.
3. Can a Dog’s Genes Affect How Long They Live?
A dog’s genes can significantly affect how long they live. For instance, purebred canines are more prone to developing hereditary ailments than mixed-dog breeds due to their shallow gene pool.
4. Can Dogs Live Longer Than 20 Years?
Dogs can live longer than twenty years. A good proof of this is Bluey who lived for nearly three decades.
As you cannot predict how long your pet will live, the best thing you can do is to try your best to provide him with a happy and safe environment.
Tailoring a complete and balanced diet as well as keeping up with routine health checks are the basics to ensure that he lives a long life.
Conclusion
The lives of dogs are comparably shorter than ours. However, proper care, enrichment, and routine vet attention can make a big difference in their longevity. The sooner you can make these positive changes in your dog’s lifestyle, the more years you add to his life.