Doing these things might actually cut years off your dog's life! Find out what you can do!
1. Letting Rover Get Overweight (or Even Obese)
Being too heavy can shave up to 10 months off a dog's life, and this is particularly apparent in five breeds: the Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, American Cocker Spaniel, Beagle and the Shih Tzu.
If your canine companion is too heavy, I can't stress enough the importance of helping your dog reach a healthy weight.
2. Dodging Doggy Dental Care
When plaque is allowed to accumulate on your dog's teeth, within a few days it hardens into tartar. Tartar adheres to the teeth and irritates the gums.
Irritated gums result in an inflammatory condition called gingivitis.
At this stage, your dog has developed an irreversible condition called periodontal disease, which not only causes considerable pain, but can also result in abscesses, infections, loose teeth, and bone loss.
If his immune system doesn't kill off the circulating bacteria, it can reach the heart and infect it.
Studies have shown that oral bacteria, once launched into the bloodstream, seem able to fight off attacks by the immune system.
For the health and longevity of your dog, it's important to proactively manage the plaque and tartar that accumulates on his teeth.
3. Skipping Wellness Checkups
I recommend regular at-home wellness exams. In addition, for healthy dogs I suggest preferably two (especially important if your pet is over 8), but at least one wellness checkup with your veterinarian per year.
Wellness and nutritional goals change yearly, and over the age of 8 can require fine-tuning every four to six months, depending on your pet's vitality.
4. Ignoring the Athlete Inside Your Dog
In order to stay lean, fit, well-conditioned, emotionally balanced, and fully mobile as she ages, your dog needs a good workout every day.
In addition, many canine behavior problems are the result a lack of physical and mental activity.
What many people don't realize is that like their owners, dogs need reasons to get physically active.
The only way to make sure your dog gets enough exercise is to provide her with the companionship and incentive she needs to stay active. Your dog should be getting a minimum of 20 minutes of sustained heart-thumping exercise three times a week.
5. Smoking Around Your Dog
If you smoke cigarettes, you're aware of the risks, not only to your health, but also to others around you who are exposed to your smoking. But what many people don't understand is the danger smoking poses for pets.
Research shows that both second and thirdhand smoke is dangerous to animals. Studies have concluded that dogs living in smoking households are more likely to suffer from respiratory diseases like asthma and bronchitis, and also lung cancer, than dogs living with nonsmokers.
Don't leave cigarette butts for your dog to find. Dispose of nicotine gum or patches appropriately. And don't assume e-cigarettes are a safer alternative to smoke around your pet, as the FDA has found they also contain a number of potentially toxic chemicals.
6. Not Training Your Dog to Be a Good Canine Citizen
Sadly, animal shelters are full of dogs who didn't get a proper start in life, and developed behavior problems as a result. An unpredictable or out-of-control family dog can be difficult to be around, and poses a danger to himself, as well as other animals and people.
Use training sessions to let your pet know which behaviors earn her praise, attention and affection.
7. Failing to Understand the Importance of Socialization
Socialization means exposing your dog (preferably as a puppy) to as many new people, animals, environments and other stimuli as possible without overwhelming him. Socialization should engage all of your dog's senses though exposure to the sights, sounds and smells of daily life.
This exposure will help him develop a comfort level with new and different situations, with the result that he'll learn to handle new experiences and challenges with acceptable, appropriate behavior.
It's shocking to realize how many things we do that might be harming our pups. Luckily, now that we are all informed, we can make the lives of our dogs much better! We all want what's best for our pooches and if we stop doing these things, we can make our dogs live longer!
For more information on how we might actually be shortening our pets' lifespans, visit Healthy Pets.
