8 Things You Can Do To Ensure Your Dog Lives A Long And Healthy Life

Our four-legged best friends sadly don't stay around for as long as us, so it's important we do everything we can to keep them happy and healthy for as long as possible!

Here are a few tips and things you can do to improve the quality of your dog's life and hopefully extend their life by years too!

1. Keep your dog at a healthy weight

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One of the best ways to extend your dog's life is to feed them a healthy well-balanced diet and to keep them at a healthy weight at all times. Make sure you give your dog the most nutritious dog food and avoid giving them extra treats and scraps from the table. Don't succumb to those puppy dog eyes! And remember some everyday foods on your plate are toxic for dogs.

2. Provide regular stimulating exercise

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Let alone their physical health, exercise is critical for your dog's mental health! Dogs need plenty of running, jumping, sniffing and exploring to keep them stimulated and healthy.

The amount of exercise your dog needs depends on lots of factors (breed, age, personality and fitness level) but ideally your dog should get at least half an hour of exercise every day to improve their health and regulate their weight.

3. Consider neutering or spaying your dog

12 Things You Can Do To Ensure Your Dog Lives A Long And Healthy Life

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There are lots of health benefits to spaying or neutering your dog that could add on years. It makes them less likely to get certain diseases such as testicular cancer or ovarian cancer. It also decreases their risk of getting uterine infections. Consult your vet to find out more about surgery and your dog's needs.

4. Maintain good hygiene

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Much like for humans, keeping dog hygiene in check is beneficial for their overall health. Keeping your pooch smelling nice and clean prevents all sorts of problems, such as skin irritation, germs, disease, pests, insects and infections.

5. Go for regular check-ups and vaccinations at the vet

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Book regular vet check ups, even if your dog seems in good form. Make sure they're up-to-date on all medications and preventative treatments. Unlike humans, our dogs can’t speak to us when something is wrong. So going to see the vet will let you rest assured that your companion is in perfect health and if your vet does find a problem it can be treated sooner rather than later.

6. Take your dog's oral hygiene seriously

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Brush your dog's teeth using specially designed toys or brushes. Tooth decay is a very common, yet dangerous health problem for dogs. This is because tooth decay not only creates dental problems, but it can cause infections throughout the body, especially in the heart and kidneys.

7. Train them at least the basic commands

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There are so many scenarios out in public places where simply knowing some basic commands could save your dog's life. For example, knowing 'sit' or 'stay' are essential if your dog starts chasing after a cat and heads towards moving traffic. Obedience is key!

8. Show them you love them, every single day!

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Finally, if you want to keep your dog alive longer simply shower them with endless love and affection! You can never really know how long they'll be around for so treat every day like it's their last. They love you unconditionally so remind them how much you love them too!

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