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by Jacqueline BoydAnd Nottingham Trent University
As anyone who has lived with a dog knows, we often feel like we don’t get enough time with our furry friends. Most dogs live on average only 10 to 14 years – although some may do so Live naturally longer, while others may be formatted for Some diseases that can limit their lifespan.
But what many people don’t know is that humans and dogs share many genetic similarities—including a predisposition to it. age-related cancer. This means that many of the things humans can do to be healthier and live longer may also work for dogs.
Here are some of the ways you can help your dog live a longer, healthier life.
1. Watch the waist circumference
There is one factor frequently associated with longevity across a group of species It is to maintain a healthy body weight. This means making sure that dogs do not carry too much weight, and that they control their calorie intake carefully. A lean, healthy body weight will not only be better for your dog in the long run, but it can also help reduce the impact of certain health conditions, like osteoporosis.
Monitor and manage your dog’s body weight carefully through regular weighing or body condition record It looks at your dog’s physical appearance and “scoreds” it on a scale to check if it’s overweight or at a healthy weight. using both roads together It will allow you to identify weight changes and adjust their diet as needed.
Use the feeding guidelines as a starting point for how much to feed your dog, but you may need to change the type or amount of food you feed to maintain a healthy weight as your dog gets older, or depending on how much activity he gets. Knowing how much to feed your dog is also an important weight management tool – so weigh their food rather than theirs shoveling in it By eye.
generally, good nutrition It can be linked to the healthy aging process, suggesting that what you feed you can be just as important as what you feed. “Good” nutrition varies for each dog, but be sure to look for foods that are safe, tasty, and provide all the nutrients your dog needs.
2. Lots of walks
Exercise has many physiological and psychological benefits for our dogs.and we). Physical activity can help manage a dog body weight, also associated with Anti-aging effects In other genetically similar species.
While exercise alone will not increase your dog’s lifespan, it may help protect you both from carrying excess weight. Indeed, research indicates that a “happy” walk with dogs leads to both Happy dogs and people.
3. Teach them new tricks
Aging isn’t just physical. Keeping a dog’s brain active is also beneficial. Contrary to the popular saying, you can teach old dogs new tricks — and you can save their brain and body smaller as a result.
Even when doing physical activity may be limited, explore alternative low-impact games and quests, like the smell You and your dog can do it together. Using their noses is both fun and rewarding in nature for dogs, so training dogs to find items by smell will both exercise them mentally and physically.
Even old dogs can learn new tricks. Alexey Boyko/Shutterstock
Other exercises like Hydrotherapy – Kind of swimming exercise – Might be a good choice – especially for dogs with conditions that affect them The ability to exercise as normal.
4. Bonding
Like many companion animals, dogs develop a clear attachment to their caregivers. Possibly the bond between a human and a dog Provides companionship – and oftentimes, dog lovers describe them as a One of the family.
A stable bond between the caregiver and the dog can help maintain happiness and mutual beneficial partnership Between you and your dog. It can also help you recognize subtle changes in your dog’s behavior or movement that may indicate potential concerns.
Where there is compatibility between Caregiver and dog, this leads to a better relationship – and even benefits for owners too, including stress relief And Playing sports. Share positive and fun experiences with your dog, including play with themGreat for strengthening your links.
5. Do not miss visits to the vet
Modern veterinary medicine has seen significant improvements in preventing and managing health concerns in dogs. Vaccination and parasite management programs have been effective reduce injury of disease in both dogs and humans – including swollen disease, which can be transmitted from dog feces to humans, and rabies, which can be transmitted from dog to dog or from dog to human.
Having a good relationship with your veterinarian will allow you to customize treatments and discuss your dog’s needs. Regular medical examinations can also be helpful in identifying any potential problems in a treatable stage – Such as dental problems or in the spine Which may cause pain and negatively affect the dog’s health.
At the end of the day, it’s a combination of our dogs’ genes and the environment they live in that influences their longevity. So while we can’t change their genes, there are many things we can do improve their health This may just help them live a longer, healthier life.
Jacqueline BoydSenior Lecturer in Animal Sciences, Nottingham Trent University
This article has been republished from Conversation Under Creative Commons License. Read the original article.
top image: Pixabay
