Turn up the dial on the exercise meter.
Dogs adore activity â hence, the crazy exuberance most display at the very whisper of a âwalk.â Taking your pup on an extra-long hike, joining you on a jog, or going on a few short outings in addition to those daily walks will be well received. Look for a place your dog can enjoy a safe off-leash run like a dog park, which will make the experience even more enjoyable for them.
Give your dog more mental stimulation with mind-engaging activities such as enrichment puzzles, new toys, visits to new places, and learning new skills and tricks.Â
Most dogs learn visual signals faster than verbal ones. When training, communicate more clearly by using hand signals along with words. Your dog will heave a figurative sigh of relief at finally being able to understand you.
A note for our readers: If you have an urgent question and are unable to ask your veterinarian, you can use the Ask a Vet service that will give you access to a veterinarian for 7 days for $1.
After all this schooling, Dr. Stephanie packed her things, her beloved Labrador & fluffy cat, and made the big move to the USA. She lives and practices at a clinic in the “big apple.”
Dr. Stephanie received her Bachelor of Science (Maj. Vet tech) from the University of Queensland, Australia, in 2006. After graduation, she moved to the other side of her beautiful, sunny country, to the most isolated city in the world (Perth, Australia), to begin her veterinary degree at Murdoch University. 5 years later, she received a dual degree in Veterinary Biology and Veterinary Medicine and Surgery.
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Avoid Obesity
If you did just one thing on this list or anything at all for your dog’s longevity, let it be this one: keep them at a healthy weight. Obesity is the scourge of not only the American population but our pets as well, with more than 50% of dogs being overweight in the U.S.
According to a Purina Lifespan Study, you can pretty much plan on an overweight pet living 2 years less than they would otherwise. That’s 2 years less that you get to play with them, cuddle them, and enjoy their love and companionship. Not to mention that it wreaks havoc on their health while they’re still here, making them more prone to a slew of illnesses like diabetes, joint issues, heart and lung disease, and cancer.
What’s more, is that this condition is completely avoidable. If you’ve noticed your pup packing on the pounds, do both of you a huge favor and read our 7 tips to getting your dog to a perfect weight.
How to Make Your DOG HAPPIER – 10 Key Tips
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]If you look on Google for advice about keeping senior dogs healthy, you’ll see that one of the most common questions people search for is “How to make my dog live forever.” This is proof that indeed, almost every pet parent harbors a fantasy that their beloved pup will never leave them.
While we haven’t found the fountain of doggy youth just yet, that doesn’t mean there aren’t ways you can help your pup stick around longer. Here are