6 steps to add 1-2 years to your elderly dog’s life

6 simple ways to extend the quantity and quality of your dog's golden years

The dog's life is very short, only a short time of more than ten years, but if the daily feeding is proper, it can properly extend their life. 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 6 simple ways to extend the quantity and quality of your dog's golden years.

Avoid Obesity

Many people think dogs are cute when they are fat, but you know what? A dog's cuteness is paid for by its longevity! Being overweight can do a lot of harm to your dog.
According to a Purina Lifespan Study, you can pretty much plan on an overweight pet living 2 years less than they would otherwise. First of all, too fat dog is easy to cause hyperlipidemia, fatty liver and other problems. Secondly, obesity means that the pressure on the bone is great, and it is easy to aggravate the wear and tear of the bone, which is easy to cause synovitis, especially in large dogs. Third, dog obesity is also easy to cause arterial embolism and some obstruction, resulting in insufficient blood supply to some organs, and even death.
For your dog's health, it's important to avoid obesity.

Get Regular Vet Check-Ups

Many people think that pet medical examination is a new "cheat money project", the cost is not low money, do a few or more than a dozen examinations, most of them are no problem, always feel that they spent money in vain. This view is clearly wrong. In fact, compared with treatment, regular vet check-up is really a very cost-effective thing. The earlier a lot of chronic diseases are discovered, the simpler the treatment is, such as diabetes, cancer, heart disease and so on. If the symptoms appear later, the cost may be several times or even dozens of times of the price of physical examination! Pets have no language ability, and have a strong tolerance for pain, even if some places are uncomfortable, the owner may not be aware of it. So it is necessary to give your pet a regular vet check-up.

Feed a High-Quality Diet

As dogs get older, their bodies change over time. For the sake of their dog's health, owners need to pay more attention to their dog's diet in addition to taking it out for exercise.
If your dog doesn't have kidney problems, it doesn't reduce its protein requirements as it ages. Without enough protein, dogs can easily lose muscle mass, weight, and even kidney failure. When choosing food for old dogs, owners can choose some chicken and beef, which are rich in protein but not high in fat, and easy to digest and absorb, and will not burden the dog's kidneys.
In addition, eating too much sodium-rich food is not a good idea for older dogs, as it can strain the kidneys and heart and cause obesity. Owners should avoid foods high in salt and fat and opt for unprocessed, natural foods.

Keep Body and Mind Active

By the age of seven, dogs are almost old. As they grow older, their bones stiffen and their brains slow down. Older dogs are also less physically flexible, which is why many owners find their dogs unsuitable for strenuous play. Behind the seemingly good health of the dog lies countless loneliness. When they arrived in old age, this does not have too much energy to contact the outside world, single-minded only want to do games with the owners.
Providing mental stimulation is equally as important. Just like doing a crossword puzzle helps elderly people stave off dementia, activities that challenge your older dog's mind will help them stay sharp. Try puzzles toys or devise games that make them think. And when it comes to physical and mental stimulation, something is always better than nothing. Pet intelligent feeder is a very intelligent and practical toy. Spinning frisbees, hiding games, and so on can be very interactive.

Don't Neglect Dental
Health

Dental problems are not only painful, but chronic infections and immune irritation are detrimental to your dog's health. As dogs get older, more detailed dental hygiene plans are often required, so take care of your dog's teeth.
Dogs who eat mushy food and don't clean it quickly enough can have oral problems as food remains in the crevices between their teeth. To protect dog's teeth, it is advisable for owners to scrub their dog's teeth with a cloth soaked in saline after feeding.
Change your dog's diet and don't feed him too much wet food. The owner should clean the dog's teeth regularly and give the dog some hard toys or snacks occasionally. Dogs can chew bones to clean their mouth, rubbing the bone against the mouth to achieve the cleaning effect.
When brushing your dog's teeth, be sure to give your dog his own toothbrush and use a toothpaste designed specifically for your dog. This is better for maintaining dental health.

Maintain Joint Health

While it may not be possible for your dog to live forever, you can certainly do your best to try. Warmth is especially important for an aging dog. Choosing an appropriate heating brace for your dog can help dissipate and limit inflammation, relax muscles and relieve pain. It can also help keep your dog warm and relieve congestion in deep tissues.

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