Help Your Dog Live Longer by Avoiding These Things

Letting your dog gain too much weight

According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, an estimated 53 percent of dogs were overweight last year. In addition to that, the association found that 95 percent of the owners of these obese dogs incorrectly identified their pets as being at a normal weight. As Dr. Shari Brown, a veterinarian in Chesapeake, Virginia, notes, letting your dog get too heavy can not only reduce his life span but also his quality of life.

Neglecting canine dental care

Periodontal disease (gum disease), is a common problem in dogs. As the American Humane Society reports, veterinarians estimate that 85 percent of dogs over five years of age suffer from the condition, which develops after food and bacteria collect along the gum line and form plaque in a dog’s mouth

Skipping annual check ups

While it may be a pain to cart your dog into the veterinarian on an annual basis, doing so may save his life. “Simply getting your dog seen once or twice a year by a veterinarian can help improve life span,”

Not providing daily exercise

Just because your pet played hard at the dog park on Monday doesn’t mean that you can forgo giving him any exercise until Thursday. According to Dr. Kim Smyth, Petplan staff veterinarian, exercise not only helps to keep the weight off

Forgetting about heartworm and flea and tick prevention

These measures are just as important as remembering to keep up with your dog’s vaccinations. “Flea, heartworm, and tick control is critical,” says Dr. Patrick Mahaney, of California Pet Acupuncture and Wellness

Feeding your dog table scraps

“In addition to adding extra (and unnecessary!) calories to your dog’s diet, pet parents risk inducing pancreatitis by feeding their dog fatty table scraps,” says Dr.

Not socializing your dog

Dogs who fail to get socialized don’t get the same “bite” out of life as their happy, socialized counterparts, says Dr. Werber. “They often develop anxiety and fear-related issues, even dermatologic issues, and they don’t enjoy walks in the same way,” he explains

Not spaying or neutering

Experts like Dr. Mahaney agree that forgoing spaying and neutering can be dangerous to your dog’s health. “Spaying and neutering is still the best way to guarantee reducing the risk of several cancers, let alone the behavioral issues you can see with intact dogs,” he explains.