There’s no hiding it: we want our pets to live long, healthy lives.
The good news is that extending the life of your beloved canine companion doesn’t have to be a guessing game. Maintaining a healthy, natural diet and making sure your pet gets the proper amount of exercise can do amazing things for his or her lifespan. Read on to learn more about what you can do to extend the life expectancy of your dog.
- Maintaining a healthy diet
You’ve probably heard that most of the dog foods you see in mainstream grocery stores are not very good for dogs. It’s true: many of the name brand dog foods are terrible for your beloved companion. It’s typically been stuffed with tons of animal by-product and grain, and is often very high in salt, fat, and sugar. To find the right pet food for your dog, try looking for meat as the first ingredient. No dog foods should ever contain corn or wheat. And remember: opting not to feed your dog natural food can be extremely detrimental to his or her health, as well as stunt proper growth.
- Always spay or neuter
Spaying or neutering your dog can actually expand his or her lifespan by 1-2 years. We’re not kidding! It’s because spayed females are far less likely to develop cancer in their mammary glands and the males are unable to get testicular cancer if they’re neutered.
- Exercise regularly
Dogs need regular exercise to help prevent disease, to expend energy, and to keep their hearts in good working condition. These three reasons are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the full array of reasons you should exercise your dog, though.
- Don’t neglect the chompers
It’s a lesser known fact that gum disease and other dental issues are actually extremely common among dogs, cats and rabbits. It can cause your dog a large amount of pain and make it excruciating for him or her to eat. Oral issues can even result in other, more serious problems, such as kidney or heart disease. It’s recommended that you brush his or her teeth regularly and offer real chews such as antler chews, not dental sticks or rawhide.
- Limit the stress
It’s a fact that dogs that have a lot of stress in their lives will not live as long. Try to make your dog as comfortable as possible in your home, and make sure he or she isn’t lonely, around excessively loud noise, or feeling too confined. Going to the vet, groomer, and not being properly socialized can be extremely stressful for dogs as well.
- Include healthy supplements in the diet
Just like humans, dogs can take healthy dietary supplements to help boost their immune systems, improve their strength, support their G.I. tract, and more. All-natural dietary supplements are the best way to go.
- Train your dog properly
A badly-trained dog can be a serious problem; it can get your dog in trouble with other dogs and animals, and it can pose a huge problem for acting out around humans. Make sure your dog is properly socialized and knows how to sit, stay, and come.
- Limit unsupervised free roaming
Dogs that are allowed to roam free are more exposed to toxins and poisonous plants. And, more obviously, they can also be in danger of getting into an automobile accident.
Wapiti Labs is dedicated to providing pet owners with all-natural supplements and chews to keep their pets strong and healthy. The dog chews found on this website are real antlers. If you have any questions, we’re happy to help! Visit our FAQ Page or, alternatively, contact us by phone or email.
