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6 Ways to Help Your Dog Live Longer!

10/7/2014

25 Comments

 
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We love our dogs so much that we consider them members of our family! It is because of that deep bond - that lifelong friendship - that we strive to provide the best care we can so that we can help them live as long as possible. While their precious time with us will never be long enough, we CAN be proactive about doing what we can to extend their life and keep them healthy, fit and strong well into their senior years!

Here are six ways you can help your dog live a long and healthy life!
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Diet and nutrition is first and foremost your best opportunity to create health and vigor in your dog. The body is fueled by food and all of the systems in the body (digestive, immune, etc.) gain strength from proper, species appropriate nutrition.

Dogs are facultative carnivores, they thrive on a carnivore diet. A raw food diet for dogs is the best nutrition you can provide! A homemade dog food diet is the next best thing, full of real food that provides whole nutrition. If neither of those options are for you, select a high quality grain-free commercial kibble!

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Supplements to your dog's diet can provide a nutritional boost that will ultimately strengthen your dog's body and add those nutrients that may be missing in the diet. Supplements can help to provide a complete, high quality nutrient profile that will make your dog more resistant to disease and illness by strengthening and nurturing the body.

My most highly recommended supplements include probiotics, omega fatty acids, coconut oil, apple cider vinegar, seaweed/kelp and raw local honey. There are many more supplements that can have a major positive impact on your dog's body!

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Don't underestimate the importance of good exercise. Exercise works the same for dogs as it does for us: it strengthens the body, keeps the heart strong and keeps the digestive tract moving and cleaning itself out. Dogs, as a species, are not designed to be lazy. They are designed to walk and run great distances, and we must honor that if we want to keep them healthy and fit.

Running, swimming, hiking, fetch, frisbee, bike rides - all of these things are ideal for dogs who are physically capable of doing them! Dogs should get a minimum of 2 hours exercise every single day - get their hearts pumping to keep them strong!

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Senior dogs are notorious for having poor oral health. Plaque and tartar build up can cause infections to enter the blood stream, promote the overgrowth of bad bacteria, lead to gum disease and will also result in tooth decay. These things are easily prevented with proper oral care and will also make it more pleasant to get kisses and cuddles from your pet in the future.

Prevention of oral disease is actually very easy! You can brush your dog's teeth a few times a week and give them bones and other healthy chews to help scrape the teeth clean. Feeding them a raw food diet is the best way to keep teeth white and clean!

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Weight management is extremely important! Dogs that are lean and fit who get a lot of exercise are physically stronger and healthier. Dogs that are overweight have a lot more fat around their organs, which puts pressure and stress on the body, making overweight dogs much more susceptible to disease and illness.

Proper diet, healthy treats fed in moderation and lots of exercise is the key to keeping dogs lean and strong. You should be able to feel your dogs ribs but not see every single one in a pronounced way. Your dog should also have a visible "tuck" at the abdomen.

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Annual veterinarian examinations are important to keep your dog healthy and prolong their life! Blood work can determine if your dogs diet is meeting all of their dietary needs, and can create a basis for which your vet can determine what is "normal" for your dog. This will be beneficial in diagnosing any future potential illness.

Keep your dog up to date on a minimal vaccine schedule, test for heartworm and tick-borne illness yearly and monitor your dogs health by having your vet do a wellness exam! All of this counts towards preventative animal care!

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25 Comments
Brenda
10/28/2014 06:53:52 am

7 year old male jack russell, in good shape but would love more healthy food tips / ideas.

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Janet Alisa Rochford
5/1/2015 07:30:28 pm

We have an 8 year old Jack Russell. We changed his dog food to a wheat free brand..."Cannigan" and there are many great flavors... chicken, game such as venison and lamb. He loves it and his energy level has improved. I hope that helps.

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Sarah Jane wood
11/22/2014 01:53:56 am

i have 2 greyhounds lucky she 10 yrs and prince is 3 yrs .is there any Tips on food vitamins they need thanks u

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Rosey H
1/6/2015 02:11:48 pm

I have a 9 month old Pit bull/Mastiff, hes not to keen on raw food is there any other food or diets i could try ?

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rachel
2/5/2015 05:16:32 am

My Golden hates raw food too :( she actually cowered in the corner and whimpered. I wonder too if there are other food or diets? If anyone knows that would be great.....

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Elizabeth
2/5/2015 06:07:35 am

Try beyond natural dog food by webmaster.... I have a lab/Hound mix and an American Staffordshire terrier and they both LOVE IT!!!!! It gets 4 out of 5 stars from the recommended foods for dogs and it's Grain free and it's not that pricey either

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Kathryn
2/28/2015 07:20:44 am

Try. Doc Van Patterson also try. Broth fresh made

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Debra
6/6/2015 10:22:26 am

Origins or Acana

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Anna
6/6/2015 10:42:52 pm

If they won't do raw some good options are: The Honest Kitchen is a dehydrated food (they are also human grade and some organic). Great company. Also Grandma Lucys (dehydrated), Stella and Chewys (freeze dried raw, add water). We have used all, using Honest Kitchen the most.

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Leah Jamison
2/6/2015 01:07:04 am

We have a chiweinny, she has bad breath. She is too small to get anesthesia so what do you suggest for dental hygiene

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Joanne Nicholas
3/27/2015 04:22:56 am

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Duan Austad
5/1/2015 04:44:21 am

How is she too small for anesthesia? They make wipes that you can just brush over your dog's teeth. Otherwise coconut oil works well--my dog loves that!

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jody
6/8/2015 01:08:59 am

Sometimes bad breath is due to digestive issues. Try using a grain free kibble that contains good quality prebiotics and probiotics. As well as good quality natural ingredients. You may also ask your vet if you. May include pepsid AC. The active ingredient; famotidine is ok for dogs and actually helps breath and flatulence in dogs by aiding in digestion.

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Jennifer
2/28/2015 06:08:14 am

My lovely dog, Great Dane/lab mix lived until 14. We rescued him from n abuser at 6 months old. He was brought to the UK from USA. He survived 6 months in quarantine. At ten he was diagnosed with Melanoma. Vets treated him with surgery and drugs. He died at 14. Vet said he lived so long because he was well cared for. He never had canned dog food. He ate what we ate.

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Laraine bruen link
2/28/2015 08:52:15 am

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Rosa
2/28/2015 11:16:33 am

My 6 months old beagle is highly active and loves food.The tuck at the abdomen is quite prominent and i can feel the ribs while pressing. She is given a home made diet(specially made for her) which has all the necessary ingredients. One thing that baffles me is that the other beagles in my locality who are having diet meant for humans are more healthy looking. Why is my beagles spine knots visible when she is having the best food that can be made at home?

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Karen Mitchell link
6/6/2015 06:29:03 am

What do you mean by especially made for her? What exactly are you giving her and how much and often?? And more importantly, is it balanced? Needs fatty acids, omega 3 and 6, all the vitamins and minerals as well as a LOT of other!

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Mikki bakken
2/28/2015 10:04:20 pm

Calories in- calories out. Is she nervous - high strung? More calories ! Also please rule out worms of all kinds and get a full organ panel along with standard Cbc. That oughta put your mind at ease, or unvover and hidden problems .

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Rosa
3/1/2015 09:31:55 am

All is well...lolz! Yesterday, inspected the knots on her back and found that my beagle has curls in her hair. The hair over the spine, and that part only is curly and gives an impression of knots when light falls from a certain angle.
Thanks for the suggestion though.

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trish stanfield (Duke's mama)
2/28/2015 11:37:03 pm

I love your site! I just went thru a kidney scare with Duke, my baby!!! Left commercial dog food and treats behind and started making his meals and goodies from scratch! Pretty satisfying to see his health improve, almost over night.. skin and coat healthy, eyes bright, good poops! Finding your site on FB, quite by accident, was a god-send! Love your posts! Great information, great recipes, things to watch out for, and adorable pictures and videos! I am so glad I found you!! <3 I KISS YOUR NOSE!!! :D

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Ruth Davila
3/27/2015 01:07:52 pm

Found your page recently and I'm happy I did. Will be trying raw diet and see how my Golden Retriever/Australian Shepherd Corona likes it. She is 14 and we're going to the vet tomorrow. She has been having UTIs this past year and a half. Otherwise she is doing great...

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Stacey
3/27/2015 01:36:47 pm

I have a 5 year old dog with wobblers syndrome...I can't put her on a leash with a collar or even a harness because it puts pressure on her spine then she has trouble even just walking for the next several days...she is a black lab/great Dane mix and very large...now that she's getting older she's putting on the pounds... she eats two cups of dog food per day with only lean chicken or vegetables as treats... how can I help her lose a little weight and stay healthy?

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Cindy thomas link
6/6/2015 07:33:33 am

I have a twelve year old dachshund that was one and half pounds. The vet put her on prescribed dry food. I mix in smash cook carrots that will make it damp she eats carrots munchies plus loves clemintines Your vet will tell you how much. Mine mine is little dog. She has lost one and I half pounds. Good as new. 😊

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viviane de borba
3/28/2015 02:00:14 am

I have one nine years old english mastiff, onde 6 years old border collie and one 8 years old mix of pit bull with boxer. Thanks for your hints. It is all a preside to take care and learn about these angels of my life.

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Carol Strayer
5/2/2015 04:39:43 am

I have a 6 yr old poodle, he is so picky, we've tried everything. I've even cooked him chicken and rice. he is on canned pedigree right now. He is so skinny but he is very active.

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