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Things You Could Be Doing To Shorten Your Dog’s Life!

Things You Could Be Doing That Shorten Your Dog’s Life

As a pet parent, you probably take comfort in knowing that you do your best to help your dog have a happy life. You give your pet the best food you can, give him as much exercise as you have time for and lots of love.

It’s important to remember, however, that you need to do more than just the basics when it comes to taking good care of your pup. Often, your busy lifestyle can get in the way of some of the simple, but useful things that you could do to help your dog live a long life.

Thankfully, it’s never too late. You can always decide to put in a little extra care into making sure that your dog is healthy. Here are the mistakes to avoid.

You forget to socialize your dog.

When dogs do not have opportunities to meet other dogs and socialize, they often experience depression, anxiety, and fear. Some poorly socialized dogs even tend to develop dermatological problems. It’s essential to take the time out of your day to take your dog to puppy meet-ups and puppy play dates, and to let your dog meet and greet other dogs on the street when you go out on walks.

You let your dog out on his own.

Letting your dog out by himself without you keeping a careful watch, or keeping him on a leash, isn’t safe. From larger dogs and coyotes to cars and ill-intentioned people, there are all kinds of dangers that lurk out there. It’s important to make sure that your pet never ventures outside on his own.

You do not give your dog enough fresh water.

Water is essential, and it’s necessary for processes like the circulation of blood, digestion, and removal of waste. Being dehydrated will have an overall negative effect on your dogs’ health longterm. Adding an automatic water bowl like the Perpetual Well to home will ensure your dog is well hydrated.

You throw your dog scraps from the table.

You probably know that you need to be careful not to let your dog eat anything with chocolate or garlic. These ingredients are toxic to dogs. You also need to make sure that your dog gets no scraps from your table, at all, however. Human foods tend to be high enough in fat and sugar content to be dangerous to canine health. If your dog likes to hang around the dinner table hoping for scraps, give him a bowl of dog food to eat in another room, free from the temptations of the table.

You give your dog too much exercise.

While all dogs need exercise, the amount of activity that’s appropriate varies from one breed to another. Short-nosed dogs such as bulldogs, boxers, and Pekingese tend not to breathe very easily. You shouldn’t exercise them when it’s hot, or when you notice that they seem to be lethargic or to pant too hard.

You allow your dog to breathe secondhand smoke.

Secondhand smoke isn’t just bad for humans; it’s bad for dogs, as well. A dog that is exposed to secondhand smoke all day can develop respiratory problems or even cancer. For your dog’s sake, make sure that you don’t smoke indoors.

You’re careless about taking care of your dog’s teeth.

According to the American Humane Society, eight out of ten dogs experience gum disease at some point. It develops when food residue forms plaque along the gum line. Just as with humans, harmful oral bacteria can cause kidney infections and heart valve disease.

Taking care of your dog’s gums takes a little work. You need to buy a finger-mounted dog toothbrush, and brush your dog’s teeth at least once a day. You can also look into getting additives that you can put in your dog’s water to help his dental health, and buy chew toys that help with plaque buildup.

You would be heartbroken if anything were to go wrong for your dog. Luckily, it doesn’t take too much care to ensure that your dog stays healthy. A few good practices are all you need to learn.

Picture of dog yellow lab. Things You Could Be Doing To Shorten Your Dog's Life!

9 Ways in Which Your Dog Can Help You Stay Fit

Dogs can be wonderful fitness buddies. They are always happy to get out the door to be with you, they never complain about the length of a workout, and they can be so energetic, they inspire you to work out harder.

Research at Michigan State University has found that dog owners tend to be about thirty-five percent likelier than non-owners to get the 150 minutes of exercise each week that doctors recommend. It doesn’t matter if you’re just taking your puppy for a walk. If you keep up a brisk pace, you can burn more than 300 calories an hour. The great thing about dog ownership is that walking is just one of the many ways you have of getting exercise together. There are any number of other ways to try. Here are ideas.

Run with your dog

The great thing about running with your dog is that once you set up a routine, your dog will expect you to keep to it. No matter how lazy you feel on a given day, you won’t be able to say no to a dog waiting eagerly by your sneakers hoping that you can go on a run. It’s always great to have a running buddy who’s more energetic than you are.

Go paddleboarding

Paddleboards are perfect for dogs. You sit in the middle of the board and paddle, and your doggie stands at the far end, and happily looks out. You need to just make sure that your dog has a life preserver on, in case he falls off the board. Dog life preservers come with handles that help you pick them up with ease. Pick a calm day, and head out. You’ll burn lots of calories paddling to move forward.

Try kayaking

If you have a sit-on-top kayak, it can be a great way to take your dog out on the water. Small dogs usually like to sit up front, and larger dogs are usually comfortable in the middle, by your feet. As long as you go kayaking on calm, slow-moving waters, your dog should be happy. You should just make sure that you bring along a supply of treats to keep your dog engaged while you burn calories exercising your upper body with the paddles.

Try getting on a bicycle

If you have an extra-energetic dog that you have trouble keeping up with on walks or runs, you should consider getting on a bicycle. You’ll be able to go much faster than you would if you ran. Your dog will be grateful for a chance to run hard. If your dog has issues like anxiety, a chance to run can significantly help.

Get those rollerblades out

If you’re not much of a cyclist, you can strap rollerblades on when you take your dog out. You do need to be an expert rollerblader to make sure that your dog doesn’t yank you right off your feet. Take your dog to a park during an uncrowded time of the day, and you will have a lot of fun running around.

Join a doggie fitness class

There are fitness classes that are designed for both people and their dogs. These classes put you through high-intensity exercises for cardio and strength, and your dog gets obedience drills. While most of the exercises are aimed at you and not your dog, you’ll both have fun.

Try some doga

Doga, or dog yoga, is a popular activity these days. In the typical class, the instructor helps you try different kinds of stretches and moves, acupressure and massages for your dog. You get to do your own poses, as well.

Play active fetch with your pooch

With a normal game of fetch, you simply wait while your dog fetches a ball or frisbee that you throw. With an active game of fetch, you run alongside your dog to the article that you throw. Your dog will have a lot more fun racing you to get there first, and you’ll get lots of exercise, as well.

Try to walk or ski in the snow

If it’s cold and snowy outside, it’s still no reason to keep your dog trapped at home. While some dogs like Huskies are built for snow, nearly all dogs enjoy a romp out in the cold. You just need to make sure that you get your dog protective snowshoes to prevent snow build-up in the paws.

You don’t have to own a dog to get exercise with one. All you need to do is to get in touch with your local animal shelter and volunteer to walk a dog. Dogs at shelters really need walks. You are their chance for lots of fun and exercise.
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Perpetual Well Tips

Five Ways to Make Your Home More Pet-Friendly for New Pets

Welcoming a new pet into your home is always an exciting occasion. However, before you bring your new furry friend home, it is probably a good idea to make your house a little more pet-friendly. Here are Five Ways to Make Your Home More Pet-Friendly for New Pets:

1. Hidden entrances and pet flaps

Make it easy for your new pet to move in and out of the home by installing easy to access entrances. You can go for a traditional cat or dog flap, or make the entrances hidden by making them a part of already existing fixtures. For instance, you could have a door installed on the lower part of a kitchen cabinet to enable your pet to access the house through this area.

2. Constant supply of fresh water

Install Perpetual Well an automatic, self-filling & self-draining pet water bowl. Perpetual Well ensures your pet has constant access to a fresh, filtered bowl of water that never overflows or leaks. It’s excellent as cat or dog water dispenser, and You’ll love never having to worry about whether your pet has a clean, fresh bowl of water!

3. Durable floors

The best floors for pets should be scratch and damage resistant while still being comfortable enough for your pet to walk on without slipping or falling. The best options include hardwood, bamboo, stone, cork, and vinyl. You should take your pet’s size, breed, and age into account when selecting floors to ensure that you have a durable option that will withstand the activity of even the most energetic pet.

4. Pet-friendly furniture

Ensure that your pets have their own furniture where they can rest, relax and sleep. This will allow you to avoid having to clean fur out of your good furniture all the time or having to share your bed with a large pet who takes up much of your space. There are various types of pet furniture including beds, baskets, crates, sofas, stairs, and others designed to ensure that your home is as pet-friendly as possible.

5. Windows with screens

Ensure that you invest in some tightly fitting screens on your windows if you live in a high-rise apartment or in an area with lots of traffic. This prevents pets from getting out of the house or falling from a high-up window.

new pet

6 Ways to Boost a Senior Dog’s Energy

It’s hard to watch a senior dog slow down, especially one that was a ball of energy most of his life. But age brings a host of problems that can affect a dog’s pace and vitality, from arthritis to cognitive decline to hypothyroidism. Fortunately, you don’t have to take a passive role in your pet’s aging process. There are things you can do to boost your senior dog’s energy and keep him healthy, active, and on top of his game. Here are six ways to boost a senior dog’s energy:

Encourage Age-Appropriate Exercise

While your senior dog may seem content lying around all day, it’s a habit worth breaking. Give your pet adequate rest time, but make sure he stays active too. There are plenty of exercises that energize senior dogs and improve their health, like walking, swimming, or a gentle game of fetch or tug-of-war. You might also consider dog sports suited for dogs with reduced mobility and stamina. Dog sports promote mental and physical stimulation, increased confidence, and enthusiasm. The American Kennel Club recommends tracking, rally, and obedience for seniors.

Modify Your Senior Dog’s Diet

Think your pet’s diet could be harming his energy level? It’s possible, especially if the food is high in calories and contributing to weight gain. Overweight senior dogs can become sluggish, plus they’re at increased risk for more serious health problems. Of course, your dog’s daily nourishment is his main source of energy, so you want to make sure he gets what he needs to stay well fueled. Check with a vet to determine whether a diet modification will benefit your pet. The goal is to find a high-quality, palatable food that helps your senior achieve and maintain an ideal weight.

Consider Supplements that Renew Energy

There’s a growing market for nutritional supplements for senior pets. Some supplements are mere hype, but others can be useful as part of an overall wellness plan for your senior dog. Supplements can also help put the pep back in your dog’s step. Fish oil, glucosamine, and chondroitin, for example, have all shown promise in improving joint health and easing arthritis symptoms, which can increase your dog’s comfort, mobility, and energy and encourage him to participate in more physical activity.

A Constant Supply of Fresh Water

Adding and Automatic Dog Water Bowl like the Perpetual Well to home will ensure your dog is well hydrated. Water is an essential component of the body and is also very important for specific body processes like the circulation of blood, digestion, and removal of waste which can all have an impact on your senior dog’s energy level. Being dehydrated can make your older dog very lethargic and can have an overall negative effect on your dogs’ health.

Exhibit Positivity

Senior dogs are sensitive and intuitive. They’ve known you for a long time and can gauge when something is off. If you’re feeling tired, depressed, or lazy, they’re bound to sense it and follow your lead. Make the effort to exude an upbeat attitude around your pet, even when you’re having a bad day. Communicating with your dog in a happy tone and using positive body language may be all that’s needed to perk him up and lift his mood. But any amount of time you can spend making him feel safe loved, and peaceful will help recharge his spirit.

Stay on Top of Your Senior Dog’s Health

Probably the best thing you can do to boost your senior dog’s energy is to remain vigilant over his health. Don’t ignore the signs or symptoms of lethargy. Instead, be proactive and get to the bottom of it. Senior dogs should have regular vet visits one or two times per year and should be seen when there’s a specific health concern, such as low energy. Sometimes the solution is as simple as treating dehydration or administering a pill to improve thyroid function. With the help of professional care, you can keep your pet in the best shape possible for as long as possible.

The lifespan of a dog is never long enough, but you can help your senior pet avoid feeling and showing his age. Take steps to improve his health and vitality, and make this phase of his life as satisfying as any other.