When people ask why dogs have short life, there is a scientific verdict to this.
The answer can be found in how quickly a species develops, as is the case with many animal species.
Dogs don’t live longer than people because they develop quicker than we do.
Teeth don’t begin to form in humans until about month four.
While dogs begin teething during the third or fourth week of life.
As we all know, 1 human year is equal to 15 dog years.
The chart below will explain why we have such long lives and dogs have shorter.
Source–https://tractive.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/dog-years-to-human-years-how-to-count.png
Common mistakes that humans make are by expecting from people whom they love.
What is important to you, might be useless to someone.
In the same way, we make mistakes with our dogs.
We accidentally kill them without even knowing it,
We all wished that our fur friends would live forever, did not we?
Perhaps, we lose them at an early stage due to Mistakes that Shorten Your Dog’s Life!
It is unfortunate that even after loving them so much, we accidentally make mistakes that can be very fatal.
We must stop these dangerous habits in order to save them and give them longer lives.
The following 20 common mistakes that shorten your dog’s life are shown in this content.
1. Excess weight gain
One of the most frequent errors made by dog owners is failing to maintain a healthy weight for their pets.
Research from the University of California found that overweight dogs have a higher risk of developing a number of major health issues, such as osteoarthritis and diabetes mellitus.
In addition to these issues, bulkier dogs have more difficulty moving about than their lighter counterparts.
It could therefore be fatal if your dog ever needs to defend himself against an intruder.
Owners may find it particularly challenging to lose weight while working with their dogs if they are unaware of their weight or where they stand on the scale.
Keep your dog at the proper weight with the help of dog foods like Royal Canin Weight Management.
2. Separation Anxiety
Your dog’s life will be cut short if you keep them in a large dog kennel, ignore them, or forbid them from interacting with other dogs.
Dogs naturally crave other dogs and people, so leaving them alone all day while you’re at work causes them to feel lonely, melancholy, and bored.
Due to excess separation anxiety, dogs suffer brutally.
This is one of the common mistakes that Shorten Your Dog’s Life.
You must keep them with you as much as possible.
This will keep them mentally healthy and happy.
3. Frequent Exercise
The most crucial aspect of a dog’s regimen is exercise, yet it’s also one of the simplest to overlook.
Dogs exercise daily to maintain their health and happiness, much like people and many other animals do.
For your dog, what does “exercise” mean, though?
It can range from easy activities like strolls around the block or romps in the park with you to more difficult ones like agility training, where they pick up tricks and compete with one another.
When engaging your dog in training exercises, use a dog training collar.
Some dogs are highly active and require continual stimulation, but others are more relaxed and like spending a few hours each day at home by themselves.
Your pet’s personality will determine the type of exercise you give him, but keep in mind that all dogs become bored fast if they don’t get enough exercise.
4. Regular Vet Check-ups
Did you know that taking your dog to the vet for regular checkups can actually extend his life, even though you undoubtedly know when to do so?
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, dogs should visit the veterinarian at least once every six months.
Although this may seem excessive to you, there are a number of reasons why it is crucial to do so, including learning about new medications and immunizations and spotting any signs early on for more efficient treatment.
Additionally, visiting the veterinarian keeps your animal companion healthy and prolongs its lifespan.
5. Sweet Treats
Using snacks as a meal replacement can lead to overeating and weight gain, which can result in conditions like diabetes and arthritis.
Too many goodies can encourage undesirable behavior in your dog.
However, if he receives a treat every time he behaves in a proper manner, it may eventually become expected.
He can start expecting to jump up on people or bark at other animals when there are no treats around.
Owners frequently find it difficult to control these kinds of behavior
This is hence one of the very well-known common Mistakes that Shorten Your Dog’s Life.
Some snacks, like the Milk-Bone dog treats, are beneficial for your health.
6. Ignoring Symptoms & Signs of Disease
Learning to observe your dog’s behavior and physical symptoms is the first step.
When you see something weird or if they start acting differently, the next step is to have them examined by a veterinarian.
No matter how long you wait, ignoring sickness symptoms or indicators won’t make them go away on their own.
Understanding what veterinarians do for us when we see them is the third stage.
They establish diagnoses based on symptoms and signals shown by our pets.
So how can we expect our dogs to get better if we don’t take them in for checkups?
Veterinarians aren’t magicians; they require our input to make a precise diagnosis.
7. Not Providing the Correct Food
Given that they are omnivores, dogs require a balanced diet, such as Hill’s Science Diet, which includes meat, vegetables, and fruit.
A diet low in fat and high in protein is also advised for them. Dogs should consume kibble or canned food that is supplemented with vitamins and minerals and contains:
- calcium promotes healthy bones
- for healthy blood cells, iron
- taurine to maintain heart health;
- zinc for female reproduction;
- selenium to support thyroid health; and
- Niacin (vitamin B3) for generating energy
8. Bad dental hygiene
While there are many health issues that poor dental care can contribute to in your dog, it’s one of the most manageable and avoidable.
Excessive gum bleeding is the most evident indicator that your dog has bad teeth.
Make an appointment with the veterinarian for an examination if you detect gums that are bright red or stained with blood. Other indications include:
- greater than usual drooling
- Having persistently bad breath over time
- difficulty biting toys or hard meals
9. Allowing canines to engage in fights
Your dog will probably get wounded if you allow it to get into fights.
By being bitten by another animal, your dog could get diseases like rabies or tetanus.
A stranger’s animal can become out of control if it has a serious bite wound and ends up biting your dog.
If the other animal has rabies, to begin with, it can also result in rabies.
Pet owners need to understand that canine destruction does not resemble that of humans.
When taking your puppy outside, put them on a tight leash or in a dog harness to protect them from all these hazards.
Additionally, make sure they are kept within at night when wild creatures prowl the area in search of food.
10. Improper Hygiene
Maintaining your dog’s cleanliness is one of the most crucial things you can do to keep it happy and healthy. Here are some brief pointers:
Regularly give your dog a bath. It’s vital to bathe them at least once a month, but if they spend a lot of time outside or get dirty easily, they might require more frequent bathing.
Additionally, if your dog interacts with other dogs on the street, apply dog flea shampoo.
Pet parents skip this and it is one of the common mistakes that Shorten Your Dog’s Life.
We recommend washing your dog no more than once a week, it is essential that dogs aren’t bathed too frequently because it can cause skin irritations, especially if the skin isn’t dried well or harsh soaps are used. Remember to always use dog shampoo.
To prevent harm to your dog’s paw while trimming its nails, use professional dog nail clippers.
11. Brushing and Grooming their hair
Dog grooming refers to both the hygienic care and cleaning of a dog, as well as a process by which a dog’s physical appearance is enhanced for showing or other types of competition.
Brush in the direction of hair growth. Don’t use too much pressure so that it hurts your dog’s skin; instead, apply firm strokes that will help remove dead hairs.
Then use a shedding blade to grab dead hairs all over the coat.
Shedding blades are an excellent way to help reduce shedding and prevent mats.
Brush their coat frequently to prevent dirt from collecting below the fur over time.
If addressed, it will make them more vulnerable on a physical and mental level.
Use a high-quality dog brush to care for your dog’s skin and fur.
12. Teaching them Basic Commands
Given that he was raised in a family and has been around people his entire life, you might assume that your dog knows how to act appropriately.
However, it goes beyond that. To be a good pet, your dog must first be taught some fundamental commands like “sit” and “stay.”
To avoid developing fear or aggression toward people or other dogs as a child, he also requires socialization with both.
Because of this, it’s crucial that you set aside some time each day to train your pet to obey orders like “sit,” “stay,” and “come.”
Your pet will get better at answering questions when you ask them more frequently if you use these techniques with them.
13. Trimming their nails
They frequently trim their nails. Your pet may experience pain and discomfort if you let them last too long.
Ask a professional for assistance on what will work best for you and your pet’s needs if you’re unsure how frequently this should be done.
The general recommendation is to cut approx 2mm away from the quick. But if a dog has black or dark claws it can be difficult or impossible to see the quick and this will make nail trimming more difficult.
14. Regular Vaccination
If you do not give your dog the necessary vaccinations only because it stays indoors, you are doing it wrong. A dog may contract a disease even when indoors through contaminated saliva.
Therefore, keeping to the vaccination schedule can protect your dog from illnesses that could be fatal:
Lyme, Leptospirosis, and rabies vaccines guard against diseases spread by ticks and wild animals, while the bordetella vaccine protects against respiratory conditions like kennel cough.
Canine coronavirus vaccine to avoid digestive problems including diarrhea and dehydration
DHPP vaccine helps guard against common canine illnesses like parvovirus, hepatitis, and distemper
Canine influenza vaccination can lower your dog’s chance of contracting the virus or lessen the severity if they do.
15. Using harmful products
Most owners also frequently give their dogs human goods like toothpaste or shampoo.
They occasionally may also use human medicines or ointments.
This is quite risky since a substance that is safe for you might be harmful to your dog. So even if they could be expensive, ensure you only spend on items designed specifically for dogs.
Additionally, be sure to only choose reliable, legitimate products that are secure and ideal for your dog. Always check the expiration date and stay away from products that have dangerous additives.
16. Letting your dog roam freely
When your dog is unrestrained, it is more likely to suffer injuries from additional threats such as snake bites, traffic accidents, and malicious people.
Your pets will be in grave danger if you leave your doors and windows open and let them roam freely.
Veterinarians are always prepared to support this assertion because it may have an impact on your dog’s longevity and promote a longer, healthier life.
What if they flee in order to mate?
or to visit with a friend?
When they spot a butterfly or bird, some dogs have a tendency to jump out of the window.
It may result in critical harm or even death!
This is one of the biggest common Mistakes that Shorten Your Dog’s Life!
So, while giving them complete freedom, exercise extreme caution!
17. Delaying neutering or spaying
Spaying or neutering not only prevents pregnancy but also promotes a long and healthy life.
Every heat cycle raises a female dog’s risk of developing uterine or mammary cancer.
Similarly, powerful dogs are more prone to infections of the urinary tract and malignancies of the prostate and testicles.
Your dog’s lifespan will most definitely be extended by spaying and neutering.
They will remain fit and active for the rest of their lives thanks to it!
18. Paying insufficient attention
If you already own a dog, you are aware of how much love and attention they require on a daily basis.
Some people are more emotional than others, whereas others are more cat-like and require seclusion.
Your four-legged dog needs your affection, attention, and enough time for shared activities like routine grooming regardless of size or age.
Dogs naturally need to be socialized early because they seek your attention.
The best way to ensure that your dog behaves well is to provide systematic training, ample exercise, and appropriate socializing.
19. Feeding them table food
Since not all dog treats are nourishing, feed your dog with utmost caution.
Similarly, not all human meals are bad for your dog. A number of foods can harm your dog’s health and possibly be lethal. Consequently, do not feed your dog any of the following foods.
Common foods that we feed dogs are hazardous for dogs!
Chocolate – Your dog should not be around chocolate. are both results. Even chocolate can kill your dog.
Even a small amount of xylitol can result in seizures, low blood sugar, liver failure, and even death if not promptly addressed. Do not give your dog chewing gum, diet meals, candy, or other goods that contain the artificial sweetener xylitol, often known as birch sugar.
Onions may result in anemia.
Grapes and raisins – Both can result in renal failure.
20. Lack of socialisation
Your dog has you at home, but he also needs to have some other company. Even your dog needs a good social life to keep him mentally engaged and interested, just like you do.
Some owners like to keep them indoors only and it is among the common Mistakes that Shorten Your Dog’s Life.
You can bring your dog to parks to socialize and play with other canines.
Organizing play dates with other dogs is another option. They remain content and unaffected by any psychological or behavioral problems thanks to socialization.
For physical, emotional, and social development, dogs require socialization and human engagement.
If not, they might be becoming restless, destructive, and hostile.
Don’t forget to compliment your dog daily on what a nice boy he is.
Conclusion
Here are the 20 common Mistakes that Shorten Your Dog’s Life!
Be aware to avoid them for a longer & healthier life for your paw pal!
Good luck!
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