Bluey, the oldest dog ever was an Australian Cattle Dog who died at an age of 29 years 5 monthsVs
Jean Louise Calment of France died in 1997 who was the oldest person to have ever lived with an age of 122 years and 164 days.
If we take 29 years of the oldest dog Bluey and 122 years of Jean Louise Calment and perform the same calculation, we get 1 human years equalling 4.2 dog year. It’s easy to see that the popularly believed 7-year theory doesn’t always hold up.
This is simply because there are more than a few factors that can determine the lifespan of a dog.The size of the animal is an important determinant. It’s seen that smaller dogs usually live longer than the large breeds. It’s also important to note that a dog reaches maturity much faster.
In terms of rate of maturity, a dog’s 1st year is more like 15 years for humans.
A good approach to convert dog-years to human-years is to find out the average lifespan of the breed and the average life expectancy of humans in your country.
If you own an Akita in Japan, then your dog’s 1 year equals your 6.9 years
(Average human life expectancy in Japan is 83.1 years and the dog breed Akita has an average lifespan of 12)
If you own a Rottweiler in The United States, then your dog’s 1 year equals your 8.7 years
(Average human life expectancy in the US is 78.74 years and the dog breed Rottweiler has an average lifespan of 9 years)
HOW TO ENSURE THAT YOUR DOG
LIVES A LONG AND HEALTHY LIFE
Factors Influencing Life Expectancy Of Dogs
As a responsible pet parent, your primary goal is to ensure your dog lives a happy, healthy, and long life. Now, you already know that life expectancy of dogs depends on size and specific-breed. However, there are some factors you can control that may increase your dog’s lifespan. Simple habits and effective medical care can work in favor of your dog’s health by boosting its immunity and keeping diseases at bay. While death is an inevitable climax of all life, you can do your part to ensure your dog remains active and healthy for as long as possible. This is exactly why we bring you our list of 7 factors that can influence life expectancy of dogs.
Eliminate Overfeeding:
If you think feeding your dog a ‘little’ more won’t hurt then think again. Obesity makes dogs susceptible to heart diseases and other life-threatening conditions. According to a study, Labradors fed 25% less lived at an average 2 years longer than dogs who were given more food.
Get Them Neutered:
Neutering helps in warding off certain life-threatening diseases and can potentially increase your dog’s lifespan by 1 to 3 years. This simple medical procedure can keep diseases such as testicular cancer, uterine cancer, breast cancer, and prostrated problems at bay.
Keep Your Dog’s Teeth Healthy:
Poor dental health can potentially release harmful bacteria into the dog’s bloodstream . Maintain a proper dental care routine using proper dog toothpaste and brush.
Give Them The Regular Dose of Exercise:
Talk to a veterinarian to find out how much exercise your dog needs. A daily dose of exercise keeps the heart healthy and boosts immunity.
Take Them to the Vet for Regular Check-ups:
Early detection of illnesses can prove to be the difference between life and death. Take your pet to the vet at least once every 6 months for thorough check-ups.
Don't Create a Stressful Atmosphere:
Keep your dog protected from factors that induce panic and stress. This will reduce the secretion of stress hormones and help boost immunity.
Don’t Buy Questionable Dietary Products and Supplements:
Buy supplements and dog food that are manufactured by reputed pet care companies. At PetCareRx, we feature FDA-approved dog food brands and supplements that are manufactured by some of the most respected pet care companies on the planet.
Things That Can Boost Your Dog's Immunity and Heath
We talked about habits and measures that can help increase your dog’s life expectancy. While those are equally important, some specific food items can strengthen your dog’s immunity and health. We at PetCareRx, understand the importance of providing a well-balanced meal of high-quality kibble, supplements, and natural food.
Unsweetened Yoghurt:
Curd is a great source of probiotic, which can keep your pooch’s gastrointestinal system in shipshape. Yoghurt is also one of the best sources of calcium. When buying yoghurt always choose the unflavoured and unsweetened variety.
Glucosamine and Chondroitin:
Glucosamine and Chondroitin have great cartilage rebuilding properties. They are great for improving joint health and as preventive joint care supplements. At PetCareRx, we feature all the top Glucosamine and Chondroitin products.
Fish Oil:
Both natural and supplementary forms of fish oil is known to improve cardiac health and boost immunity. Apart from improving immunity, fish oil also helps in combating inflammation and it can add a healthy shine to your dog’s coat.
Peppermint:
Both natural and supplementary forms of fish oil is known to improve cardiac health and boost immunity. Apart from improving immunity, fish oil also helps in combating inflammation and it can add a healthy shine to your dog’s coat.
Coconut Oil:
Coconut oil comes with a whole range of health benefits. It prevents skin related problems, acts as a digestive aid, and even lowers the chances of diabetes. Virgin coconut oil supplements can also be applied on skin rashes and dry spots.
COPING WITH THE LOSS OF YOUR BEST FRIEND
6 Ways to Overcome the Sorrow of Losing a Pet Dog
Dealing with the loss of a pet dog is no less traumatic than losing a human family member. The death of a pet can be devastating news which can push pet parents towards clinical depression or worse. A sudden loss of a pet can hit pet owners with a whole range of emotions right from immense sadness to feelings of regret and guilt. Following are a few suggestions on how to deal with the heartbreak of losing your beloved pet pal.
Talks to People Who Have Been in This Situation: Surround yourself with dog lovers who can empathize and help you through the pain. Seek out people who have lost their pets in the past and learn how they overcame the pain and restarted their lives.
Accept the Grief and Don't Be Ashamed to Express It: One of the biggest steps to cope with the sorrow is to acknowledge its existence. Don’t subdue your feelings instead express it openly by letting the tears out.
Don't Allow Anyone to Belittle Your Grief: The sorrow associated with losing a pet is a genuine emotion and you should not let anyone tell you otherwise. For someone who has never lost a pet, it’s difficult to understand what you are going through. Express your grief and move on at your own pace.
Consider Organizing a Memorial: Calling a few pet loving friends for a small gathering may help you deal with the pain. Keep the guest list short and only include people who love dogs or had a loving connection with your pet.
Don’t Ignore Your Health: Even though it may seem impossible but try to maintain a healthy routine. Make sure you continue to eat healthily and get your daily 8 hours of sleep.
If Required Speak to a Doctor: You should consider seeking help from a professional if you think the grief is compromising your physical and mental health.