17 Simple Things You Can Do To Make Your Dog Live Longer

We all wish our dog could live forever. However, until we discover the Fountain of Youth, this remains an elusive dream.

BUT that doesn’t mean we can’t help our dogs live long, fulfilling lives. In the spirit of longevity, here are 17 things you can do to make your dog live longer.

Regular exercise  will keep your dog healthy, active and engaged and that all adds up to more time with your furry BFF.

Hey, if your  dog’s teeth fall out , they can’t really eat well can they? And eating, well, it’s an essential part of well, living.

On average, small dogs  tend to live longer  than larger ones (sorry, Great Danes).

Mutts and mixed breeds tend to  live longer  than pure-breeds. Well you know how genetics work. In-breeding = health problems. Lots of varied DNA = a stronger, healthier dog.

Stress makes people sad, which makes them more prone to age and illness (evidence: look at Obama before he went into office. Now look at him. See the difference?). The  same applies  for pooches. A relaxed, anxiety-free doge is a healthier one. A healthy dog lives longer.

You go to the doctor to catch any diseases in their nascent stages to nip ’em in the bud. Why  wouldn’t you do  the same for your pup?

DON’T LET YOUR DOG DIE FROM DOG POLIO. Ok, that’s not a thing, but you get the drift. Also, make sure to check in with your vet so that your dog is getting the  appropriate vaccinations  at the appropriate stages in their life.

It’s just not a good idea  for canines. Really, it’s not (and not a great one for hoomans either).

One of the biggest threats to your dog’s  life is obesity . So don’t make your pup  a candidate  for the Biggest Loser.  This study  even showed a restricted calorie diet helps dogs live longer.

Good recall  can save a dog’s life. Trust me on this. Don’t suddenly wish this was something you’d worked on when it’s too late and they’re off-leash and running towards the road with a car coming straight for ’em.

#AmIRight moms? But seriously, this is  actually something  that’s debatable, and you have to do it at the right time in the pup’s life.

According to the State of Pet Health 2014 Banfield Hospital  report , dogs live longer in these two states.

There’s  a reason hygenine  is important to health. It prevents all sorts of insects, diseases and icky germs from attacking.

Strong bonds make strong pups. Plus, the  more socialized  a dog is, the less stressed out and anxious they are–and less prone to getting into a ruckus that results in an injury.

A little exercise  a day is better than long walks on the weekends with nothing during the week.

Make sure your dog is comfy, but also keep an eye on  those joints . Joint problems are a major thing for pups, and deteriorating bones can lead to an earlier demise.

However long your pup lives, love ’em and love ’em good. There’s only one pup in the world that’s yours, so cherish the time you have with them!