Crystal Han is a freelance writer and artist . A San José State Graduate ; BFA , Animation / Illustration , she is currently working on two books .

Feed Them a Good Diet

referenced in the blog Modern

Kibble , Belgian researchers Bruno Sapy and Dr . Gerard Lippert looked at more than 500 dogs over a fiveyear period and conclusively proved that diet is one of the greatest factors affecting a dog ’ s lifespan . The tricky part is finding the right diet for your dog . Some people , like Australian Veterinarian Ian Billinghurst , swear by the raw diet , which consists of feeding dogs raw meat , bones ( whole or ground ), and vegetable and fruit scraps . Proponents of this diet swear that it extends the lifespan of their dogs and makes them more youthful . However , many mainstream veterinarians , as well as the FDA , disagree , citing studies published in veterinary journals that document risks from the raw diet such as threats to human and dog health from bacteria in raw meat and the potential for dogs to choke on whole bones , break their teeth , or experience an internal puncture .

Commercialized foods aren ’ t in the clear either since they don ’ t have stringent regulations the way human foods do and are often packed with unhealthy ingredients that can lead to diabetes , cancer , and obesity . If you would like to use commercialized food , WebMD suggests paying close attention to the labels to avoid generic “ meat byproducts ,” sugars , excess sodium , and unnecessary fillers like corn . One way to avoid commercial pet foods , according to Lisa M . Freeman , a nutrition professor at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University , is to cook a homemade diet that has been designed by a nutritionist certified by the American College of Veterinary Nutrition .

Unfortunately , no dietary choice is completely in the clear . According to WebMD , evaluations of the raw , homemade , and commercialized diets all had nutritional deficiencies or excesses that could cause health problems over time . Your best bet is to consult your veterinarian for the diet best suited for your dog ’ s individual needs

Maintain a Healthy Weight

All dog owners have been there , sitting at the dinner table with our dog imploring us for a scrap of that steak with big , innocent eyes . It ’ s so hard to say no to a face like that ! Unfortunately , too many treats and table scraps pack on the pounds , and overweight dogs are more susceptible to diseases like high blood pressure , kidney disease , diabetes , or even cancer . So as painful as it is , it ’ s best to keep the treats and snacks to a minimum .

Give Them Exercise and Mental Stimulation

While living in a fenced yard or indoors protects our dogs from the dangers of the outside world , it also limits the amount of exercise and mental stimulation that they ’ d get from roaming out on their own . That ’ s why it ’ s important your dog gets some exercise every day . The age , overall health , and breed of your dog influences what type and amount of exercise he needs , but according to the Honest Kitchen , all dogs should get at least thirty minutes of exercise a day .

Being outside is also great for getting your dog ’ s mind going , so be sure to stop and allow them plenty of sniffs when they find something interesting . You can also stimulate their minds indoors with food puzzles . Honest Kitchen explains that toys that have food in them and require thought or work to solve keeps your dog ’ s mind sharp . Toys like these will help keep your dog from getting bored , which means your remote control and power cords can stay off the chew toy list a little longer .

Practice Good Dental Hygiene and Routine Vet Visits

Tooth decay can be a very dangerous problem for dogs . Not only does it cause dental problems , but it can cause infections throughout the body , especially in the heart and kidneys . That ’ s why it ’ s so important to brush your dog ’ s teeth at least several times a week . There are all sorts of treats and toothbrushes you can get to help keep their teeth clean . Routine wellness checkups are also very important , especially if your dog is older . The sooner you catch a health issue , the easier it will be to cure it or manage it .

Give Them Plenty of Love and Attention

You are your dog ’ s world . Nothing gives them greater joy than some undivided attention and praise from you . When you play with your dog and give belly rubs or ear scratches , you ’ re keeping your dog happy , which will help them stay by your side for as long as possible .

GILROY • MORGAN HILL • SAN MARTIN SPRING 2021 gmhtoday . com

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