We asked the scientists from the project Dog Aging Project for practical tips on how to improve your dog's lifespan—from what to feed them to exactly how often they should be walked.
What if walking your dog every day could... prolong their life? What if playing games with them, brushing their teeth, or taking them to the park could give them a few more years? These are the questions that scientists from Dog Aging Project, a scientific endeavor that explores healthy aging in dogs, strive to answer. Although the researchers eventually hope to be able to extend it dog's lifespan using the latest in longevity medicine, along the way they discover lots of simple, practical things you can do to help your pet stay lively in the meantime.
Audrey Ruple, a veterinary epidemiologist at Virginia Tech, isn't surprised that people are increasingly determined to help their dogs live longer. "As people have become more attached to their dogs individually, their lifespan "We think the same way we think about our own," says Ruple. While certain factors, such as genetics and environmental exposure, are beyond our control, there are a few things we can do to help our dogs live longer.
1. Give them plenty of movement — and be consistent
Basically, one of the most effective things you can do to help your puppy live long and healthy life is that it you exercise regularly. Kate Creevy, professor and researcher at the Dog Aging Project, says the body of evidence strongly suggests that it is physical activity associated with better cognitive health and fewer medical diagnoses reported by owners.
This is because exercise lowers the rate obesity, which is associated with a higher risk of diseases such as diabetes, osteoarthritis, and impaired respiratory function that can shorten a dog's life.
How much activity does your dog need?
The Pet Obesity Prevention Association recommends the least 30 minutes of aerobic activity per day, but the amount largely depends on the breed and nature of your friend. The key, regardless of breed, is to be consistent.
“"Weekend warriors" — dogs who are mostly sedentary and then have short bursts of excessive activity (like a vigorous hike or long run) — can experience a whole host of health problems. "Just like with people, like that intermittent extreme activity more likely to cause injuries“", says Creevy.
Walking is the most obvious solution, but you can also jog, hike, swim, enroll them in agility classes, or play fetch, Frisbee, and tug-of-war. The best exercise is the one you and your dog will do.
2. Help your dog make friends
Dog Aging Project researchers further found that social connection can have a profound impact on dog welfare. Dogs that had more human and animal friends had fewer owner-reported medical diagnoses, such as osteoarthritis, allergies, and gastrointestinal diseases, a 2023 study found.
These friendships stimulate dogs and they hold them cognitively engaged. "Dogs are a social species, just like humans," says Creevy. The findings build on older research that shows that dogs living in enriched environment(think: stimulating toys and lots of play) were mentally sharper later in life.
Play. with your dog, take him to excursions and let him hang out with his furry friends if it gets along with other animals. „If you do these things during their life, you might be able to postpone cognitive decline at your dog's later," advises Creevy.
3. Spay or neuter your dog
Studies have consistently shown that dogs who are sterilized or neutered live longer than dogs that don't. Why?
- In females, sterilization dramatically reduces the risk of breast cancer and eliminates the risk of uterine and ovarian cancer.
- In males, castration prevents testicular cancer and reduces the risk of prostate disorders.
Neutered dogs also tend to be less aggressive and they are less likely to wander in search of a mate, thus reducing the likelihood of being hit by a car or fighting with another animal.
It is best to consult with veterinarian about the ideal time for the procedure.
4. Follow science — not trends — when feeding them
From dry food to home cooked and raw food, there are countless options. But many wear a string health risks.
The biggest problem which veterinarians see it overfeeding. People often underestimate how much food they give their puppies, says Erik Olstad. Obesity can trigger a cascade of negative health effects — accelerating arthritis, making it harder to recover from injuries, and contributing to kidney and liver problems. That's why obesity is linked to shorter lifespan in about 2.5 years, according to some estimates, while lean body mass connected with longer lifespan.
Tips for proper dog nutrition
Olstad's advice? Keep it simple. Both Creevy and Olstad recommend choosing a filling pet food nutritional standards which he determined AAFCO (an organization that assesses and standards for animal feed). Look for it AAFCO nutritional adequacy statements on the packaging, which guarantees that the food is complete and balanced.
Detailed information on standards for complete and balanced food https://www.aafco.org/
5. Visit the vet at least once a year — and more often as they get older
Scheduling routine checkups for your pet can help you Catch diseases early, start treatment earlier and improve long-term health outcomes i your dog's lifespan. A 2023 scientific paper found that dogs that were regularly examined by a veterinarian 30 percent less likely that they will develop chronic diseases.
How often should you take your dog to the vet? After puppy visits, dogs should (ideally) see a vet once a year, and then twice when they enter their senior years. Regular vaccination and access to medicines against flea, worm and tick they also dramatically reduce the risk of infectious and parasitic diseases.
6. Brush their teeth
Dental care is also associated with a reduced mortality rate in dogs. Dental diseases can trigger inflammation in the body, cause life-threatening infections and worsen pre-existing health conditions such as heart disease.
Daily brushing is ideal, but even a few quick swipes across their teeth several times a week is useful. The goal is not for your dog to live forever, but to maximize it your dog's health range — the length of the dog's life in which they are active and disease-free.
German Shepherd as a pet https://apachannel.com/2025/10/10/njemacki-ovcar-kucni-ljubimac-porijeklo-njega-i-trening/