As pet parent of 2 amazing Shih Tzu’s and the heartache of losing one of my best friends, we like to think that we are providing a healthy, happy life for our dogs. We feed them top quality food, give them lots of love, and toss the ball around the backyard whenever we have the time. But there is a lot more that goes into raising a healthy pet. And sometimes, our busy lifestyles cause us to overlook some simple measures that could help to extend the lifespan of our canines.
Dogs have been called man’s best friend, and most people really do love their dogs more than their own family members. However, well-meaning people often inadvertently do all kinds of things that shorten their beloved pet’s life.
Owning a dog is an enormous responsibility, but people frequently get caught up in new puppy love. They don’t think through the ramifications of dog-ownership and, many times, the dog is the one that pays the price.
According to Canada’s Pet Information Centre for Dogs, Cats, and Humans, the average life span of a dog in North America is over 12 years. When people take good care of their dogs, they can help them live longer, healthier, and happier lives. However, the reverse is true as well.
When people do not take proper care of their dogs, they can shorten the dog’s life span. Here are 15 ways that people unnecessarily shorten their dog’s life.
1. Letting Your Dog Become Obese – Overweight Dogs
According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, an estimated 53 percent of dogs were overweight last year. In addition to that, the association found that 95 percent of the owners of these obese dogs incorrectly identified their pets as being at a normal weight.
For example, when a dog eats 1 ounce of cheddar cheese, it is equivalent in calories to a human eating 1.5 hamburgers or 3 chocolate bars. And it’s not just people food that presents the issue—some dogs are simply being fed too much dog food or treats. Treat each treat like a candy bar. Would you give your child 8 candy bars a day?
Limiting the amount of people food you give to your pup and making sure that you are correctly monitoring his intake of kibble. Pet parents increase their obese pets’ exercise routines, even if that means getting creative. If it is cold outside or the owner is unable to exercise much, put a leash on your dog and take them for a few laps around your backyard or house. Or put a leash on them and take them for a tour around the inside of your house, do anything to get him moving.
If the weight still isn’t coming off, consult your veterinarian, as they may want to put your pet on a dietary program. Your vet may also be able to help identify an underlying disorder, like hyperadrenocorticism or hypothyroidism, that may be contributing to weight gain.
2. Not Providing Proper Vaccinations To Dogs
Even if a dog is an indoor dog, he really does need to be vaccinated against common diseases. Diseased dogs don’t even have to come in contact to spread certain diseases like parvovirus because infected saliva can carry the illness. Most dogs have to go outside to relieve themselves, so they should be protected by vaccinations.
According to the American Humane Association, dogs should receive these vaccinations:
- DHPP — This shot contains antibodies that will protect the dog against four common canine diseases: distemper, parvovirus, parainfluenza, and hepatitis.
- Rabies — This is a disease that is always fatal, and rabies vaccinations are usually required by law in most areas of the United States. This disease is often spread by wildlife, so all dogs should be protected against rabies.
- Bordetella — The bordetella shot protects dogs against a respiratory illness commonly called “kennel cough.” If a dog goes anywhere that other dogs will be present, he needs a kennel cough vaccine. This includes groomers, boarding kennels, dog shows, and dog parks.
- Canine Influenza — This is another respiratory disease that can be transmitted anywhere that dogs frequent. Animal shelters and kennels struggle to keep this virus away, so dog owners should be proactive in vaccinating their dogs against canine influenza.
- Lyme disease — This disease is transmitted by tick bites, and all it takes is a single bite to infect a dog.
- Corona Virus — This intestinal disease causes severe, dehydrating diarrhea that can kill a small dog quite quickly.
- Leptospirosis — This vaccination is sometimes included with a distemper shot. This bacterial infection that can be spread from animals to humans is not prevalent in every community; however, it is common in areas of the country with humid climates and standing water.
Something as simple as a yearly series of shots can extend a dog’s life by protecting it against common canine illnesses. Dog owners should ask their vets which vaccines they should give their dogs each year.
3. Brushing Your Dogs Teeth and Maintaining Healthy Gums 
Periodontal disease (gum disease), is a common problem in dogs. As the American Humane Society reports, veterinarians estimate that 85 percent of dogs over five years of age suffer from the condition, which develops after food and bacteria collect along the gum line and form plaque in a dog’s mouth. A build-up of oral bacteria can ultimately lead to all sorts of health problems for your pet, including heart valve problems and infections within the kidneys.
Grabbing a toothbrush and scrubbing your dog’s teeth as often as you can. You can get pet toothpaste and a dog toothbrush at any pet store or here.
It’s not that difficult to brush your dog’s teeth (the finger brush works great) and there are chew toys and bones that assist in reducing plaque, as well as water additives that help maintain oral health. It’s also a good idea to schedule a visit with your veterinarian for a professional cleaning session at least once each year.
4. Dangers of Second-Hand Smoke For Your Dog
The silent killer as I say. Just like humans, canine lungs are not equipped to handle smoke being blown at them all day. According to Dr. Werber, second-hand smoke can be extremely detrimental to pets, causing all sorts of ailments, such as an increased cancer risk and harmful respiratory issues.
Obviously the ideal way to tackle this situation is to abstain from smoking yourself. But if the habit is important to your lifestyle, then it’s a good idea to make sure that you do it away from your dog. Keep your dog in the house while you go outside on the patio to have a puff.
5. Not Properly Training Your Dog
Training is an enormous part of dog ownership. This part of having a dog takes a lot more work than many people realize, but it is only through consistency and discipline that a young dog will go from an energetic, ill-mannered puppy to a mature, well-behaved adult dog who is a pleasure to be around.
Many dogs are very energetic and high spirited. They may get so wrapped up in their play and the joy of just being alive that they may not listen to their owners. Dogs that are not properly trained can quickly get themselves into dangerous situations. They may run into traffic, approach other people, or disappear entirely.
Even if a dog is an indoor dog, he should be taught to come immediately when called. Obviously, dogs can escape to the outdoors when someone accidentally leaves the door open. Additionally, leashes and collars can break, and the only way to retrieve the dog may be to call him back.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) says that certain breeds may be more difficult to train to come when called than others. Hound dogs can become so enthralled with trailing a scent that they are oblivious to their owner’s frantic pleas to come back. Racing dogs like greyhounds and whippets need unusual treats to motivate them to come. However, they also say that it is possible to train these types of dogs, but it does take special patience and perseverance to teach them to come.
The ASPCA recommends several games to teach a dog to come. All of these games use positive affirmation and treats to encourage the dog to come. They tell owners to start when the dog is very small to take advantage of the security that a puppy naturally finds in its owners. If a dog does not come when called, dog owners should never punish the dog because the dog will learn to relate being called with being punished.
6. Risks of Not Properly Socializing Your Dog
People do not expect infants and toddlers to understand how to properly treat others. Adults understand that social skills must be taught to little ones so that they will properly interact with other people.
Likewise, dogs must be taught proper social skills. Dogs are pack animals, and they are most content when they understand the “rules of the pack.” As a human, a dog owner must become the “dominant dog” in the pack, teaching the dog to behave correctly when interacting with other people and other dogs. According to the ASPCA, properly socialized dogs are more relaxed and happy than nervous, poorly socialized dogs.
Dogs must learn how to get along with other dogs and with new people. They must learn to properly approach another dog or an unfamiliar person without seeming threatening. Well-socialized dogs get to know one another by sniffing each other and reading one another’s body language.
Poorly socialized dogs may see other dogs and new people as threats. They may react with total panic or respond with aggression to dogs and people that do not intend any harm. Socializing a dog can take place in a dog park, in a neighborhood, or in a friend or family member’s home.
7. Forgetting To Heartworm, Flea, and Tick Preventative
These measures are just as important as remembering to keep up with your dog’s vaccinations. Flea, heartworm, and tick control is critical to the lifespan of your dog. These tiny critters spread diseases, some of which are life-threatening. Fortunately, there are many prevention options available from your veterinarian—from collars and topical spot-ons to oral medications.
I urge pet parents to purchase only veterinary approved products and to follow the recommended dosage guidelines. Dog owners should set reminders in their calendars for when their dogs are due for their next dose of preventive treatment.
I personally use an all-in-one formula called Revolution because it has worked for years. I purchase it from 1800Petmeds.
8. Forgetting To Microchip Your Dog
In 2019, the ASPCA released a study about lost pets. They found that 5 to 7 million pets entered animal shelters every year. Of those millions of pets, 3 to 4 million were euthanized. Of the dogs that entered shelters, about 60 percent had to be put down because there just was not enough space for them in the shelter.
According to the National Council on Pet Population Study and Policy, only about 15 percent of dogs are returned to their owners after ending up in a shelter. Most of those dogs are returned to their owners just because of permanent, identifying marks like a microchip.
Microchipping is the surest way of protecting a dog from being permanently separated from his family. Indoor dogs can slip out of the house, and collars can break or slip off of the dog. Microchips can never be lost or broken. A microchip is a tiny computer that is safely inserted underneath the skin of a dog, usually in the scruff of the dog’s neck. About the size of a grain of rice, a microchip transmits identifying information about the dog and the dog owner to veterinarians who have microchip readers.
If a dog is separated from its family, the animal shelter can read the microchip and get in touch with the owner of the dog so that the animal can be returned safely to where he belongs.
9. Feeding Dangerous Foods to Your Dog – What Dogs Can’t Eat
Dog owners must be aware of the treats that can hurt their dogs. Certain people foods can be very dangerous for dogs to eat. Cesar Millan tells people to avoid giving any of the following treats to their dogs because they can make a dog very sick, and sometimes even can kill the dog.
- Xylitol — It is an artificial sweetener that can be found in diet snacks, chewing gums, and candies. If a dog accidentally ingests this artificial sweetener even in very small amounts, the dog can suffer liver failure, low blood sugar, and seizures. Without quick medical care, the dog can die very quickly.
- Raisins and Grapes — In certain breeds of dogs, raisins and grapes can cause kidney failure. Even if the dog pulls through, the damage to the kidneys can be permanent. To be safe, dog owners should keep these two foods out of reach of their dogs.
- Chocolate — Most people are aware that chocolate is extremely poisonous to dogs. Dark chocolates are even more toxic than milk chocolates, so owners should keep these treats well out of reach of their dogs. Eating chocolate can cause abnormal heartbeats, kidney damage, and eventually, death to your dog.
- Onions — Some dogs really do love onions. However, too many onions can cause the dog to become anemic.
If a dog owner does discover that his dog has somehow ingested any of these substances, he should immediately call the vet. Owners should not wait and see if the dog will be okay, because irreversible damage can be done over the course of just a few minutes or an hour or two.
Even if it is after-hours, dog owners should never wait to take the dog in for an examination. For instance, dog owners may be told to induce vomiting in the dog by administering a small amount of hydrogen peroxide to the dog. However, owners should only do so under the advisement of the vet.
10. Recognizing Health Issues with Your Dog – Knowing Your Dogs Health
Dog owners must be vigilant about their dogs’ health. Dogs cannot communicate with words, so it is up to the owners to pay attention to the dog’s health by watching him closely. Dog owners should watch for anything out of the ordinary and address potential problems right away.
A small medical issue can become a large one if it goes unaddressed for too long, so conscientious dog owners should not hesitate to at least give the vet a call if things seem odd for their dogs.
Here are a few “red flags” from Healthline – Pet Health that can raise the alert that things are amiss with a dog.
- Not eating — It is not unusual for a dog to stop eating for a day, especially if it is hot. But if a dog does not eat for more than two days, the owner should call the vet.
- Drinking more than normal — Of course, if the weather is scorching and the dog is outside quite a bit, he will be thirstier than normal. However, excessive thirst for no reason can indicate diabetes or kidney disease. So, you better visit the vet.
- Lethargy — Some dogs are just naturally more sluggish than others, but a previously energetic dog who suddenly does nothing but lay around could have one of several serious health conditions. Lethargy that lasts more than a day or two warrants a visit to the veterinarian.
- Odd-looking stool — If a dog suddenly develops strange bowel movements that last more than two days, the vet probably ought to take a look at him. Intestinal parasites, dietary problems, or bacterial infections can change a dog’s poop, so knowing what is normal for the dog is very important.
- Sudden loss of weight — If a dog seems to lose weight over just a few weeks for no reason, owners should take the dog in for a check-up. Several serious conditions can cause dramatic weight loss, and some of them can be treated if they are caught in time.
