Written by: Wouldn’t the future look rosier if we knew our beloved pet was going to be there, still loyally by our side for many, many years to come? We all want our pets to live on forever, and many people report anxiety about their pets’ health and lifespan. But can we do anything about it, or is it all just down to chance?
There are actually many ways that we can maximize our dogs’ chances of a longer life. Let’s take a look.
Routine Care
As a veterinarian, I see dogs in all stages of life and health, from bouncy puppies to stiff geriatrics. After over ten years working in clinics, here are my top tips for helping your dog to live their longest and healthiest life.
1. Don’t skip the health checks
“Oh, I haven’t brought him in for years because we didn’t need to — he’s been just fine” — a phrase I hear a lot. Sadly, missing the recommended yearly health exam with a vet is a false economy. Pretty much every disease process you can name has a better prognosis if diagnosed early and swiftly. In their annual health examinations, your vet can pick up on mild, early symptoms of health conditions, which, if left, can lead to a swift deterioration.
A clear annual check may seem like wasted time, but it also sets a good baseline for future checks — what your dog’s usual heart rate is, their bodyweight loss or gain over time, and their usual blood pressure reading. It’s also an excellent opportunity to discuss routine and preventative care with your veterinarian, such as their diet, exercise routine, and anti-parasite treatments.
2. Keep vaccinations up to date
We are exceedingly lucky to be able to vaccinate our dogs against a myriad of severe — and often fatal — diseases. I’ve treated dogs with preventable diseases such as parvovirus and distemper, sadly, not always successfully. Vaccines keep dogs safer, but their immune systems need regular top-ups to keep immunity levels strong. Find it difficult to remember? Set a reminder, put a sticker in your diary, have an alarm set — whatever it takes to jog your memory to book your pooch in.
3. Neutering
There are certain things we do for our pets that we know improve longevity, such as a good diet, a safe environment, and prompt medical care. Having your pet desexed is not such a clear-cut decision for many, but there are some potential benefits for health. In female dogs, the risk of certain cancers, such as mammary, ovarian, and uterine, can be reduced or eliminated by neutering. A large study of Italian dogs in 2024 found that desexing had a positive impact on the longevity of pet dogs.
It’s Not All About the Meds
As a veterinarian, it’s easy for me to talk about vaccinations, medications, and worming cover, but we mustn’t forget the foundations of a long and healthy life for our pets. Getting their diet, exercise, and behavioral principles correct is also hugely important.
1. Diet
Optimal nutrition is hugely important for our pets to thrive. Commercial dog nutrition has come a long way in the last decade or so, but the amount of choice can now be somewhat overwhelming to pet owners. Whether you choose wet food or dry, the key point is to find a diet that is ‘complete’ (i.e. contains all the nutrients that your dog requires) and balanced for their age and lifestyle. My top tip? Look for a food which is approved by AAFCO (The Association of American Feed Control Officials) or FEDIAF (The European Pet Food Industry), which guide pet food nutritional recommendations.
2. Exercise
Just as it does for us, regular exercise provides dogs with both mental and physical benefits. Muscle strength, joint flexibility, body weight, cardiac health, and lung function are just some of the body areas affected by exercise, so make sure getting your dog plenty of time to play, walk, and move is a priority.
3. Training
What does dog training have to do with longevity? Sadly, euthanasia and relinquishment of dogs for behavioral causes are on the rise. Although there should be no blame or shame attributed to these desperately sad situations, starting with positive training and socialization strategies early is really important. Exposing puppies (and even older dogs) to a variety of sights, sounds, and experiences in a very positive way sets them up to be well-rounded adult dogs. Basic training also strengthens the pet-owner bond, so it’s really a win-win.
What does science say?
Now that we’ve gone through my thoughts on the basics of setting your dog up for a long and healthy life, let’s check in with the latest veterinary research on the topic of dog lifespan.
One study that analysed data from over 102,000 dogs in England found the median lifespan to be 12 years and found that one of the most important factors when considering canine longevity was breed, with some breeds such as the Miniature Poodle and Border Collie living much longer than breeds such as the Great Dane. Crossbreed dogs generally lived longer than purebred dogs, and smaller, lighter dogs lived longer than larger, heavier ones.
Another extensive study looked at over 500,000 dogs and again found that breed had a huge impact on lifespan in dogs, with breeds most at risk of early death including the Caucasian Shepherd Dog, Presa Canario, Cane Corso, and Mastiff. Brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds also had shorter lifespans than longer-muzzled dogs.
This 2024 Italian study identified longer lifespans for crossbreds, females, neutered dogs, and small-sized breeds.
Looking to the Future
I love science in part because our knowledge is constantly evolving and changing — there’s always something new and exciting on the horizon.
Over the last few years, scientists in the US have been studying a drug that may extend the lifespan of our precious pooches. Rapamycin, an anti-inflammatory medication, has been shown to extend life in mice and is now being investigated by the University of Washington’s Dog Ageing Project as to its effects in dogs. Small studies so far have found that the use of rapamycin is safe in dogs and can improve heart function. Trials are ongoing — so watch this space! — but scientists have described the initial results as encouraging.
If a magic genie appeared to me today, one of my wishes would definitely be to have my beloved pets live for many more years to come. Here’s to a long and healthy life for dogs everywhere.
Leave a Comment