How to keep your dog healthier for longer

Last updated on 5th January, 2024 at 12:04 pm

Ensure Spot, Scamp or Scout leads a long, happy life! Regular vet visits, proper exercise and a balanced diet are essential for your dog’s wellbeing and longevity. Here’s how to keep your dog in tip-top shape for as long as possible.

Reading time: 3 minutes   

In this article you’ll learn:

• Why preventative veterinary care is important.
• How regular exercise can prolong your dog’s life.

Prevention is better than a cure

Vaccinating your dog safeguards them from life-threatening diseases like rabies, parvovirus and distemper. A common misconception, however, is that an adult dog is fully vaccinated after a complete series of puppy vaccinations. “While it’s a legal requirement in South Africa to have boosters for rabies, it’s also important to boost other vaccinations every three years,” explains Dr Ian Campbell of TAH Animal Hospital, Bellville.

An annual health check-up is essential as it allows trained professionals to spot potential health problems and examine your dog’s chest, heart, stomach, eyes, ears and teeth. “People assume that dogs’ teeth clean themselves but bulldogs and Staffies, for example, don’t have wolf-like heads so their teeth don’t align in the same manner and won’t clean automatically,” says Dr Campbell. “If a dog has a cavity, abscess or rotten teeth, it hurts just as much as it does for humans.”

Make regular exercise a priority

“Regular exercise keeps the muscles toned, joints mobile and will make sure that the dog’s weight is kept under control,” says Dr Campbell. Like humans, obesity in dogs can lead to various health problems such as diabetes, joint issues and heart disease. Specific exercises like ball chasing or back-and-forth play can strain joints in many breeds, so controlled activities, like walking or running, are best.

Working and large dogs like Border collies and German shepherds need the most exercise, while toy breeds like Maltese poodles need the least. Flat-faced breeds like bulldogs, French bulldogs and Staffies are often prone to heat stress and may not handle as much exercise as you’d think.

Before you get a dog, make sure you understand all the hidden costs involved.

Keep your dog mentally stimulated

Proper training, boundaries, consistent love and routine are vital for a dog’s wellbeing and can help prevent behavioural and mental issues. “Dogs need outdoor exploration to ‘read their emails’ by smelling the plants and detecting what other dogs have been there. This helps them feel settled and supports their mental wellbeing,” says Dr Campbell.

Want to find out how to decode your dog’s behaviour? Read this article.

Proper nutrition is important

“We’ve really seen that when dogs eat healthy, scientifically formulated foods, they (generally speaking) avoid many health issues that used to be seen years ago,” says Dr Campbell.

Choose a dog food from a reputable company that invests in research to get food balanced correctly. Scientifically formulated food ensures a combination of protein, fats and micronutrients tailored to the dog’s life stage and breed.