Pet Longevity: How To Extend The Life of Your Pet

For many of us, life is simply not complete without our pets. We’ll do anything we can to support their longevity.  Just like we aspire to human healthspan so too can you create a program to for your pet.  We spoke to pet health experts about how you can help your fluffy loved ones also enjoy longevity. 

What You Need to Know About Pet Longevity

The basics we know:

• Feed them a high-quality diet;
• Take them for a walk every day, for at least half an hour;
• Ensure that they get their necessary vaccinations on time
• Provide them with a clean and hygienic environment;
• Don’t leave them alone for long periods of time;
• Ensure that they have comfortable beds;
• Love them unconditionally; and
• Get them professional help when they need it.

But what else can we do to give our pet the best life?

Your Pet’s Dental Health

When was the last time you took your pet to the vet for a dental cleaning? While it’s recommended that you brush your pet’s teeth at home, your vet has the essential tools and skills needed to perform a deeper clean.

Regular dental cleanings are an essential part of your pet’s preventive care. Not only will they protect your teeth, but, because oral health and general health are intrinsically linked, they can also reduce the risk for several debilitating symptoms and some serious health complications.

Anything present in the mouth, including decay-causing bacteria, can enter the bloodstream and then pass into the rest of the body, affecting the major organs. This puts your pet at risk for health conditions such as heart, kidney, and liver disease. 

Dr. Tammy-Lou Taylor, a veterinarian at the Johannesburg Specialist Veterinary Centre, explains: “Pets have the same nerve receptors in their oral cavity as humans do, meaning that, as we experience tooth pain, they too feel the pain of a diseased tooth, without the means to communicate.”

Did you know that you can tell quite a bit about your pet’s overall well-being from their breath? For example, animals with diabetes often have sweet-smelling breath, while ongoing bad breath (despite no signs of dental disease) can be indicative of issues with the gastrointestinal tract or organs.

Certain Foods Are Toxic to Pets

“For a healthy pet, any pet food brand that has been registered with the PFI (Pet Food Industry Association of South Africa) can be trusted. These brands follow a strict code of conduct to ensure the well-being and safety of a pet through the manufacturing of safe, nutritious food,” Taylor says.

It’s important to know that certain foods are toxic to dogs. These include onions, garlic, chocolate, xylitol, grapes, raisins, and all parts of an avocado.

If you’re considering feeding your pet a raw food diet, you should ensure that you’ve read up on all the associated risks. First, you’ll be taking your pet’s nutrition into your own hands. Specific vitamins and minerals crucial for your pet’s health may not be present in your pet’s raw diet. For example, without the right amount of calcium, your puppy could develop skeletal problems.

Too much protein, fat, or other nutrients may lead to other health issues. Furthermore, raw food diets are more likely than any other pet food to carry bacteria, including Salmonella and listeria monocytogenes, which cause food-borne illnesses.

Children and the elderly are susceptible to food-borne illnesses and should never come into contact with the food or feces of pets fed raw. 

On the issue of bones, they do provide some protection against calculus, but not against the more destructive periodontal disease, and there is also the risk of fractured teeth. In addition, there is a serious risk of choking or esophageal obstruction and damage. Excessive consumption of bones also leads to constipation in dogs and cats. 

Don’t overfeed your pet

“Don’t overfeed your pet, no matter how much they look at you with longing eyes,” Taylor warns. “Overfeeding does our pets more harm than good. Many owners confuse food for love. Fat is pro-inflammatory, and an overweight dog with a higher body fat content is not only more prone to diseases such as diabetes and pancreatitis, but overall, their lifespan is reduced by 25-30%. 

“Overweight pets with osteoarthritis also battle joint pain, and my first piece of advice to any owner whose pet has osteoarthritis is weight loss.’’ 

“Beware of feeding too many treats, and, if they’re already on the verge of being too well padded, choose a low-calorie pet biscuit or a carrot, or avoid treats altogether. Stick to their diet of kibble and avoid table scraps, as these not only make them fussy eaters, but they also negatively impact their body condition score.’’ 

Pet insurance

If you don’t have pet insurance, why not? Pet insurance allows you to provide the best possible care for your pet. Policies can cover a variety of medical expenses for your pet, including accidents, illnesses, and routine check-ups. Some policies may also cover preventive care, such as vaccinations and flea control.

In South Africa, there are several companies offering pet insurance policies. It’s important to research the different policies available and choose one that best suits your needs and budget. 

Probiotics

As with humans, probiotics are extremely beneficial in supporting the balance of beneficial bacteria in your pet’s gastrointestinal system, and the health of your dog’s gut will have a significant impact on its overall health and well-being. 

“This boosts their immune system, resulting in a healthier and therefore happier pet,” Taylor says. “A large part of veterinary work involves seeing pets with gastrointestinal issues – in these cases, a probiotic helps restore natural intestinal balance. I would advise using a probiotic daily for a month in a pet who has recently had gastrointestinal upset. Some pets that experience stress, such as with travel, moving home, a change in diet, or surgery, can develop stress colitis (inflammation of the large intestine), and, in such cases, it may be beneficial to treat with a probiotic.”

Regular checks

“Each pet should have an annual clinical exam at their local vet. During such a visit, your vet should discuss oral health, body condition score, vaccination status, deworming, and, if your pet is a senior citizen, the necessary blood work needed to pick up treatable diseases early,’’ Taylor says.

The secret to pet longevity is maintaining a lean body mass, ensuring moderate amounts of exercise, and, of course, giving them loads of love and attention.

The world’s oldest dog

There is a debate on about who the world’s oldest dog is. The title for the world’s oldest dog is currently in flux after Bobi, a Portuguese Rafeiro do Alentego who was proclaimed to live to 31 years had his Guinness World Record revoked due to doubts about his age verification. Veterinarians questioned the claim; the previous record holder was Australia’s Bluey, an Australian Cattle Dog who lived to be 29 years and 160 days old, making Bluey the oldest verified dog ever. Bobi’s record was validated by a Portuguese database but lacked independent proof, leading to the investigation.  

About Bluey

His owner, Leonel Costa, attributed Bobi’s long life to his diet of unseasoned human food, his freedom to roam unleashed through the forests and farmland close to home, and the calm countryside in which he grew up.

“Of course, our love and affection throughout his life also helped,” Costa told Reuters. Apart from one health scare in 2018, Bobi lived a relatively healthy life.

Editor’s note

This article was first published exclusively in one of our annual Longevity print bookazine editions, available in digital format for download. This edition is packed with content themed on Living Beyond 100.

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While the aforementioned article featured in the previous issue of Longevity, our latest issue includes even more incredible articles and features. Our “Back to Earth” issue is Longevity’s must-have edition for anyone ready to reflect on what we put in and on our bodies.

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