Will expensive food make my dog live longer
20 Foods That Can Help Your Dog Live Longer
The only thing wrong with dogs is that they dont live long enough. Dogs love us more than they love themselves and enrich our lives in more ways than we can count. As dog owners, we want whats best for our furry family members and they deserve the best care we can provide.
One way we can help keep our dogs healthy, so that they live as long as possible, is by ensuring that they are getting the proper nutrition, which includes antioxidants.
How to Prevent Cancer and Heart Disease
Antioxidants help prevent cancer and cell damage. They protect the bodys cells from free radicals and strengthen the immune system. Free radicals are chemicals that cause harm to cells that are formed in the body and can overwhelm the body and cause stress, premature aging, heart disease, a weakened immune system, and cancer.
Causes of Cancer and Other Diseases
Some internally generated sources of free radicals are created in the body and occur due to inflammation, exercise, medications, heart disease, injuries, etc. External sources include second hand smoke, the chemicals we use to clean our homes, pesticides, air pollutants, radiation, and much more.
Antioxidants can neutralize free radicals and reduce their capacity to do harm to our dogs. Some free radicals are produced during normal metabolism in the body and others are found in food.
What you can Do to Help Your Dog Live Longer
The antioxidants vitamin E (-tocopherol), vitamin C (ascorbic acid), and B-carotene are vital for our dogs health and cannot be created in the body.
Some dog foods are supplemented with antioxidants but they are also readily available in fresh form and can be used to supplement food or fed as treats. The fresher the source of the food, the better for your dog. Highly processed foods loose many of their antioxidant properties and the digestive enzymes your dog needs to absorb the vital nutrition.
20 Foods that will Protect your Dogs Health
Adding and rotating these 20 foods into your dog's diet, will help your dog fight free radical damage and promote better health.
- Blueberries
- Cranberries
- Strawberries
- Apples (seeds are toxic)
- Bananas
- Peaches (pits are toxic)
- Cabbage
- Bell Peppers
- Broccoli
- Sweet potatoes
- Russet Potatoes
- Ground flax seeds
- Lentils
- Kale
- Spinach
- Carrots
- Spirulina
- Pumpkin
- Eggs
- Cheese
Feeding Tips
If your dog does not like raw vegetables, you may lightly saut the food in olive or coconut oil for a very brief time so that the food is not completely cooked yet tastes better. Or, you may grind the food and mix into your dogs meals. Some owners even feed their dog some food frozen as treats, such as blueberries and peach slices.
Owner Shares 'Secret' Diet She Feeds To Dog Turning 17 Next Month
A pet owner with two senior dogs has claimed that the secret to their long lives lies in their diet.
In a TikTok video, Jennifer Gallagher explained that her two pups live on a diet of boiled green beans, bison, and sweet potatoes. Maltipoo Maci, who will turn 17 in February, and beagle Rusty, who will turn 16 in November, both get their meals freshly prepared every day by their paw-rents using only natural ingredients.
It's this diet, combined with long morning walks, that their owner attributes to their long lives and robust health.
"Most people are shocked when I tell them that Maci is going to be 17 in a month," said the pups' owner in the now viral TikTok video, which can be seen here.
The average life expectancy for both maltipoos and beagles is between 12 and 15 years, according to the American Kennel Club.
How You Can Help Your Dog Live Longer
Vice president of veterinary medicine at Petfolk Dr. Jessica Taylor told Newsweek, "Foods that are safe for most pets include unsalted green beans, plain cooked sweet potatoes, carrots, small pieces of apple or melon, and berries like blueberries. Adding other food groups like meat is not usually necessary, and can add a significant amount of calories."
Perhaps aware of this, Gallagher had shared that she chooses to boil her lean meat of choice in order to reduce the dogs' calorie intake.
Nutritional advisor at ProDog Raw Alison Frost aired a different perspective on adding sweet potatoes to a dog's diet.
"Sweet potatoes are higher in starches than other vegetables. Better choices for a dog's diet would be lightly steamed green vegetables such as broccoli, green beans, or kale," she told Newsweek.
"Plant-based ingredients like fruits and vegetables should make up just 10 percent to 20 percent of their overall diet and ratios adjusted to meet each individual dog's requirements," she added.
Gallagher's homemade dog meals struck a chord with her following, with multiple users commenting that they make similar dietary choices for their pets.
"Good additions are eggs, sardines, blueberries, and cartilage," one user commented.
Another user wrote under the post: "My maltese [dog] lived to 21 years old. I cooked her home made food."
"We do grass-fed bison, sweet potato, and oatmeal," a further user added.
While Gallagher holds her dogs' specialized meals in high regard, she acknowledged that much more is required to strengthen their well-being.
"We walk them for at least a mile every morning," the dogs' owner told Newsweek.
"We also give them probiotics and other natural supplements," she added.
Jennifer, her husband Iron Gallagher, Maci and Rusty live in South Florida, where she runs an activewear brand and uses social media to share parts of her life and promote her business.
"I have had Maci since she was 8 weeks old and we adopted Rusty at 6 months old," Gallagher told Newsweek.
The video on @JenniferGallagher_ in which she details her dogs' carefully curated diet has quickly become her most successful social media post to date, surpassing 848,000 views.
Although much of Gallagher's audience have expressed their support for her dietary choices, there are other avenues that owners can explore to lengthen their pups' lives if regularly preparing homecooked meals proves too demanding and expensive.
"Choosing a pet food for your dog can be daunting," Petfolk's Dr. Taylor told Newsweek.
Dr. Taylor went on to tell Newsweek that the most important factor in setting a dog up for a long and healthy life is to feed them food that is nutritionally balanced for their dietary needs.
"There is no one food brand or ingredient that equates to a longer life for dogs. Puppies require a different combination of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals, compared to an adult pet. Your veterinarian can guide you on what to look for on the food label to help you make the best choice," she added.
Dr. Taylor told Newsweek that it's crucial to assess how a pet responds to the food they are fed and advised dog owners to watch for irregular stool or new imperfections in their appearance.
"When a pet is getting proper nutrition, they should have a healthy coat of hair, good muscle development, and have energy as appropriate for their breed and age," she said.
When questioned about Gallagher's reliance on sweet potatoes and green beans for her dogs, Dr. Taylor told Newsweek: "Home-cooked meals should also be used with caution, and if needed, should be formulated by a veterinary nutritionist. Dogs require specific vitamins and minerals and if not supplemented or included, can lead to life-threatening deficiencies. Many of the words on pet food labels like "holistic" and "natural" don't have any meaning or verification behind them and are strictly for marketing purposes."
While she's not in support of Gallagher's trust in sweet potatoes, ProDog advisor Alison Frost did tell Newsweek that, "the right diet will fuel your dog's microbiome, which improves their health and longevity. Studies show that dogs fed whole, fresh foods have stronger immune systems than dogs that are fed kibble."
"Broccoli is a great option for dogs; the sulforaphane it contains is known to help destroy cancer cells and damaged cells in dogs. Meanwhile, foods that are rich in antioxidants are very healthy choices, as they mop up free radicals and toxins floating around your dog's body before they can damage or harm cells," she added.
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to [email protected] with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Types of food that makes your dog live longer
The title of the world's oldest living dog was held by Max, a beagle, dachshund and terrier mix who lived till a ripe old age of 29 years (9 August 1983 - 18 May 2013). Although the average lifespan of dachshunds range between 12-13 years, his owner, Janelle Derouen who adopted him from a Louisiana sugar cane farm in 1983, claimed that she didn't treat him differently from any other dog. However, it was believed that Janelle must have provided adequate of love and care to keep Max staying healthy for such a long time.
Although we cannot promise your dogs lifespan will be extended like the longest living dog like Max, however this article will surely help you to ensure that your best furry friend lives a long and happy life with you. Bear in mind that certain dog breeds do live longer than others, but generally, this article applies to any dog.
The differences between medium-sized dogs and senior dogs
There are different guidelines on how you define a "medium-sized dog" where most of the people measure their dogs based on
- The age of the dog
- The breed of the dog
- The size of the dog
On average, a medium-sized dog can live up till 10-13 years depending on the breed. Some breeds such as Great Danes, Dalmatians, Mastiffs and German Shepherd which have a shorter life span will be considered as senior dogs when they reach 8-9 years. Be that as it may, medium-sized dog can also be based on their weigh in which an average medium-sized dog weigh around 25 pounds to 50 pounds. The following dog breeds are considered as medium-sized:
- Beagles
- Bulldogs
- Cocker Spaniel
- Springer Spaniel
Interestingly, it turns out that it is not medically agreed upon of the definition of a senior dog. Senior dogs are not necessarily based on their age as sizes and weights play a huge role too. Generally, dogs who grow to a giant size like The Great Danes which weighs 50-75 pounds have a shorter life expectancy, and their senior age would probably around 5 to 6. On the contrary, small breeds/ medium breeds tend to live longer and may not be seniors until the age of 8 to 9.
How to identify the signs of aging in your dog?
Sometimes, dog owners might think that the aging symptoms are merely illness but sadly it could be a sign that your dog is really aging. Here are some symptoms which indicate that your dog is aging:
- Bad breath, Excessive Drooling and Gums Issue
- Lumps and other skin issues
- Vision problem
- Weight gain and loss
There's a difference between Aging and Geriatric. Aging refers to the process of a dog getting older and geriatric refers to the end of senior period. Perhaps there are a few more symptoms such as
- Change in behaviour
- Difficulties following their normal sleep patterns
- Increased urination
- Lost of muscle mass
- Memory loss
If your dog is experiencing the symptoms above, you should pay a visit to the vet to ask for recommendations as they might have supplements that are suitable for senior dogs. However, the supplements could be very expensive, and if you are not able to afford to buy it every month, you should instead consider to buy better quality dog food.
Differences between Senior dog food and regular dog food
Are there any difference ? The answer is not necessarily. In fact some products are just being market differently; that only the packing has changed.
[blockquote font="3"]There's no regulation of dog foods claiming to cater to seniors, which is why there's so much confusion on the topic[/blockquote]There certainly are, some dietary factors are able to help/ manage physical and medical change as they age. Here are some of the ways a senior dog diet might differ from a regular dog diet
- Added joint supplements
- Added MCT, omega-3s, and antioxidants
- Higher digestibility
- Nutrient adjustments
- Softer texture to fight dental diseases
How to choose the right dog supplement for your dog
There are so many supplements out there which easily fill an entire medicine cabinet with different products - all targeted to meet different needs of senior dogs. Nonetheless, many supplements companies include fillers and low quality ingredients, so it's hard to know whether all of those supplements are even doing any good. Here's a guide on what to look for when buying supplements for your kiddos.
Supplement for medium-sized dogs
Medium-sized/ adult dogs still need lots of exercise, and many of them play longer when they were puppies. Whether you enjoy taking them for a long walk or a long run, all-in can help to recharge his muscles. It also supports his health in other important ways. These are the things that owner should take note of when looking for supplements for medium-sized dog
- A list of nutrients that is listed down by your veterinarian
- Contains prebiotics for healthy digestive function
- Helps to maintain strong bones and joint mobility
- Knowing what nutrition(s) that your dog is lacking
- Knowing what type of nutrients that your dog (breed) can't consume/ much
- Supplements that helps to support performance, stamina and endurance
Supplement for senior dogs
Senior dogs eventually start to slow down a little bit. They will still enjoy a walk at the dog park, but you will realize and notice that they will be getting more tired and stiff afterwards. These are the important ingredients that pet owners should take note of when looking for supplements for senior dogs
- Contains prebiotics for healthy digestive function
- Enhances the body's normal repair of connective tissues and joints
- Helps to keep them calm and relaxed
- Promotes a healthy immune system
- Provides bone and joint reinforcing factors
- Support cellular health
Dog food for medium-sized dogs and senior dogs
Before going to a pet shop assuming that a particular dog food is suitable for your dog, why not consider tagging your dog along to the vet and ask for recommendations by a veterinarian as they might know the necessary nutrients and supplements that need to be added into the dog food to give it a boost. Here is a chart that shows the number of responses (from owners) that each factor is most important when choosing a senior dog food.
Owners have to understand that there is no such thing called "The Best" dog food but only dog food that is the best for your dog's condition.
[blockquote font="3" cite="Shmalberg" italic="yes"]Many 'adult' or 'all life stages' foods may be as or even more beneficial than diets marketed for seniors[/blockquote]For medium-sized dogs, the brands of dog food which participants recommend are
- American Journey
- Avo Derm
- Blue Buffalo
- Diamond Natural
- Royal Canin
- Victor Purpose
- Taste of the Wild
- Wellness Care
1) Brain and Eye disease or Poor eyesight
American Journey Grain, Taste of the Wild and Wellness Care are brands known for development of brains and eyes of dogs. If your pup is facing any brain, eye disease or poor eyesight, these dog food brands will be able to save your buddy.
Price : $35.99-$67.99
2) Weight Loss
AvoDerm, Blue Buffalo and Victor Purpose are pet food brands meant for weight loss which are recommended fir medium-sized dogs. If you realize that your dog's weight is affecting its health, you may consider these brand suggestions.
Price: $39.67-$54.99
3) Weight Gain and Muscle
Brands like Purina Pro Plan, Blue Buffalo and Merrick will help your dog to have stronger muscles especially for dogs like American Staffordshire Terrier, Doberman, Kangal and Rottweiler etc who usually have stronger bones and muscles comparing with other dogs. Therefore, this particular dog food suits them. If you think that your pups bones or muscles are weak, these brands will definitely help your buddy.
Price: $31.47-$60
4) Sensitive Stomach
If your dog has a sensitive stomach, brands like Diamond Care, Hill's Science Diet, Nulo Freestyle is the right choice for you. Medium-sized dog usually has a sensitive stomach, due to their body's immune system.
Price: $54.99-$72.19
5) For Shedding
Brands like Instinct, Orijen and Nature are natural dog food brands to prevent dog from shedding. Orijen Six Fish dog food consists of 6 different types of Salmon, Herring and Flounder which provides lean and healthy protein source for dogs to protect their healthy skin and coats.
Price: $36.84-$93.47
How much does a medium-sized dog and senior dog should eat
Unsure of how much does your dog need to eat per meal? The pictures below can guide you.
After reading this article, we hope that it helps our readers on what type of food should your medium-sized dog and senior dogs eat. Here's another blog that guides you on types of food that make your pups happier and healthier.
