Dogs · today
How to help your dog live longer and better.
Three keys for your dog.
-
Nutrition
Nutrition is part of the exam, not an extra.
Ask for a nutrition assessment at the next veterinary visit.
Where: Ask at your clinic or veterinarian.
-
Weight
In 48 Labradors, 25% less food was associated with 1.8 more median years: not the same number in every breed; it does support not overfeeding.
Ask for your dog’s body condition score, not just the weight. That is what tells you how to care for them.
How to score it at home (video)
paper Kealy et al., JAVMA 2002 · guide · AAHA canine life stage
Where: Ask at your clinic or veterinarian.
-
Teeth
By three years, most dogs already have some periodontal disease.
Brush today and ask for a yearly oral exam (professional cleaning under anesthesia).
guide AVMA · AAHA dental 2019
Where: Ask at your clinic or veterinarian.
More detail: nutrition, weight, teeth, movement.
Your dog needs to move every day. The sofa does not count. How much: depends on your dog, not one number for all. A bulldog cannot take a long run; a pointer is shortchanged by the same loop. Ask for the plan for your dog. guide · AAHA checklist