Joseph Roetheli, PhD
Highlights:
A dog’s life is naturally shorter than a human’s, but we want to do everything we can to make sure they live as long and healthfully as possible.
Being proactive about your dog’s health means more than just taking them for walks and getting regular check-ups. It also means focusing on other aspects of their health, like their teeth and gums.
Using dental treats like Yummy CombsⓇ is an effective and nutritious way to support your dog’s longevity and encourage bonding.
If a dog’s life was measured by tail wags and belly rubs, they’d all live to be hundreds of years old. Unfortunately, a dog’s life span is much shorter, with most breeds living between 10 and 14 years. Making sure your dog’s quality of life remains comfortable and enjoyable as they age can help them stay younger and live longer.
The team at Yummy Combs are dog lovers at heart. Our passion for preventative care infuses everything we do, and you’ll find our dental treats target numerous aspects of your dog’s overall health and wellness.
Together, we’ll explore ways to improve your dog’s longevity and healthspan so you can enjoy as much time together as possible.
It’s a hard concept, but our dogs don’t need as many calories as we do. Small breeds, in particular, require very few calories — some only need ¼ cup of kibble twice per day.
Dogs, like humans, will overeat if they enjoy their food or are bored. For this reason, it’s important to properly measure dog food so that your dog gets adequate calories without overeating.
Maintaining a healthy weight is one way to improve your dog’s quality of life and help them live longer. Obesity is a rising issue among dogs. In 2022, 59% of dogs in the United States were overweight.
Dogs process calories and food differently. Giving your dog one ounce of cheese, for instance, is the caloric equivalent of a human eating 1.5 hamburgers or three bars of chocolate. Obesity in your pet leads to a shorter lifespan and a lower quality of life.
We want to make sure our furry friends get enough calories, but we also want to make sure the calories we give them are nutrient-dense. Feeding your dog a high-quality diet is the best solution for ensuring they get the nutrients they need.
Most pet food brands have recommended serving sizes based on weight on their products, but for obese dogs or underweight dogs, ask a veterinarian about how to adjust the dog’s diet.
A dog’s work is playtime. Walking, fetching, and playing with their owners provide the physical activity to help them maintain a healthy weight. It also provides mental stimulation and helps reduce unwanted behaviors like chewing, scratching, and constant barking.
All breeds need daily exercise, but it’s a good idea to check with your pet’s veterinarian to determine how much daily exercise is needed. Some breeds cannot tolerate heat, and older dogs may not be able to comfortably ambulate. Exercising can help extend your dog’s life expectancy and help you bond with your pet.
If you aren’t sure how much exercise your dog needs, check with their veterinarian. Most breeds (even small dog breeds) need at least two walks per day if they are healthy and can walk comfortably.
Most experts in the field of veterinary medicine agree that spaying or neutering your dog will extend their lifespan. Studies show that spaying and neutering reduces the risk of your dog developing certain types of cancer and plays a role in their bone and joint health.
Additionally, spaying and neutering are known to help prevent behavioral issues with your dog as they age. Your dog’s veterinarian is the best person to explain when your dog should be spayed or neutered. Generally, females are spayed prior to their first heat cycle, and males between the ages of six to nine months.
Just like us, second-hand smoke can have negative health impacts on our dogs. Second-hand smoke increases a dog’s risk of certain cancers and can even cause them to develop respiratory infections and diseases. If you smoke, make sure you smoke outdoors, away from your dog, and avoid taking your dog places where they could be exposed to second-hand smoke.
Vet visits are important for keeping your dog healthy and screening for health issues. Just like you, your dog needs a yearly exam and bloodwork to rule out any health problems that need attention.
Your dog’s annual vet visit is also when they’ll get any vaccinations they need, which are incredibly important, especially if your dog regularly visits dog parks or plays with other dogs. During an annual check-up, your dog will also be screened for dental disease. Periodontal disease in dogs is very common, often overlooked, and directly linked to systemic illness.
Our dogs can’t brush their own teeth, nor are they at all concerned with oral hygiene. Unfortunately, many pet owners aren’t concerned with dental health, either. Eighty percent of dogs over age three have some degree of gum disease, but only 20 percent of dog owners know about it.
Poor dental health can lead to heart disease, immune system issues, and compromised kidney and liver health. Simply having your dog’s teeth professionally cleaned once a year can help, but it isn’t the only way you can keep your dog’s teeth clean and improve their health span.
In addition to regular cleanings, your dog’s teeth should be brushed at home daily. You should begin brushing your dog’s teeth around six to eight weeks of age. The sooner you start, the better chance you’ll have of helping your dog tolerate tooth brushing.
Some helpful hints to make tooth brushing a success include:
After a few brushes and plenty of positive reinforcement, you’ll be able to brush your dog’s teeth with ease.
Regularly inspecting your dog’s gums can ensure they are healthy and not at risk of developing gum disease. Brushing your dog’s teeth and getting regular, professional cleanings is key to good gum health, but inspecting the gums for discoloration is also important. Gums that are bright red or pale can indicate deeper health issues.
It’s not quite possible to floss your dog’s teeth, but you can give them dental chews that have a flossing effect. Yummy Combs provide 360-degree flossing and scrubbing on all surfaces of your dog’s teeth to keep their teeth free from plaque build-up and keep their gums healthy.
If you want your dog to live a long and happy life, don’t forgo those dental cleanings. They can be costly, but they pay dividends in the life and wellness of your dog. Most breeds need one yearly cleaning, but some small breeds may need cleanings twice a year as they are more prone to developing gum and oral health issues.
In between cleanings and in addition to brushing, adding Yummy Combs to your dog’s diet has been shown to keep your dog’s breath neutral and even remove up to 25 percent of hardened tartar that can build on their teeth and lead to periodontal disease. Yummy Combs are safe, effective, and filled with longevity-supporting ingredients that help your dog thrive.
Keeping your dog’s teeth healthy is important to keeping their body healthy. Yummy Combs supports your dog by providing an easy and convenient way to scrub and floss your dog’s teeth while they chew on a safe and delicious treat.
In addition, Yummy Combs also combines 12 longevity-promoting ingredients to help your dog live a long, healthy life and improve their overall well-being. We all want our dogs to age healthfully and be around for even more tail wags and belly rubs.
Giving your dog Yummy Combs can help protect their oral health and give them a better shot at aging healthfully.
Sources:
Explore the expected life spans of different dog breeds | Science News.org
Pet Obesity Prevention | Pet Obesity Prevention.org
Neutering Dogs: Effects on Joint Disorders and Cancers in Golden Retrievers | PLOS ONE
Relation between periodontal disease and systemic diseases in dogs | ScienceDirect
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Always feed the right treat size for your dog’s weight category. Always supervise your dog when feeding treats. This product is an adult only dog treat. Always provide ample fresh water for your dog.
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