Ways to increase life expectancy

Mobility issues such as hip dysplasia, arthritis and back problems are some of the biggest factors affecting the lifespan of a German Shepherd. While mobility issues don’t kill dogs outright, the reduced quality of life they can cause can lead owners to euthanize their pets to save them from suffering.

Other factors that may affect a German Shepherd’s lifespan include:

• swell – The stomach fills with air and twists on its axis, cutting off the blood supply to the intestines. About half of the cases are fatal.
• degenerative myelopathy – A degenerative spinal cord disease that has no cure and eventually leads to paralysis. It is more common among German Shepherds than other breeds.
• hip dysplasia – Painful condition in which the thighbone does not fit properly into the acetabulum. Often causes arthritis and reduced mobility.
• Angiosarcoma – An aggressive cancer that affects the cells that line blood vessels. Common in German Shepherds.
• epilepsy – Although treatable to a certain extent, seizures can ultimately be fatal.

Health issues that do not necessarily affect a German Shepherd’s longevity but may affect its quality of life include:

• allergy
• Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI)
• vision problems

All large dog breeds are prone to hip and joint problems, but because of the German Shepherd’s traditional sloping back, back, hip and other joint problems are more common in German Shepherds than in many other breeds.

While these problems cannot be prevented, there are steps you can take to help delay or reduce symptoms to help prolong your German Shepherd’s quality of life.

There’s no guarantee your German Shepherd will live a long and healthy life, but there are many ways to help you increase the likelihood of having a good time with your fur child.

When your German Shepherd is young, you should see your veterinarian at least once a year, and twice a year as you get older. Why?

Many health conditions are easier to treat if caught early, before your dog develops symptoms. Also, dogs tend to hide their distress, so your veterinarian may spot hip dysplasia before you see your German Shepherd limp.

More than half of pet dogs are overweight or obese, and dogs face many of the same obesity-related diseases as humans. Additionally, any unnecessary weight can add more stress to the already painful joints of dogs prone to hip dysplasia or arthritis.

How to tell if your German Shepherd is overweight? Their waistline should be adducted when viewed from the side or above while standing. You should also be able to feel (but not see) your German Shepherd’s ribs.

Ensuring your dog has a complete and balanced diet can be trickier than you think when reducing their food intake, so if your GSD is overweight, talk to your veterinarian about the best ways to help them lose weight safely .

Because German Shepherds are such a popular breed, many breeders simply want to make money by keeping dogs, not interested in improving the breed.

Dogs bred for looks or money alone are more likely to develop genetic problems like hip dysplasia or degenerative myelopathy than German shepherds bred for work and to be as healthy as possible.

Since GSDs from the United States may have a shorter life span than those from Germany, it is worth your time to find a reputable breeder who has added German dogs to their breeding program to help strengthen the breed and reduce the likelihood of genetic problems .

How can you make sure you avoid backyard breeders or puppy mill dogs? Here are some tips for finding a reputable German Shepherd breeder:

• You should be able to visit the puppy on site
• In addition to answering your questions, the breeder should also ask you a few questions to make sure you’re giving your German Shepherd a good home
• You won’t find their puppy in a pet store
• Breeder conducts health test on female dog
• If you can’t have a dog, they’ll bring it back

While most commercial dog foods are labeled “nutrient complete,” that doesn’t make them healthy. Many dog ​​foods include filler ingredients, such as corn or meat by-products, with little nutritional value. This makes cheap dog food the equivalent of human junk food.

Just as a healthy diet can help humans live longer, high-quality dog ​​food can help your German Shepherd lead a longer, healthier life.

How do you know if your dog food is of good quality? Here are some tips:

• It should not contain any corn, animal by-products or artificial colors, flavors or preservatives.
• Meat should be the first ingredient. For the first ingredient, real meat is better than meat meal, but meat meal can come in the back.
• Vitamins and minerals should come from real fruits and vegetables, not artificial sources.

All dogs need exercise to prevent obesity and stay in shape, but German Shepherds have high energy levels, and if they don’t get enough exercise, they can turn to destructive behaviors.

A bored German Shepherd can easily turn to eating things they shouldn’t eat when they shouldn’t be alone, if they swallow something that doesn’t go through the digestive tract it can kill them, so exercise can really have a direct effect on their life.

German Shepherds need at least an hour of exercise a day, and the more the better. They are trained to work all day, so a gentle 30-minute walk twice a day may not be enough to drain all of their energy.

Some exercise options to consider with your German Shepherd include:

• Running around in the dog park
• play in the backyard
• jogging with you on a belt
• run beside you while cycling
• hiking
• Doggy Daycare

You may not realize it, but poor dental health can affect your dog’s overall health. If you don’t care about your German Shepherd’s teeth, bacteria under the gum line can get into your dog’s bloodstream and affect their organs, including the heart.

Working all day, German Shepherds only love to have one job. If you have time to train them, your GSD may enjoy being a therapy dog, search and rescue dog, or sheepdog.

Don’t have time for them to work outside? Teach them to do things at home, like put away toys or check on the kids.

As you can see, there are many things you can do to help improve the longevity and quality of life of your German Shepherd. They still won’t live forever, but if you’re lucky, you can at least spend a dozen good years with them.