subject: Taking A Look At The Golden Retriever Breed And Their Lifespan [print this page] When you choose a family pet, you are choosing it to be part of the family for a long time. You picture your puppy growing into old age with your children and with yourself. The loss of a pet can be traumatic and knowing how to take care of a Golden Retriever breed and his health can potentially increase your pet's life span.
The average life span of a Golden Retriever is ten to thirteen years, but each dog is different. Depending on how long the dog's parents and grandparents lived plays a factor. Some health problems that affect this breed are eye problems, epilepsy, hip dysplasia, and osteosarcoma, which is bone cancer. Although you may not be able to prevent diseases in your pet, there are some things you can help to prolong his life.
A healthy diet consisting of high quality dog food is a good start; organic is best if it is an option. Many dog foods have additives that can be harmful to a dog. Obesity is a risk that can occur with a lower grade food. And, that can lead to a risk of certain diseases, like obesity.
Table scraps should be a no-no for pets. The majority of human food is higher in fat than your dog can handle, and this can cause problems for your pet. The more fat he intakes, the higher the risk of pancreatitis, which can be life threatening. Before giving your pet any fresh vegetables and fruits, talk to your vet, some can be toxic such as grapes.
Dogs can be very inquisitive and are naturally curious. They will put anything in their mouth or eat anything they find. To protect your pet from accidentally poisoning himself, there are precautions that need to be taken. Keep all household products, medications, and chemicals out of his reach, in a safe place where he cannot get at them.
Dogs need exercise, just like humans do. It is necessary not only to keep them in shape but also helps to reduce their stress level when it is mentally challenging. Taking them for thirty minute walks twice daily and giving them time to play will keep them healthy and reduce the risk of obesity.
Taking care to visit the vet regularly for checkups is necessary in keeping an eye on his health. Checking for signs of illness will help you catch anything early and start treatment. Some of the signs to watch for are loss of fur, increased panting, excessive thirst, and personality changes. Any unusual change in your dog's daily habits or personality should be brought to the attention of your vet immediately.
A family pet is something that you want around for as long as possible, so ensuring that they lead a happy, stress free, and healthy life can help this. Regular checkups, exercise, and the right diet play important parts in his life span. The Golden Retriever breed may only have a lifespan average of about ten to thirteen years, but there are always exceptions to the rule, and with the proper care they can outlive the expectations happily.
