How to Help Your Pet Live Longer
Your pet is one of the best friends you will ever have, but knowing they’ll leave your side someday can be very hard. That’s why it’s up to you to make sure your furry friend lives their longest life. From nutrition and exercise to vaccinations, there’s a lot you can do to keep your pet healthy. With a little prevention and a lot of love, you can make sure your dog or cat stays around for years to come.
Average Lifespan of Cats and Dogs
If you’ve ever been lucky enough to bring home a puppy or kitten, you know that they grow extremely fast in their first year. By age two, they’re well into adulthood! And because they age at different rates, you might wonder how long your pet will live, or how old they are in human years so you can understand how to care for them.
On average, dogs live 8-13 years, depending on their breed and size. On the other hand, indoor cats live for 15-20 years or longer.
The lifespan of your pet depends on their:
- Size
- Breed
- Lifestyle
- Nutrition
- Genetics
Although there’s nothing you can do about genetics, there are many lifestyle factors that you can control. Here’s what you can do to help your pet live longer.
Five Ways to Keep Your Pet Healthy
1. Spaying/Neutering
Spaying or neutering your pet has many benefits. For cats, especially males, neutering can significantly reduce the risk of accidental death. Because pets that are not fixed tend to stray from home, they could end up fighting with other animals or getting hit by a vehicle. But aside from reducing hormone-driven behaviors like roaming and aggression, spaying and neutering also prevent reproductive cancers in pets.
2. Maintaining a Healthy Weight
Just like us, dogs and cats need to maintain a healthy weight. Feeding your pet the right type and amount of food based on their breed and size is a good start, while daily activities like walks, hikes, or playing with toys can help them stay on track. Just make sure you don’t give too many treats or overfeed them.
3. Feeding a Healthy Diet
What your pet eats every day matters more than you might think. A balanced diet helps maintain a healthy weight, supports their immune system, and keeps their coat shiny. Choose an age-appropriate food and measure their meals because, over time, the extra calories from the heaping scoops your dog loves can really add up. And if your pet has special needs such as allergies or a sensitive stomach, your vet can help point you towards the best food for them.
4. Paying Attention to Dental Hygiene
One thing most pet parents forget about is dental hygiene. You really do need to brush your pet’s teeth! Keeping their teeth clean helps prevent painful dental diseases, tooth loss, infections, and even heart disease. Brushing at home combined with professional teeth cleanings at the vet will help keep your pet healthy as they age.
5. Mental Stimulation and Socialization
Socialization and mental stimulation both help improve your pet’s health. These activities keep your pet’s mind sharp while reducing stress and anxiety. Senior pets who get regular mental stimulation and socialization tend to show greater cognitive improvement, feel less lonely, and seem happier overall.
Your Pet’s Health Is Our Priority
Taking your pet to the vet for regular checkups will help us spot any issues while they’re small and manageable. Checkups also keep your dog or cat on track with their vaccination boosters and parasite prevention meds.
We’re all pet people at Anasazi Animal Clinic, and we want your fur babies to get the very best care. Whether you just adopted a new puppy or kitten, or your pet is reaching their senior years, we want to help them stay healthy and live longer.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment for veterinary care that lasts a lifetime.
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels used with permission under the creative commons license for commercial use 12/11/2025