Vet warns owners could be shortening their pets’ lives

Every pet owner wants their cherished companion to live as long as possible. However, it’s an unfortunate reality that, despite owners’ best efforts, the moment will inevitably arrive when it’s time to bid farewell. Fortunately, there are numerous measures owners can take to ensure their pets enjoy long, happy, and healthy lives, from making sure they’re eating properly, to providing them with plenty of exercise.

One vet has identified a series of practices some owners are engaging in which could actually be reducing their cherished companions‘ lives. Amir Anwary has almost one million followers on TikTok, where he consistently shares valuable guidance for keeping our animal companions as content and healthy as possible, and recently highlighted three factors which he said “will decrease your pets‘ lifespan more than genetics”.

Stress and under-stimulation

“Number one is chronic stress and under-stimulation,” he said. “So, if your dogs are being left at home all day, they’re not provided with enough mental stimulation, they’re not provided with enough exercise, they’ll become bored, they’ll become anxious.”

“This will cause increased cortisol levels, which will cause immunosuppression, behavioural problems, gut issues. All things that will decrease the quantity and quality of their lives.”

Nutrition

Second, Amir said, is “poor quality nutrition”. “Now, I’m not saying you need to buy the most expensive dog food,” he said. “However, you need to use a food that has good quality protein, doesn’t use excess of carbohydrates, and a good omega-6 to omega-3 ratio.”

Omega-6 and omega-3 are both polyunsaturated fats. Research has indicated a diet high in omega-6 and deficient in omega-3 is prone to trigger inflammation. A relatively balanced proportion of both is thought to diminish inflammation, reports the Mirror.

He added: “If your dog is fed a poor quality diet consistently, this will lead to chronic inflammation, metabolic diseases, and poor muscle maintenance.”

Pain

“Third is ignoring pain,” Amir said. “And I see this so often with dogs suffering with arthritis.

“Owners will not do anything to treat the pain associated with arthritis. This will lead to muscle loss, depression, decreased movement, and increased rate of physical decline. Make sure that you are helping your dogs that are suffering with arthritis pain.”

Amir had previously outlined methods to alleviate anxiety in pets. He revealed one of the most significant errors owners commit is creating a lot of excitement when going out and arriving back home again.

He explained: “Stay calm when you leave home and when you return. When you leave home, you go and make it a big scene and when you return home you make it an even bigger scene. You are creating heightened emotions around you leaving home, which makes the separation anxiety worse because it’s so emotional.”

Instead, he advocates keeping things as understated as possible. This even encompasses disregarding your dog for approximately 10 minutes before departing and upon arriving home – something he concedes may seem “cruel”, but can assist in diminishing emotional build-up and anxiety. Amir also suggests ensuring your dog gets a good walk before being left unaccompanied.

For dogs that already experience difficulties with separation anxiety, he emphasises the significance of progressive training. Rather than abandoning them alone for extended periods immediately, he advocates developing their tolerance gradually. He said: “When you leave home, start with going away for five minutes and monitor their response.

“If they’re fine with it, go to 10 minutes and monitor their response. Stop leaving them alone for two hours at a time. Of course their separation anxiety is not going to get any better – you’re going to make it a lot worse.”