Proven Tips to Help Dogs Live Healthier and Longer
Purina Sponsors New Tool to Measure a Dog's Age in Human Years
ST. LOUIS, Mo. (Feb. 09, 2004) – Happy, healthy, longer lives for pets are now easy and attainable goals for dog owners with a new online resource, DogAge®. Created by RealAge and sponsored by Purina, DogAge is an easy way for dog owners to accurately determine their pets' age in human years. Pet owners can log onto www.dogage.com and take the DogAge test, which evaluates factors such as health, lifestyle, breed, body condition and exercise to quantify whether a dog is younger or older then the average dog of the same breed. After taking the test, the Web site provides free information, weekly tips and health guides to give dog owners practical ways to increase their pets' DogAge.
The Purina Pet Institute and DogAge provide the following tips for dog owners to help their pets live longer and more active lives:
General Health
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Brush teeth three times a week and have chew toys or biscuits for additional
teeth cleaning
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Spay or neuter to help improve a dog's disposition, prevent unwanted behaviors
and reduce the chance for infections, tumors and cancers
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Maintain a Home Health check-list and examine coat, ribs, eyes, ears and nose
regularly
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Groom regularly by brushing, bathing and clipping according to breed, size and
your dog's indoor or outdoor habits
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Post emergency numbers and keep and first-aid supplies on hand such as, gauze,
bandages, eyewash, tweezers, cold pack, thermometer, towel and gloves
Medical History
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Maintain regular veterinarian visits for routine health check-ups including
vaccinations and preventative care measures
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Learn about the breed of your dog for any specific diseases or body conditions
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Look for any change in behavior or eating habits that might signal a medical
problem
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Keep a log of vaccinations and medical problems
Food/Nutrition
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Monitor diet and caloric intake by measuring food and limiting treats
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Avoid human food – it can upset a dog's stomach and diet
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Talk to your veterinarian about nutritional requirements for age or breed
specific food
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Provide fresh, clean water daily
Exercise
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Exercise pets regularly, as approved by a veterinarian
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Be aware of the weather, monitor temperatures to determine the best time of day
to exercise your dog outside
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Select toys that are safe and stimulating for your pet, such as hard rubber
balls or raw hides
Social Health
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Stay in command – training a dog to respond to direction makes the pet and
owner relationship easier and safer
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Practice safety in the yard, on walks and trips by using barriers, leashes,
carriers and proper identification
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Give your dog a clean and comfortable sleeping area
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Socialize your dog around other pets and people to help him learn to adjust to
changes in his environment
For more information and pet health tips from the Purina Pet Institute, visit
www.purina.com.
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