Tips & Tricks to Add Years to Your Dog's Life 🐾💛

If you're reading this, chances are you love a dog—maybe even a senior Rottweiler like our girl Keira who's been the heart of this business since day one. And if you love a dog, you've probably lay awake at least once wondering: How can I keep them here just a little bit longer?

The good news? There's actually a lot you can do. While we can't stop time, we can influence how our dogs age. Small, consistent choices add up to more healthy, happy years by our sides.

Here are our favourite tips and tricks—some learned from veterinarians, some from experience, and some from Keira herself.

1. Keep Them Lean (Seriously, This Matters Most)

Studies show that dogs fed a carefully managed diet live an average of two years longer than their less-regulated counterparts. Two extra years of tail wags!

The trick: You should be able to feel your dog's ribs easily without pressing hard, and see a visible waist when looking from above.

Tip: Use a measuring cup for kibble, not just a scoop. Those "eyeball" portions add up over time.

2. Dental Health Is Longevity Health

This is the one people overlook most. Bacteria from gum disease doesn't just stay in the mouth—it travels to the heart, liver, and kidneys. Good teeth = a longer life.

The trick: If you can't brush daily (who can?), find what works. It could be enzymatic toothpaste on a finger brush every other day, plus dental chews with the VOHC seal of approval.

Tip: Look for the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) seal on treats and chews—it means they actually work.

3. Mental Stimulation Wards Off Aging

A bored dog ages faster. Cognitive decline isn't just a people problem—dogs get it too. Keeping their brain busy builds "cognitive reserve" that protects against dementia.

The trick: You don't need expensive toys. Scatter kibble in the grass for them to sniff out. Hide treats under cups. Teach an old dog a new trick (yes, they can learn!). Even 10 minutes of nose work tires their brain more than an hour of walking.

Tip: Puzzle toys, snuffle mats, and hide-and-seek games are gold.

4. Movement Matters—But So Does Rest

Regular, low-impact exercise keeps joints mobile and weight down. But here's the thing older dogs taught me: they also need permission to rest.

The trick: Watch your dog, not the clock. Keira still loves her walks, but now she chooses the pace—and sometimes chooses to turn around halfway. I follow her lead.

Tip: For seniors, consider adding joint supplements early. Glucosamine, chondroitin, and omega-3s can make a real difference. Ask your vet when to start.

5. Don't Skip Senior Wellness Checks

Once your dog hits 7 or 8 (sooner for giant breeds), annual vet visits should become twice-yearly. Blood work catches things early when they're treatable.

The trick: Keep a simple journal—note changes in appetite, thirst, mobility, or behaviour. You know your dog best. If something feels off, it probably is.

Tip: Bring a list of questions to every vet visit. You'll remember more than you think in the moment!

6. Love Languages Matter for Dogs Too

This one's from Keira directly. Dogs who feel safe, connected, and understood experience less stress. Lower stress means lower cortisol, which means less wear and tear on their bodies.

The trick: Learn what your dog finds comforting. Keira loves leaning against me on the couch. Other dogs prefer space and soft eye contact. Both are love—just expressed differently.

Tip: Quality time > quantity of time. Five minutes of focused attention (no phone!) means more to them than an hour of you being in the same room but distracted.

7. Safe Environment = Longer Life

Dog-proof your home like you would for a toddler. That means:

• Toxic foods (grapes, xylitol, onions) kept way out of reach

• Trash cans with secure lids

• No small objects they could swallow

• Securely fenced yard (especially important as vision and hearing decline)

The trick: Get down on your hands and knees and look at your home from dog level. What looks interesting? What could be dangerous?

The Bottom Line

Adding years to your dog's life isn't about one big thing—it's about a thousand small things, done consistently, with love.

It's the extra walk. The skipped table scrap. The dental routine you almost skip but don't. The vet visit that catches the early stage of something treatable.

And honestly? It's also about accepting that we can't control everything. We just get to love them well for as long as we have them.

Keira turns 10 this year. She's grey-faced, slow to rise, and still the boss of this whole operation. Every day with her feels like a gift I don't deserve but will never stop appreciating.

Here's to many more years with the dogs who make us who we are. 🐾💛

Have a tip that's added years to your dog's life? Shoot us a message or comment on social media—we'd love to learn from you! And if you're looking for unique, locally-made gifts to celebrate your faithful friend, browse our collections or message us about a custom pet portrait piece. A portion of every sale supports local dog rescues helping dogs in need find loving homes.

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