What Is The Life Expectancy Of A Dog? Find Out Different Factors That Determine This

Dogs have criminally short lifespans, and it can be disheartening to think about the fact that you are likely to outlive them. If you’ve begun noticing signs of aging in your dog, you might wonder what their life expectancy may be.

There are many different factors that determine how long a dog will live. Factors that affect life expectancy are:

• Neutering and spaying
• Exercise
• Regular veterinary care
• Size
• Breed

On average, a dog will live for between 10 and 13 years, with some breeds experiencing closer to 6 to 8 years and some living 15 to 20 years. A 1996 study indicates that the overall average life expectancy of 9.248 dogs was 10 years old, with tumors and severe illnesses being the leading cause of death.

Well-bred dogs are likely to live longer, but large breeds of dogs typically have the shortest life spans. Smaller dogs are likely to live much longer than big dogs, sometimes up to twice as long. In addition, spaying or neutering a dog can increase their lifespan by 20%. Other things you can do to ensure a long life are:

• Make sure your dog gets enough exercise
• Feed your dog healthy and nutritious treats and meals
• Make sure you have a good vet and don’t miss annual checkups

Feature Image Source: Pixabay