13 ways to help your pet live longer

Chubby isn’t cute if it means an early death. An overweight fur baby is prone to a host of joint, digestive, respiratory and urinary problems that can trim up to 2.5 years off its lifespan.

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One way to help your pet shed kilos: cut back on treats. “A client of mine would give her dog Milk Bones every time she took him for walks,” says veterinarian Dr Maggie Brown-Bury. “Turns out the treats alone were equivalent to a full day’s [kilojoules].”

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Indoor cats live up to twice as long. Cats who are allowed outside are vulnerable to cars, wildlife and other cats, who can carry diseases like feline leukaemia, which is transmitted through bodily fluids.

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Give indoor cats outlets for their natural behaviours. “A puzzle feeder toy can stimulate their hunting instincts, and an elevated perch by a window can entertain them for hours,” says Brown-Bury. “An enriching home environment definitely improves quality of life.”

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An American veterinary study found that fixed female dogs lived 26 per cent longer, while the difference for males was 14 per cent. Spaying can also prevent several types of reproductive cancers.

Cancer is the leading cause of death in dogs – almost half of all dogs over the age of 10 develop cancerous tumours. More treatment options (like stereotactic radiosurgery) are available than ever before, if you’ve got the budget – as much as $10,000 in some cases.

Pursuing extensive treatments to prolong your pet’s life isn’t always best. “Make a list of your pet’s favourite things to do,” says veterinary oncologist Dr Sam Hocker. “If they’re no longer doing any of them, it’s a sign that their quality of life has been compromised.”

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Limit your pet’s exposure to toxins like pesticides and second-hand smoke. Pets can get skin cancer, too, especially around the ears, nose and belly.

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One of the sneakiest pet killers is kidney disease. Look out for symptoms like excessive thirst and urination.

Many cats who eat dry food don’t get enough fluids. Try moisture-rich canned food at least part of the time to help prevent the chronic dehydration that often leads to kidney problems.