Loyal, fun, sensitive and always present. The dogs went from being considered “the pet” of the home to occupy a leading place in family life. Today, millions of people see them as part of their affective nucleus, and more and more who call them “four -legged children.” This cultural change, added to advances in animal health, has made something unthinkable decades ago: that The life expectancy of dogs has doubled in the last 40 years.
Currently, it is estimated that there are about 900 million dogs worldwide, many of whom coexist closely with their human tutors. In Argentina, the link with pets is especially strong: 80 % of the population lives with at least one pet, and 78 % of them are dogs, being among the countries that have the greatest proportion of pets in the region.
This new paradigm in the human-animal relationship is also reflected in a greater concern for their health. At the global level, expenses for veterinary products and services do not stop growing. In the United States, for example, more than 123,000 million dollars were invested in this area in recent years, and it is estimated that the figure exceeds 275,000 million by 2037, according to Morgan Stanley data.
In Argentina, especially in urban areas, there is also a high commitment to veterinary care. According to the latest annual household survey conducted by the Government of the City of Buenos Aires, more than 80% of dogs received at least veterinary attention in the last year, 87% was dewormed against fleas and ticks and 34.3% received between two and four annual treatments.
This trend, promoted by greater awareness about responsible tenure and advances in veterinary medicine, have contributed to dog life expectancy having doubled in the last 40 years.
How to better care for our dogs?
Within the framework of World Dog Day, Walter Comas, veterinarian and director of the MSD Animal Animal Animal Unitshare five essential recommendations to ensure a long, healthy and happy life:
- Make periodic veterinarium checks. At least once a year, clinical controls allow common diseases to be detected in time and accompany the development of the animal at each stage of its life.
- Comply with the vaccination calendar. Vaccines protect against serious and potentially fatal diseases for both animals and humans, so it is essential to keep them up to date.
- Maintain an external deworming routine. It is important to protect dogs from fleas, ticks and other external parasites throughout the year. There are prolonged action options that simplify this care and provide continuous protection of 12 weeks (3 months) and with fewer applications.
- Take care of your teeth. Daily brushing is the best care, and it is easier if you start from puppy. It is recommended to consult the trusted veterinarian to explain the procedure.
- Take care of your weight. This is not a minor issue, it is important to consult with the veterinarian on the most appropriate food for your four -legged partner at each stage of his life.
“Adding a dog to the family must be a conscious decision, since it implies a commitment to love and care that can extend between 12 and 17 years, depending on the size, race and attention that the animal receives. It is essential to guarantee that the dog has its health care per day and a healthy environment to live, because animal health, human health and that of the environment are deeply interconnected,” he says Walter Comas.
More than a pet, a family member
The way people are linked to pets are changing, and with it, the way of caring for them. It is no longer enough to affection: they also need attention, prevention and an environment that promotes their well -being. Celebrate the World Dog Day It is an opportunity to reflect on this deep bond and the role that each guardian assumes when choosing to share his life with a dog.
MSD Animal Healththe science of healthier animals, accompanies this cultural change promoting practices of responsible possession, prevention and comprehensive health. Because taking care of our dogs is also taking care of the link that unites us with them, and guaranteeing a long, happy and protected life.
Source: Ambito
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
