What if your dog could live 30–50% longer… and healthier?

Jul 14, 2025·By Alison Ruggio

Turns out, they might be dying younger than they’re meant to. In this blog post learn 3 actionable steps you can take today to have your dog live a longer, healthier life.

We love our dogs like family. But here’s something most pet parents never hear:

Many dogs are dying younger than their potential.
And it’s not just sad—it’s preventable.

Yep, you read that right. New research suggests that under the right conditions, our dogs could live 30–50% longer than they are right now. And not just longer—but better. With more healthy, active years before illness sets in.

So why aren’t they?

Let’s talk about it.

woman with his Golden Labradoodle dog reading at home

Lifespan vs. Health span: What's the Difference?

Veterinary researchers are shifting from simply asking “how long dogs live” to “how well they live.” This concept—called compression of morbidity—means:

Your dog stays healthy and active for most of their life
Illness comes later—and is short-lived
Decline is quick and less painful

Sounds like a dream, right?

Unfortunately, many dogs experience early decline—due to years of inflammation, chronic disease and organ failure that shorten their life and quality of life. But here’s the twist: much of this is preventable with the right environment and lifestyle.

Is Your Dog Dying Too Soon? What Science Says About Lifespan

Veterinarians like Dr. Karen Becker and longevity researcher Rodney Habib argue that our dogs aren't dying young because of bad genes—but because of modern lifestyles. Dr. Karen Becker is a proactive and integrative veterinarian who challenges conventional pet care standards. Rodney Habib is a pet wellness advocate, researcher, and documentary filmmaker best known for his work on canine longevity and exposing flaws in the pet food industry.

Overprocessed food, environmental toxins, chronic stress, and lack of mental enrichment are the real culprits cutting their lives short.

Studies back this up:

The takeaway? Genetics set the baseline, but it's lifestyle that drives the outcome. And the good news is—you can change it.

3 Ways to Support a Longer, Healthier Life for Your Dog

Ready to help your pup not just survive, but thrive? Here’s where to start:

1. Rethink the Food Bowl

Choosing the best dog food doesn’t need to be overwhelming. Skip the kibble marketing hype and feed your dog a whole food, balanced diet. This can be raw, dehydrated, or air-dried—as long as it’s made with real, nutrient-rich ingredients.

👉 Want to learn what ingredients to avoid? Check out our post: Identifying Harmful Ingredients in Dog Food

2. Ditch the Toxins

You can’t bubble-wrap your house—but you can drastically lower your dog’s toxic load with a few simple swaps:

🧼 Clean smarter: Switch to pet-safe cleaners and ditch harsh chemicals.
💧 Filter their water: Our tap water contains chlorine and heavy metals. Put a filter on your house sink and provide your dog with filtered water. There are inexpensive filters on the market that make a huge difference. TIP: We have even put a filter on our garden house for watering our vegetable garden
🥣 Upgrade the bowl: Swap plastic bowls for stainless steel, glass, or ceramic.
🌱 Ditch yard pesticides: Use vinegar-based, pet-safe weed killers.

3. Stress Management: Prioritize Their Mental + Physical Needs

Lonely dogs, under-stimulated dogs, or bored dogs? That creates chronic stress. And it takes a toll. Movement is medicine—but so is enrichment. Walks are a must, but also try:

Scent work or sniff walks
Puzzle toys or training games
Social time with trusted dogs or humans

Need Help Making the Switch?
I get it—it’s a lot. Sometimes the idea of change feels overwhelming.

That’s where Zannah with Well Beings Unleashed comes in. She works with pet parents to take bite-sized, budget-conscious steps toward a healthier lifestyle—from upgrading food to swapping out toxic household products.

This isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress.

Book a consult with Zannah today at [email protected] or WellBeingsUnleashed.com

✈️ And One More Thing…

And if you’re flying or traveling often, lifestyle disruptions can add up. That’s why I always focus on both the human and the dog in our training and travel prep at Paws on Planes.

Travel is about making memories—and your dog deserves to be part of that journey for as long as possible.

So, if you’re looking to fly with your dog (or future service dog), let’s not just get them flight-ready. Let’s get them life-ready.

👉 Book a consult today – CLICK HERE.

active senior woman walks with her labradoodle through the forest

Final Thoughts: Meet Their Needs Before They Meet Yours

If your dog is high energy, take them on a hike before expecting them to chill at a pet-friendly patio. If they thrive on social time, schedule a doggy daycare day each week.