‘Forever Dog’ Describes Means to Enhance Your Dog’s Life Javascript must be enabled to use this site. Please enable Javascript in your browser and try again. × Search search POPULAR SEARCHES SUGGESTED LINKS Join AARP for just $9 per year when you sign up for a 5-year term. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. Leaving AARP.org Website You are now leaving AARP.org and going to a website that is not operated by AARP. A different privacy policy and terms of service will apply. Close
A Veterinarian Shares Her Tips for Raising a Forever Dog
Karen Shaw Becker s new book explains how you can help your pup live a longer healthier life
HarperCollins/Rodney Habib . Our pets may be our best friends — but do we know how to make sure their lives are as long, healthy and happy as can be? Not always, says Karen Shaw Becker, a veterinarian in Scottsdale, Arizona. “Dogs are dying prematurely of more chronic disease than ever before,” she writes in her new book The Forever Dog: Surprising New Science to Help Your Canine Companion Live Younger, Healthier and Longer, coauthored with animal activist Rodney Habib. Becker, who also coauthored a popular cookbook, Dr. Becker’s Real Food for Healthy Dogs & Cats, is a proponent of a proactive approach to veterinary care — helping people create the kind of healthy lifestyles for their animals that can prevent disease, rather than simply treating problems as they arise. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. While practices like irresponsible breeding can lead to genetic problems we can’t avoid, Becker explains, our everyday choices as pet owners play a huge role in shaping our dog’s health and happiness. Her “biggest goal in life,” she says, “is for my clients to say to me [when their pets pass away], ‘Yes, my heart is broken, but I did the best I could.’ We want to be able to do everything we can, so we can look back on our time with our dogs without dealing with regret.” The Forever Dog provides a road map for people to do just that. It dives deep into the science of canine health, exploring the latest research and expert-backed advice when it comes to diet, exercise, stress and more. (Hint: W hat’s good for dogs — eating homemade rather than processed food, for instance — is often good for dogs’ people as well.) AARP asked Becker about the human –dog connection and the keys to canine longevity. We’re getting fresh air, we’re getting some sun, we’re interacting with people. And pretty amazing research shows that petting dogs helps reduce human cortisol levels. Just being around dogs can lower our heart rate and our blood pressure. So there are positive physical changes that occur when we look at dogs and when we pet dogs and when we play with dogs. It’s a mutually beneficial relationship. Flowers & Gifts 25% off sitewide and 30% off select items See more Flowers & Gifts offers > As with humans diet is an important part of dog health What s lacking in the conventional approach to canine nutrition and what are some ways people can improve their dog s diet
Every doctor on the planet has said we should reduce our intake of highly refined, ultra-processed foods and eat more fresh, real foods. Except veterinarians. Veterinarians remain the last group of health care professionals that still offer out-of-date information and say to only feed your dog ultra-processed food his whole life. Let’s say that right now you’re feeding kibble. You can switch to a less processed food category. If you’re feeding extruded food, you could move to a dehydrated food or a freeze-dried food. That’s going to provide better quality nutrients. If you decide that you’re not going to change food categories to a minimally processed food, then you can add in fresher foods. You can share bananas, blueberries, broccoli, asparagus and okra from your fridge, along with carrots, apples and celery. You can slice up one mini-carrot into six little training treats! Tiny slivers of fresh, whole, living foods are fantastic at helping to decrease the amount of processed treats you’re giving your dog. The only foods you can’t and shouldn’t share with your dog are onions, grapes, raisins , chocolate and macadamia nuts. AARP NEWSLETTERS %{ newsLetterPromoText }% %{ description }% Subscribe MORE FROM AARP AARP NEWSLETTERS %{ newsLetterPromoText }% %{ description }% Subscribe AARP VALUE & MEMBER BENEFITS See more Health & Wellness offers > See more Flights & Vacation Packages offers > See more Finances offers > See more Health & Wellness offers > SAVE MONEY WITH THESE LIMITED-TIME OFFERS