Not only is Bobi the world’s oldest dog, he’s also the oldest dog to have ever lived according to the Guinness World Records.
Bobi is the world’s oldest dog according to Guinness World Records, at 30 years and 276 days of age. Credit: Guinness World Records.
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The Rafeiro do Alentejo was born on his family’s farm in Coqueiros, Portugal on the 11th of May, 1992, making him almost 30 years old!
The 29-year-old was born on his family’s farm in Coqueiros, Portugal. And on his family’s farm is where the world’s oldest living dog has spent most of his 30 years on Earth.
Bobi with one of his feline friends, Ceguinho in 2022. Credit: Guinness World Records.
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How Can I Help My Dog Live A Long And Happy Life Too?
Erik Olstad, an assistant professor at the University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, says it’s really unusual for a dog to live to almost three decades.
“Owners will often ask me how to make their dog live the longest life they can. But that’s a really loaded question as there are lots of factors that go into life expectancy.”
“A lot has to do with genetics. Life expectancy and predisposition for diseases vary from breed to breed,” Professor Olstad said.
“However, there are still a lot of things an owner can do to give their pets the opportunity to live a long and happy life.”
Natasha Olby, a veterinary professor at North Carolina State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, says that dogs are very much like people when it comes to living a long life.
Providing your dog with a healthy diet is important for them to live a long and happy life.
“Dogs need healthy diets, a good amount of exercise, frequent engagement, and regular health care for them to live a long life.”
“Most importantly, pay close attention to their weight. Maintaining a healthy weight is crucial to living longer,” Professor Olby said.
“Make sure to give them quality dog food and avoid overfeeding. As your dog gets older, the extra weight makes it much harder to treat mobility issues such as arthritis or ruptured ligaments.”
Professor Olstad added, “if I see dogs entering their senior year overweight, I am very confident that we are going to have some serious mobility conversations in the future.”
Make sure you give your pets plenty of exercise to ensure they live a longer and healthier life.
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Tips For Helping Your Dog Live Longer
Be proactive, not reactive, when it comes to your dog’s health. Preventative care can help find ailments in your dog sooner, and it can stop minor ailments turning into major problems.
Make sure to keep their vaccinations up to date. Take your dog to the dentists at least once a year. And make sure you visit your vet once or twice a year for a regular checkup.
Physical and mental exercises can also help your dog live longer. Taking your dog out on frequent walks and runs to stretch out their legs can give them a better and longer life.
But make sure that the intensity of exercise is suitable for your dog’s age and breed type.
Regular check-ups can help catch any potential issues earlier on, leading to earlier treatments to ensure that the problem doesn’t get worse.
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For example, going for a 5 mile run with a 2-year-old border collie will be a piece of cake for them. But the same cannot be said for a senior pitbull with arthritis. For older dogs with mobility issues, you are probably better off walking your dog for 15 minutes, four times a day.
To give your dog a mental workout, hiding food and treats inside interactive toys such as the Kong Wobbler or food maze will do.
Are They Just Getting Older Or Is There Something Wrong?
Nicole Ehrhart, director for Colorado State University’s Columbine Health Systems Center for Healthy Aging, says that you shouldn’t think that certain behaviours or conditions are just issues that come with old age.
“If your dog starts to slow down, you shouldn’t assume that it’s because your dog is getting old,” Ehrhart said. “A dog slowing down should be a warning for pet owners to seek veterinarian assessment for your dog.”
How Can My Dog Live As Long As Bobi?
While we all want our dog to live a long life like Bobi’s, experts say that we should be focusing on giving our pets the best quality of life possible instead.
“A vet’s job is not to get your dog to live as long as possible if it means their quality of life suffers,” Olstad said. “Their happiness is more important than their longevity.”
“So try not to focus on their life expectancy too much. Instead, look at your dog as a unique individual.
