Maximizing the Short English Bulldog Life Expectancy

Unfortunately, the English Bulldog life expectancy only ranges from seven to nine years with eight being the average magic number. They are prone to many health concerns, some internally, others externally but a lot of issues can be completely prevented with proper diet and care, while others are completely treatable when signs and symptoms are promptly recognized before they have time to worsen.

If ever there was a breed to invest in canine health insurance with, this is it. English Bulldog life expectancy may not be as long as other breeds but constant vet checkups can help nip a problem in the bud before it gets out of control.

Feeding Tips

Diet plays a huge role in English Bulldog life expectancy. While many owners of other breeds typically feed their dog once a day, Bulldog owners generally space one large meal out into several smaller ones. When this is done, the dog is less at risk for gastric torsion.

To really maximize English Bulldog life expectancy, their diet should consist of a nice mixture of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals. The amino acids received from proteins help rebuild tissues while carbohydrates provide energy. Of course, just like in humans, vitamins and minerals provide a very long list of benefits as well.

Prevent Internal Parasites

Certain internal parasites, especially heartworm, can have quite an negative effect on English Bulldog life expectancy. Heartworm is the result of an infected mosquito injecting larva into the circulatory system. The larvae plants itself in the heart and then grows at an alarming pace. Cardiac failure and even death can be the result. While all dogs are susceptible to heartworm, it is extremely common in Bulldogs.

Hookworms, roundworms and tapeworms also pose a threat to English Bulldog life expectancy. Roundworms live in the intestines and can cause diarrhea, vomiting, dehydration and debility, especially in puppies. Tapeworms are common with this breed because they are carried by fleas which can fester in the loose skin folds of the breed when not examined frequently.

Senior Dog Care

To ensure your dog sees his longest English Bulldog life expectancy, you will need to be prepared to provide a lot of extra care and attention when he ages. He'll be slower moving but will still need to be talked into some daily exercise and you will need to make sure he drinks plenty of water. If your dog is eating only one meal a day, this is definitely the time to break that up into a couple of smaller feeding sessions to help him with digestion and reduce the risk of bloat. Always make sure that your dog is kept warm at night, drafts can worsen respiratory issues he may already be facing.

A condition you need to be aware of if you're concerned about English Bulldog life expectancy is that this breed is susceptible to a type of extreme vertigo. The dog is unable to stand and will simply lay sprawled out. It usually only lasts a few days during which time most owners assume that the dog has had a stroke but he hasn't. In fact, most Bulldogs who have this type of episode are perfectly fine within a week however, since they are unable to eat or drink during this time, they need to receive intravenous fluids and nutrition.

While the English Bulldog life expectancy may not be as long as other breeds, it is certainly a fulfilling one. These dogs make loyal and extremely loving companions. Make sure you are familiar with signs and symptoms of health concerns your dog may face before you bring one home.

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