One Simple Thing Can Help Dogs Live A Lot Longer

<p> Florencia Varela </p>
<p> Florencia Varela </p>

Everyone knows that a healthy diet and regular exercise help humans and animals alike lead a happier and healthier life.

Giphy

Giphy

But there's one thing that we can do for our animal family members that can actually help them live longer.

Spaying or neutering your pets can prolong their life, studies have shown.

Giphy

Giphy

The difference is especially noticeable in dogs.

According to a 2013 report, neutered male dogs live 18 percent longer than their un-neutered counterparts.

Spayed female dogs live even longer - 23 percent longer than unspayed female dogs.

Obviously spaying or neutering your pet is a good thing to do since overpopulation leads to scores of unwanted animals being euthanized in shelters. In the U.S. alone, each year about 1.2 million unwanted dogs are put down.

But beyond that, spaying or neutering can be good for your individual animal, potentially alleviating future problems such as certain kinds of cancers that can shorten your pet's life.

And when there's so much love to go around, every single minute counts.

Giphy

Giphy