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As of late 2019, there were nearly 5 million Pitbulls in the United States! So they are a hugely popular breed of dog. However, if you are looking to get a pitbull of your own, there are a few things that you need to know. One of the most important things to know is just how long a pitbull can live for. In this article, we look to answer that question and examine a few ways that you can take the best care of your pitbull.
Common Causes of Death Among Pitbulls
Every breed of dog has a certain set of illnesses thatthey are most prone to. With pitbulls, you ma notice a range of different heart-related difficulties. Some of these difficulties include irregular heart rhythm, heart valve malformations, and aortic stenosis.
Skin issues are also very prevalent in Pitbulls. They can range from easily managed conditions such as allergies to terminal diseases like mast cell tumors or melanoma. Any kind of cancer originating from the skin can be difficult to cure and often marks the end of life for a Pitbull.
As random as it may seem, car accidents are also very prominent causes of death among pitbulls. With over 1 million dogs being hit by cars each year in the US, road related deaths are still a concern.
Living long and Prospering: Caring for your Pitbull
When caring for your pitbull, it is important to know that they can get cold very quickly, so providing a warm and dry spot for them to sleep will be very beneficial in the long run. Their coats are thin and do not provide much protection against any type of cold condition.
Keeping your Pitbull at a healthy weight will go a long way towards making him live a long life. Nearly half of all adult pet dogs in the US are overweight or obese. Feeding your dog too much food is not a sign of love! You should be feeding your dog good quality food from the pet store, just be sure to stick to the food manufacturer’s recommendations when feeding your pitbull because overfeeding can lead to obesity, which leads to a host of other issues!
If you keep your Pitbull above his ideal weight he is more likely to suffer from weight-related health problems such as joint pain in his senior years, diabetes or high blood pressure. These again will make existing heart issues worse … a cycle that is best broken by slimming down your Pittie!
Allowing your pitbull regular exercise will help prolong his life span quite a lot. Just like a human, a pitbull loves a good walk because it helps him to maintain a healthy heart! Daily walks and the odd game of fetch or runaround will be just enough to keep your pitbull happy and healthy!
Lifespan
Ultimately, a pitbull will live for anywhere between 10-15 years. A lot of this can depend on genetics, which unfortunately is out of your control, however, there is a range of factors that you can influence, and by helping your pitbull maintain a balanced diet, exercise regularly, and allowing them to sleep and relax in a warm, comfortable, and dry place, you can ensure that your beloved pittie has the longest life possible!
The 4 Life Stages of a Pitbull
The first stage of a pitbulls life cycle is the puppy stage. This is a common stage for all dogs. Pitbull puppies are energetic and can easily overexercise themselves just based on their energy thresholds. Pitbull puppies can be separated into three sub-stages: newborn, infant, and toddler. Believe it or not, a newborn pitbull is actually blind and deaf, so it relies heavily on its mother.
The second stage is the young adult stage. Dogs are generally considered adults once they reach 18 months of age, but the mental and emotional maturity can come earlier or later depending on the breed and individual dog. You’ll want to continue with training and socialization during this time to ensure the smoothest possible transition to adulthood.
Any dog will look to push its boundaries during this time of its life, just like a human would. So make sure that when you are training, you are consistent. Any behaviour that you let slide at this stage will be hard to correct or change later on.
The third stage is the mature adult stage. Pitbulls will reach this stage after around 3 years. They will not be as excitable as they normally were in their youth, but will still enjoy exercise and playtime.
The senior stage is the fourth and final stage of a pitbulls life cycle. Senior Pitbulls are usually eight to nine years old. You’ll probably notice a decrease in activity as their body ages. They may sleep and laze around more often than they did when they were young. The last thing you need however, is a last dog, so make sure to keep them somewhat active, even if you have to shorten the playtime and the walks a little.