You can help your dog live longer and stay healthier with these five simple rules –

Do not allow your dog to be fat

The pain of arthritis starts earlier and is more severe in overweight dogs. There are marvelous medications that can ease an arthritic dog’s pain, but your dogs stays fit he may never need them. If you do nothing else on this list but prevent your dog from being overweight, you may have helped him to a longer, happier, more active life.

Secure your dog in the car

A loose dog can be a distraction to a driver, and in an accident, the dog can become a projectile, injuring himself or others in the car, possibly seriously. A crate is your best bet for safe canine travel, but there are also harnesses to keep your best friend safe.

Think twice before you let your dog off leash

Very few dogs heel reliably off lead, and just as few – if not fewer – have a foolproof emergency recall. If you’re walking your dog along the road or letting him be off leash with you in your front yard, you are potentially one squirrel away from tragedy. Remember that regardless of how well you think you know your dog, he also has responses hardwired into him by nature.

Supervise your dog closely around young children

There are too many stories about dogs who have bitten or killed a child. Kids simply aren’t aware of a dog’s body language and boundaries. A curious child grabbing your dog’s tail or tugging on an ear can cause a bad reaction. It will all happen very fast, so unless you are completely comfortable that the child can be trusted it’s best not to expose your dog to a potentially dangerous situation.

Do not give “people meds” to your dog

Many other common over-the-counter medications are just not safe for your dog. How do you know the difference? Check with your veterinarian, even if you’ve used an over-the-counter med on your pet before – there may be drug interactions you’re not fully aware of. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.