5 Things Canadian Pet Owners Can Do Today to Extend Their Pet's Healthspan

Šapice Pet Wellness
2026-04-10T15:26:44-04:00

Lifespan is how long your pet lives. Healthspan is how well they live — the years spent active, pain-free, mentally sharp, and genuinely thriving. For most pets, the gap between the two is where the real opportunity lies.

The good news is that healthspan is largely within your control. Unlike lifespan, which is shaped by genetics and luck, healthspan responds directly to the choices you make every day. Here are five evidence-based things you can start doing right now.

1. Support Joint Health Before Problems Appear

Joint disease is one of the most common and underdiagnosed conditions in Canadian dogs and cats. By the time a pet shows obvious signs of stiffness or reluctance to move, significant cartilage damage has often already occurred. The window for prevention is earlier than most owners realize.

Green lipped mussel is one of the most well-researched joint supplements available — it contains a unique combination of omega-3 fatty acids, glucosamine, chondroitin, and antioxidants that work together to reduce inflammation and support cartilage integrity. Starting supplementation in middle age, before symptoms appear, is far more effective than waiting.

KRWN Green Lipped Mussel Powder is sustainably sourced and easy to mix into food. Our full guide to green lipped mussel for dogs and cats covers dosing and what to expect.

2. Prioritize Omega-3s for Brain, Heart, and Coat

Omega-3 fatty acids — specifically EPA and DHA — are involved in virtually every system that determines healthspan: cardiovascular function, cognitive health, immune regulation, skin integrity, and inflammation control. Most commercial pet foods are significantly deficient in omega-3s relative to omega-6s, which creates a chronic low-grade inflammatory state that accelerates aging.

Daily omega-3 supplementation is one of the highest-impact, lowest-effort changes you can make for a pet of any age — but it matters most for middle-aged and senior animals.

KRWN Atlantic Salmon Oil is cold-pressed and wild-caught, with a clean fatty acid profile suited to both dogs and cats. See our omega-3 comparison guide for more on sourcing and dosing.

3. Take Dental Health Seriously

Dental disease is the most common health condition in Canadian pets — affecting an estimated 80% of dogs and 70% of cats over the age of three. It's also one of the most consequential for healthspan: chronic oral infection creates a systemic inflammatory burden that has been linked to heart disease, kidney disease, and accelerated cognitive decline.

Daily tooth brushing is the gold standard. It takes two minutes and makes a measurable difference over a pet's lifetime. A Bamboo Dog Toothbrush paired with Black Sheep Organics Toothpaste is a simple, natural starting point. Our guide to dental health for dogs and cats covers the full routine.

4. Manage Stress — It Ages Pets Faster Than You Think

Chronic stress is one of the most overlooked drivers of accelerated aging in pets. Elevated cortisol suppresses the immune system, disrupts gut health, impairs sleep quality, and promotes systemic inflammation — all of which shorten healthspan. In dogs, chronic anxiety is also strongly associated with behavioural decline and reduced quality of life in later years.

Identifying and reducing stress triggers is the first step. Enrichment, routine, and adequate exercise all help. For dogs that remain anxious despite good environmental management, the Duck Calming Aid offers natural support without sedation — a functional treat that takes the edge off without dulling your dog's personality. Read more in our post on duck calming aid for dogs.

5. Feed the Gut — It Controls More Than You Think

The gut microbiome influences immune function, mood, inflammation, nutrient absorption, and even cognitive health. A diverse, well-nourished microbiome is one of the strongest predictors of healthy aging in both humans and animals. A depleted one accelerates nearly every age-related condition.

Practical steps include rotating protein sources to support microbial diversity, adding natural probiotic foods like green tripe, and avoiding unnecessary antibiotics and processed treats that disrupt the microbiome. Our gut health guide covers the full picture.

The Compounding Effect

None of these changes is dramatic on its own. But done consistently over months and years, they compound. A pet that enters their senior years with healthy joints, a strong cardiovascular system, clean teeth, a calm nervous system, and a thriving gut microbiome will have a fundamentally different experience of aging than one that doesn't.

Healthspan isn't about adding years to your pet's life. It's about adding life to their years — and that starts today.