Pitbull Lifespan

The Pitbull Lifespan. The more you know, the better. We all really love our dogs and it can be sad to watch them grow old. It’s sad that they don’t get to live as long as us because they can be as close as family members to some of us. So today we’re going to be talking about this sad topic. That way you can enjoy every moment with them and know where they are and how long you have left so you can make the best out of it.

How Long Do Pitbulls Live?

Pitbulls (sometimes written as Pit Bulls) are not just one specific breed but refer to a selection of breeds which include the American Bulldog, the American Pit Bull Terrier, the English Bull Terrier, the Boxer, and the American Staffordshire Terrier. Being generally medium-sized breeds, they have longer lifespans than their large and giant breed counterparts. Their life expectancy is between 10 and 14 years and they have an average of 12 years.

The longest living Pitbull recorded so far lived for 26 years. He lived in Louisiana in the United States of America and his name was Max. That’s a really long time even for dogs with long lifespans. I know you’d love for your little furry friend to live that long and even longer but I’m sorry, that’s not usually the case. There have been reports of Pitbulls that lived up to or over 20 years but these are unverified and even the unverified claims are very rare.

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The Pitbull Lifespan/Life Cycle

The Newborn: When they’re given birth to, like other animals they’re very fragile and delicate and should be handled with extreme care because at this stage they’re vulnerable to a lot of things. Don’t expect any more than what babies do which can be summed up as eating, sleeping pooping, and peeing.

The Infant: In the first few weeks of their life, between the second and fourth week, they will open their eyes, start hearing and gradually start walking. It’s not unusual to find them staring. Everything is new to them and they’re taking in all the beautiful new sights and sounds and smells. By the end of the fourth week, you can start introducing them to everyone (both the people and animals) and this early socialization is very important and should be a continuous process.

The Toddler: This is when they’ll start moving around more and trying to find their way. They are so adorable at this stage slipping on tile floors, falling into food bowls, or being confused by reactions like sneezing or hiccups. You should also pay more attention to them at this stage because they don’t know the things that will hurt them and curiosity will take them everywhere.

The Adolescent: Dogs are generally considered adults when they reach 18 months. Physical growth varies between breeds but this is just a generally accepted figure. Your pitbull won’t be a fully mature adult till they’re about 3 years. The adolescent phase starts at about 6 months before adulthood. They’ll be more adventurous and they’ll act more independently. Training should also continue as usual, as well as socialization. You should also try to take them out more to see and experience new things.

The Teenage Adolescent: Just before they get to the age of 3, they’ll look mature and fully grown but behavioral changes won’t come just yet. They might start acting out and behaving stubbornly but just give them more treats and praise when they behave well to reinforce the good behavior. You should also increase their exercises and activities to match up with their higher energy levels.

The Adult: This lasts the longest and starts at about 3 years. At this point, their personality will have been well established. They will have likes and dislikes and behaviors that are characteristic to them. They’ll also begin to slow down as time goes on and their levels of exercise should be gradually reduced as they age. They still need regular exercise but won’t be as active as they were when they were younger.

The Senior: When they reach the ages of 8 or 9, they’ll be reaching the senior phase. They’ll be more careful and more precise with their movements. They’ll be slower and they’ll sleep more. Their exercises and walks should be reduced because you really don’t want them to be stressed at this point.

You should still make them get enough exercise though because at this age it’ll be easier to put on weight and obesity will be really bad and will definitely shorten their life. They will also need more care, more visits to the veterinarian, a specialized diet to suit their bodies and extra medication and supplements. Your veterinarian will give you advice on all you need to do and they’ll answer any questions you have.

What Factors Affect a Pitbulls Life Expectancy?

Nutrition: The way they eat greatly affects the length of their lives. Deficiencies in their diet are the cause of a lot of diseases and feeding them harmful substances can also lead to health problems. There are also very serious diseases linked to poor nutrition or diets like diabetes and obesity and these open them up to a host of other diseases. You should discuss with your veterinarian what foods will benefit them the most and how you should feed them.

Exercise: If they don’t get enough exercise, they’ll end up being overweight and this can lead to multiple health issues and it will have negative effects on their long-term health. But something most people don’t realize is that being underweight can also have a lot of negative effects too. You should give them enough exercise but not too much, they should be around the ideal weight for their breed and genetic makeup and your veterinarian will be in the best position to give you more advice on this for your specific dog.

Indoor vs Outdoor Dogs: Usually, dogs that spend a lot more time roaming the neighborhood and moving around freely are more likely to get into accidents or contract strange diseases because they can be very curious and will try to see what everything does and even end up tasting or eating a lot of things they aren’t supposed to.

However, they tend to get more exercise and so if you feel you should constrain your dog to your house and yard alone, make sure you spend time playing with them and giving them all the exercise they need so they don’t become overweight. I’d recommend you keep them indoors because of the risks involved for outdoor dogs like fights with other dogs, accidents and diseases that can come from an uncontrolled environment.

Veterinary Care: Because of advancements in modern medicine, dogs who have owners that care for them, monitor their health, and make sure they get treated early live much longer. There are also vaccines that can prevent a host of diseases that would’ve been fatal and with regular checkups and care any diseases can be found early and treated and your dog can live a happier and healthier life.

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How Can I Extend My Pitbulls Life?

If you take good care of them, they’ll live as long as Pitbulls are expected to and they might even live a little longer. You can take actions like keeping them indoors, making sure they get sufficient exercise, feeding them quality food, and making sure they have balanced diets, and whatever you do, don’t delay any medical checkups or procedures. That way any diseases can be diagnosed and treatment can begin before it gets worse.

How Long Do Pitbull Mixes Live?

Depending on the breed and health of the dog they’re mixed with, they will live anywhere from 8 to 16 years and may even live a little longer. Mixes with smaller and healthier breeds will have longer lifespans and those with larger breeds or those prone to sickness will have shorter lifespans.

conclusion

If you take proper care of them, they’ll live long and healthy lives. You should take them for regular checkups, give them enough exercise, spend time with them and if you notice any signs or symptoms of any illness you should take them to the veterinarian. They won’t live forever, or as long as you but you can make the short time you have to spend with them beautifully and memorable for you and them.

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