The bond between dog and owner is as strong as any interspecies relationship.

With a combination of feeding and exercise, owners can extend their pet’s lifespan, say experts.

Find the right food

“Nutrition is the foundation of canine health. The best food should be based on your dog’s needs: age, weight, mental or physical problems, and, to a lesser degree, breed,” said Mark Poveromo, author of “To Your Dog’s Health: Canine Nutrition and Recent Trends Within the Pet Food Industry.”

Scrutinize food labels to find items high in omega-3 acids and proteins instead of grains or carbohydrates. These help ensure long-term health and ward off certain diseases.

Look for foods with labels listing specific proteins and not generic information.

Exercise together

Daily exercise is a vital part of any dog’s health prospects. But don’t simply send a dog into the backyard and wait for it to start running around.

Dogs require more interactive exercise regimens involving long walks and toys. Teaching a dog to retrieve can make this regimen even easier. These types of exercises help them learn to rest calmly while improving bone, joint, lung and heart health.

Become the dog chef

Nowhere does it say owners can only feed a dog the contents of a can.

Including certain basic and pure foods like chicken and vegetables can help fix many issues involving odor, weight and allergies.

High-quality, pure ingredients not mixed with other additives are easier to digest and less taxing to a dog’s system.

“And it’s critical to supplement your dog’s diet,” said Poveromo. “A multivitamin/mineral (liquid preferred) is a must.”

This story is provided by State Point Media.