Joseph Roetheli, PhD
Highlights:
Dogs age faster than humans, but the old adage of each dog year equalling seven human years isn’t quite accurate.
Breed, health conditions, and size play a role in how quickly a dog ages.
Taking care of your dog, including taking care of their teeth and gums, can help protect your dog’s healthspan.
Each year of your dog’s life is biologically longer than yours. That means your dog is eventually going to out-age you, even though they’re only a decade or younger.
It’s a sad thought to consider our dogs getting older than us in a shorter period, but thankfully, there are ways we can support their health and ensure that the years we have them are healthy ones.
Together, we’ll talk about how dogs age, how to calculate your dog’s age, and what you can do to support your dog’s health from puppyhood to the senior dog stage.
Dogs, like humans, age biologically and chronologically. Biological age refers to the age of your dog’s cells, the very foundational components that make up every tissue and organ in their body. Chronological age refers to the age of your dog because of their birthday.
When we talk about a dog’s age, we are referring to biological age because dogs simply age biologically faster than humans.
You’ve probably heard it said that each year of a dog’s life equals approximately seven years in human life. This isn’t entirely true, nor is it entirely false.
Your dog’s breed is the best indicator of their life expectancy and how they will age, but if you wanted to use a very broad tool to estimate your dog’s “human age” compared to their dog age, this rule of seven would apply.
Dogs develop quickly during their first two years of life. It’s estimated that the first year and second year of your dog’s life equals closer to 10.5 years of human life (per year).
After the first two years, dogs’ aging process levels off. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association’s dog age calculator, aging occurs at a rate of about four human years per dog year during years three and four of your dog’s life, and a rate of between four and five human years per dog year after that.
The best indicator of your dog’s lifespan and how quickly they will age is your dog’s breed. Small dogs and small breeds generally live longer than large dogs and large breeds. Extremely large breeds, like Great Danes and Bouviers, may only live to be six or seven years of age.
Smaller breeds like chihuahuas and toy poodles can live up to 15 to 17 years of age. Medium-sized dogs like labrador retrievers fall in the middle of these ranges, usually living between nine and 12 years of age.
Smaller breeds may live longer due to a reduced risk of cancer and a reduction in the amount of wear and tear on organs and body parts simply because of their size. In addition, larger breeds have a faster growth rate than smaller dogs. Genetically, larger dogs are more likely to have shorter lifespans than smaller breed dogs.
Genetically, there’s not much pet parents can do to change their dog’s average lifespan. However, there are steps they can take to make sure that their dogs don’t experience unnecessary health issues and have the highest chance of reaching their full life expectancy.
Longevity refers to your dog’s lifespan and their ability to stay healthy. We all want our pets to reach the “old dog” stage, but we want to see them reach this life stage with as much pep in their paws as they can possibly have. Taking care of your dog means more than just cuddles and kibble.
Here are some science-backed ways to support your dog’s well-being and give them the best possible chance of achieving a comfortable, healthy old age.
Your dog needs regular check-ups with their veterinarian. Making sure their bloodwork and vaccinations are current can help keep them healthy, and can catch underlying illness early so that it can be treated if necessary. Yearly check-ups also help ensure your dog is within a healthy weight range, and that their skin and coats are healthy.
Your furry pal loves mealtime and treats, and it’s to go overboard when they’re so excited about it! It’s important, however, to make sure you aren’t overfeeding your dog. Feed them the amount recommended on the package of kibble or food based on their age and weight.
If they seem hungry, talk to their veterinarian about whether or not you should offer more food. Remember, when you offer your dog treats, you’ll also need to reduce their kibble intake to ensure they don’t gain weight. If your dog regularly gets a few treats per day, those calories need to be taken from their kibble at mealtime.
It’s easy to get your dog to exercise when they are a puppy, but as dogs age, they naturally sleep more. If you own a breed that isn’t fond of walks, it can seem like a chore to get them motivated to go outside to move around.
Movement is important for your dog, just like it is for you. Most dogs need at least one to two walks per day, but your dog may need more if they are a particularly hyper breed. If your dog hates walking, try other activities like swimming (with a flotation device) or playing fetch.
Dogs need affection, and most pet parents don’t shy away from giving their dogs plenty of it. Belly rubs, praise, and playtime are ways to bond with your dog and can even help them avoid depression and anxiety. How much cuddling does your dog need? That’s completely up to them (and you)!
Longevity15™ is a research-backed supplement that contains an odd-chain, saturated fatty acid known as C15:0. This ground-breaking fatty acid supports your dog’s long-term health and offers you an easy way to help them keep their bodies going strong for as many years as possible.
It’s a little-known fact, but 80% of dogs over the age of three have some form of periodontal disease, and only 20% of those dogs’ owners know about it. What’s the big deal with periodontal disease? Glad you asked.
In dogs, gum disease can lead to systemic illness and even organ failure. Left untreated, your dog’s dental issues could cause them to age faster and die sooner.
Unfortunately, most dog owners aren’t diligent about taking care of their dog’s teeth. While your dog may get a yearly cleaning at their veterinarian’s office, that usually isn’t enough to protect them against illness for the remainder of the year. If you’ve been slacking on your dog’s dental care, the time to get back on the dental bandwagon is now.
Taking care of your dog’s teeth is important for their oral health and their overall health. All it takes is a little patience and about ten minutes out of your day. Dental care is an absolute must if you want your dog to live as long as possible.
To brush your dog’s teeth, you’ll need a dog-safe toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush. Practice placing the toothbrush near your dog’s open mouth to get them used to the sensation.
Begin by brushing only the front teeth and, as they are more comfortable, move to the back teeth. Always offer praise and rewards after tooth brushing to incentivize the activity and make it a positive experience.
Along with brushing, make sure your dog is seeing their veterinarian or veterinary dentist as often as needed. Some dogs (especially small breeds) need their teeth cleaned more frequently than once per year due to their increased risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
Dental chews are helpful tools that can help keep your dog’s teeth clean, their breath fresh, and their bellies happy. Yummy Combs® are the only dental treats that are scientifically proven to remove hardened tartar from your dog’s teeth and gumline.
They also provide 44% chicken protein for a treat that is complete and balanced. Your dog will get all the nutrients they need, even though you’re reducing their kibble to keep their weight in check.
You want to be able to love and enjoy your pet at all ages. Taking the best possible care of them means you are doing your part to keep them healthy, happy, and supported. Between belly rubs and walks, give them Yummy Combs to keep their teeth clean and their bodies healthy.
Sources:
How Old is Old? Comparing Dog Age to Human Age | VCA Animal Hospitals
Dog and Cat Ages | American Veterinary Medical Association.org
Relation between periodontal disease and systemic diseases in dogs | ScienceDirect
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Always feed the right treat size for your dog’s weight category. Always supervise your dog when feeding treats. This product is an adult only dog treat. Always provide ample fresh water for your dog.
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