How do you tell how old is a dog

Turns out there's a little more to it than multiplying by seven. If you've always thought of your dog's age in terms of each year equaling about 7 in human years, you're not completely off base. However, for a more accurate gauge of how old your dog really is, it can get more complicated.

But hey, we're not trying to revisit Algebra II here. Instead, Dr. Sara Ochoa, a Texas veterinarian and consultant for doglab.

In this one your dog ages as follows:. With this formula, the same three-year-old dog in the above example would be about 28 rather than This formula considers a dog's breed and size, aspects that influence how he ages. The reason why is still unknown, though Kraus puts forward several possibilities, including that larger dogs may succumb to age-related illnesses sooner and that the accelerated growth of large dogs may lead to a higher likelihood of abnormal cell growth and death from cancer.

Scientists plan future studies to better explain the link between growth and mortality. Canine gerontology is a burgeoning field of science, as dog lovers are looking to not only extend the time they have with their pets, but to improve the quality of that time. Whether measured in human years or dog years, as our dogs mature and age there is beauty and charm at every step along the way. With their gray muzzles and wise expressions, senior dogs are especially lovable and poignant.

A study by researchers at the University of California San Diego put forth a new method for calculating dog age, based on changes made to human and dog DNA over time.

This natural logarithm calculator can help. By this math, a dog lives to nine, a man to If these statistics were accurate, between and the mid th century, dogs had a year trimmed off their lifespan, and we lost almost a decade. Luckily for both species, our lifespans have gone in the other direction. Compare Breeds Compare up to 5 different breeds side by side. Dog Name Finder Browse our extensive library of dog names for inspiration.

Find out the best and worst foods for your dog and which to avoid. Additional Resources AKC. Home Slideshows. How Old Is My Dog? Written by: PetMD Editorial. Published: May 11, Previous Next. Look for Signs of Graying Many dogs get gray hair as they age just like we do , says Dr. Assess the Condition of the Teeth Just as we do, dogs have only two sets of teeth—baby and adult, says Creevy. How Fit Is Your Dog? Help us make PetMD better Was this article helpful?

Yes No. Share this article. What did you find helpful? What was not helpful? Say more Sign me up for the PetMD Newsletter. Submit Feedback. Still have questions? Continue to Chewy.