If you are interested in calculating your dog’s age in human years more accurately, the latest formula by researchers at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine can help.
The researchers studied the way human and dog DNA changes over time specifically looking at patterns called methyl groups in humans and Labrador Retrievers. From this research, they concluded that you can calculate a dog’s age to human years by multiplying the natural logarithm of the dog’s age by 16 and adding 31. Their formula looks like this: (human_age = 16ln(dog_age) + 31).
For an easier (and also seemingly accurate) way to estimate your dog’s age, you can follow this chart for small, medium, and large dogs under 100 lbs.
- The first year of a dog’s life is equal to 15 human years.
- The second year of a dog’s life is equal to about nine human years.
- Each additional year is equal to about four or five human years.
Not all dogs age in the same way
Best way to explain this is that it takes into account that not all dog breeds age in the same ways. In general, we do know that smaller breeds tend to live longer than larger breeds. Therefore, it’s helpful to break down a dog age chart in terms of size, as you’ll see below.
What are common signs of aging in dogs?
- Yellowing teeth
- Graying hair
- Poor eyesight, cloudy eyes
- Trouble hearing
- Stiff muscles and joints, arthritis
- Lower activity level
- Behavioral changes such as increased anxiety,
confusion, accidents in the house, irritability, etc.
Why is understanding my dog’s age important?
Main reason you should want to know your pet’s true age is to better understand how old they are and how they are aging. This will allow you to understand how to properly care for them and give them the best life possible.
Keep in mind, if you have a larger dog, you’ll want to start looking for signs of aging around five or six, whereas smaller dog owners might not see any real signs of aging until their dog is about seven or eight. Once your dog reaches their senior years, you’ll want to keep an extra close eye on their behavior, activity level, and eating habits. In general, a healthy diet and weight, consistent mental stimulation and physical activity, and regular check-ups at your veterinarian will all help prolong your dog’s life expectancy.