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Answers from veterinarians about your dog’s health, behavior, and care:

How old is your dog in people years?

The health of your pet can change rapidly as he or she ages.

Posted October 25, 2011 in Dog Health

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Beginning at around age 7, many dogs enter their senior years. At this stage, dogs often begin to develop diseases common to their senior human counterparts, such as diabetes, heart disease, hypothyroidism, and cancer. In fact, one out of 10 pets that appears healthy has an underlying disease.1  

First, identify your dog's real age using this chart. Then, discuss ways to keep your pet healthy with your veterinarian.


Chart courtesy of Fred L. Metzger, DVM, DABVP

 

 

Reference:

1. Rehm M. Seeing double.Veterinary Economics. 2007;48(10):40-48.

 

Comments 9
He is 65 in people years
Very intresting that a dog's weight also add's age.  Makes sense small dogs live quite a bit longer than large breed dogs. Thanks for the info.
David at Pet Health Network's picture

Hi Katie, thanks for letting us know you found the content interesting. And thanks for being a member of the Pet Health Network community!

Your article   about dog age and weight is very interesting. I get very scared about my pit I love her so much, I don't want anything to happen to her.She helps me when I get sick and when I had an operation, she was right there all the time, it is just her and me. She is 7 really 56, I hope she lives  along time.
David at Pet Health Network's picture

Hi there, we hope you pal is around for a long time too! Just be sure to keep her weight at an appropriate level and see the vet at least once, if not twice a year! Thanks for being part of the Pet Health Network!

My dog is 13 in people years, 2 in dog years. COOL!
DOG AGE IS DETERMINED HOW?  I HAVE 2 LITTLE CHIUAUAS.  1 FEMALE.  WILL BE 7 IN AUG.  1 MALE. WILL BE 4 IN OCT.  FEMALE WEIGHS- 10LBS.  MALE, 8 LBS.  BOTH SEEM VERY HEALTHY.  GET THEIR SHOTS WHEN NEEDED.  I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW TO DETERMINE THEIR AGE IN HUMAN YRS.  THANK YOU.
Matt from the Pet Health Network's picture

Hi there!

According to the chart above, your female is 44 in dog years, while your male is 26 in dog years. This is based on correlating body weight with age. Smaller dogs don't age as quickly as bigger dogs because their organs, such as the heart, don't have to work as hard to keep the body running.

Thanks for the question,

Matt from the Pet Health Network

Just adopted Truman and we are the same age!

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