We’ve been calculating dogs’ ages all wrong — here’s how to figure out their age in human years
You’ve probably heard that one dog year equals seven human years. But as it turns out, it’s actually not that simple.
(And, hey, this is a serious matter because a lot of us are throwing “yappy birthday” parties for our dogs. A survey found that 75 percent of dog owners celebrate their dogs’ birthdays).
So how do you figure out how old your pup is so that you can put the right number of candles on that peanut butter cake and, more importantly, ensure he’s getting the proper vet care?
Fortunately, the American Veterinary Medical Association put together a handy chart (included below) that explains how dogs actually age.
At age 1, your dog is already 15 in human years
Dogs develop fast in their first year of life. Can you believe they’re already ready for their driver’s permit? Kidding, of course.
But we do like to humanize our dogs enough that we’re counting their ages in “human years.”
Dogs age nine human years between ages 1 and 2
A lot of development is still happening in a dog’s second year of life.
By the end of the second year, medium-sized dogs have developed by about nine years, and are 24 in human years, the AVMA says.
After year 2, dogs age about 4 to 6 human years per year
Here’s where you can toss out the seven-year rule, and where things really start to vary. The chart from the AVMA shows dogs aging about four to six years each year after year 2. Between ages 3 and 5, for example, they age by four years each year.
Between age 5 and 6, they age by six years. Then, between ages 6 and 7, they age by five years. Between ages 7 and 8, it goes back down to four years.
These calculations are based on medium-sized dogs, which the AVMA defines as those that weigh between 21 and 50 pounds.
Weight and other factors, such as breed, can affect the aging process. Some breeds live longer than others.
And smaller dogs have a longer life expectancy than bigger dogs. This is something that is of interest to scientists because larger mammals like whales live much longer than smaller ones like rodents.
According to the American Kennel Club, small dogs have lifespans that range from about 12 to 17 years; medium dogs have lifespans that range from about 10 to 15; and large dogs have lifespans that range from 8 to 16.
While we love celebrating our pets’ birthdays, the reality is that we’re really concerned about their age because we become so bonded to them. In fact, losing a pet can feel even harder than losing a relative.
Some ways that you can extend your dog’s life? By making sure they’re getting enough exercise and aren’t missing their visits to the vet’s office.
The birthday parties just make life a little sweeter (err, savory if you’ve got a peanut butter lover).
Here’s the chart from the American Veterinary Medical Association, if you’re curious!
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