This article originally appeared in the award-winning AKC Family Dog magazine. Subscribe now!
People are increasingly determined to help their dogs live as long as possible. In a relatively short period, society has moved away from dogs being regarded as livestock to becoming members of the family. In the past 60 years or so, we’ve seen the shift in practice from having dogs live out in the backyard to having them sleep in the bed with us, and even home-cooking them specialized meals.
As humans have become individually bonded to their dogs, we’re thinking about canine lifespan in the same way we think about our own. What if we could extend their lives, even by a year or two? Or more?
The Dog Aging Project is a massive, long-term study that investigates how genes, lifestyle, and environment influence aging in dogs. Centered at the University of Washington and Texas A&M University, and funded by the National Institute on Aging, it tracks tens of thousands of companion dogs with the goal of improving canine—and human—long-term health.
The project relies heavily on dog owners’ observations and feedback across the U.S. These dog owners fill out regular health and lifestyle surveys, and in some cases, provide DNA samples or veterinary records.
While the researchers eventually hope to be able to extend a dog’s lifespan using cutting-edge longevity drugs, they’re uncovering plenty of simple, practical things you can do to help keep your dog as healthy as possible in the meantime.
Understanding Aging
One factor that makes dogs so unique is the huge variance in their sizes, personalities, and life expectancy. Giant breeds may have a life expectancy as short as 6 to 8 years, while small and toy breeds can live twice as long, or more. No matter their expected lifespan, as dogs age, they have different needs. Steps you take when they are younger can help your dog live a longer, healthier, and happier life, thus improving the quality of their final years.
Senior dogs are generally defined as being in the last 25 percent of their life expectancy (depending on the breed, this is typically 6 years or older). Geriatric dogs are those at 100 percent or more of their expected lifespan.
Seniors often need minor lifestyle adjustments, while geriatric dogs require intense, specialized care and pain management.
Want to help your dog to live a longer life? According to researchers, the leading cause of death among dogs is cancer. This is true among all breeds. The second leading cause of death is heart disease, and the third leading cause of death is trauma or injuries.
While we can’t completely prevent cancer or heart disease, and while it’s difficult to prevent every possible case of trauma or injury, there are steps we can take to help our dogs live longer lives.
Proper Weight and Consistent Physical Activity
Maintaining your dog’s proper body weight and a regular exercise routine is a critical part of keeping your dog healthy for longer. We know that proper exercise can help reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease, orthopedic issues, and more—but research shows that consistency is key. Dogs that are largely sedentary, then do short bursts of excessive activity like an intense hike or long run on the weekends, can experience a whole host of health issues.
The body of evidence overwhelmingly shows that physical activity is linked to better cognition and fewer owner-reported medical diagnoses. That’s because exercise lowers rates of obesity, which is linked to a higher risk of diseases like cancer, heart disease, diabetes, osteoarthritis, urinary incontinence, and impaired respiratory function that can shorten a dog’s life.
As for how much activity your dog needs? The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention recommends at least 30 minutes of aerobic activity a day, but the amount largely depends on your buddy’s breed and disposition. Sporting and herding breeds, like heelers and spaniels, need far more activity than, say, a French Bulldog or Maltese.
The key, however, no matter the breed, is to be consistent. Weekend warriors—dogs that are largely sedentary but exercise intensely on the weekends—can experience a whole host of health issues. As in people, that kind of intermittent extreme activity is more likely to cause injuries.
Walking may be the most obvious solution, but you can also jog, hike, swim, enroll them in agility classes, play fetch, disc, or tug-of-war. If you’re short on time, hide treats in your home and encourage your dog to look for them or go on a quick 10-minute power walk around the block. The best exercise is the one you and your dog will do consistently.
Feeding Time
Follow the science—not trends. It’s not just what you feed them, but how much and how often!
Expensive food is not necessarily better. From kibble to home-cooked meals and raw food to freeze-dried, there are numerous options when it comes to feeding your dog. But many carry a range of health risks.
Like all things, your dog’s nutritional needs depend on their age, breed, activity levels, and personality. Keep it simple. Many veterinarians recommend choosing a pet food that meets the nutritional standards established by AAFCO, an organization that provides assessment and standards for animal feed. Look for AAFCO nutritional adequacy statements on the packaging, which guarantees the food is complete and balanced.
Raw foods may contain microorganisms that cause infections like salmonella. Home-cooked meals, unless directed by a veterinary professional, may not meet the protein, fat, and micronutrient needs of dogs, and they have been linked to higher rates of gastrointestinal and renal diseases. Excess table scraps, especially fatty ones, can lead to life-threatening issues like hemorrhagic gastroenteritis and pancreatitis.
The biggest issue vets see is overfeeding and obesity. People often underestimate how much they feed their dogs. Obesity has been linked to a shorter lifespan to the tune of about 2.5 years less, by some estimates, while having a lean body mass is linked to a longer lifespan. That’s something noted across all breeds, weights, and life stages.
Additionally, research from the Dog Aging Project reveals that adult dogs fed once a day had lower odds of developing gastrointestinal, dental, and orthopedic conditions. However, experts advise that puppies, pregnant dogs, or dogs with specific medical conditions require multiple meals.
Social and Mental Stimulation
Dog Aging Project researchers have further discovered that social connectedness can have a profound impact on a dog’s well-being. Dogs that had more human and animal friends (cats, birds, and rodents included) had fewer owner-reported medical diagnoses like osteoarthritis, allergies, and gastrointestinal diseases, a 2023 study found.
The findings add to older research showing that dogs living in enriched environments (with stimulating toys and lots of playtime) were mentally sharper later in life. Those researchers posited that enrichment promotes the generation of new neural pathways that keep a canine’s brain healthy and adaptable. Play games with your dog, take them on excursions, and let them hang out with their furry friends if they get along with other animals.
Regular Vet Visits
Go to the vet for health checks at least once a year during their adult years—and twice a year for senior dogs. Scheduling routine exams for your dog can help you catch diseases earlier, start treatment sooner, and improve your dog’s long-term health outcomes and lifespan.
A 2023 paper found dogs regularly evaluated by a vet were 30 percent less likely to develop chronic diseases. It also found that vaccinated dogs had 40 percent fewer cases of transmittable diseases, while access to flea, worm, and tick medications cut the risk of parasitic infections by about 35 percent.
Brush Those Teeth
Dental care, too, has been linked to reduced mortality rate in dogs. Dental diseases can trigger inflammation in the body, cause life-threatening infections, and exacerbate preexisting health conditions like heart disease, kidney function, and more.
Daily brushing is ideal, but even a handful of quick swipes across their teeth a few times a week is beneficial.
The goal isn’t to make your dog live forever. Rather, it’s to maximize your dog’s healthspan—the length of a dog’s life they’re active and disease-free.
Anti-aging Drugs for Dogs?
Anti-aging drugs for dogs are medications that could help them live longer, healthier lives. Currently, two notable medications are being tested in clinical trials.
Rapamycin is a drug that is being investigated for its anti-aging potential in dogs. There is growing scientific and clinical data on the matter. While it is not FDA-approved to extend lifespan, it is being studied for its anti-aging, cardiac, and anticancer properties, and is sometimes prescribed off-label by veterinarians.
The biotech company Loyal has developed and is currently investigating and performing trials on drugs targeted for senior dogs, aiming to affect the longevity and metabolic health of aging dogs. These drugs differ significantly in their target age groups, the dog breeds they are designed for, and how they function biologically.
In the meantime, we must never accept “old age” as an explanation for a dog’s condition, and there are likely things that can be done to help improve outcomes.
What we can do now is what you already know. Keep your dog at a lean, healthy weight, keep them engaged and active. Keep up with your preventive medicine, and watch this space, because there will be new things we didn’t even think were possible a few years ago.
From behavior and training to health and nutrition, learn from the experts at the American Kennel Club, in AKC Family Dog magazine. Subscribe now!