Decoding Dog Years: A Guide to Calculating Fido’s Age

We all know the old rule of 1 year = seven dog years. However, scientists have discovered that the rule is merely a myth. Read on how to actually calculate your dog’s real into human years!

Big Dog vs Small Dog

The first thing to do when calculating your dog’s age is to consider how big they are. Small and big dogs have different calculations for translating their age into human years. This is due to the lifespan difference between big dogs and small dogs. Small dogs have a reputation for having a longer lifespan than large pups. This is because large dogs use their energy differently than small dogs.

The Calculations

The true calculation for your dog’s age is a bit tricky. Once a dog turns one, their age becomes a natural logarithm. The log of their age is multiplied by 16, and then 31 is added. Sounds confusing, right? Don’t worry; canine scientists have found a simpler way to calculate your pooch’s age. First, they take the dog’s size into account. Then, you multiply your dog’s age by a certain number. For small dogs, multiply their age by 12.5. For large dogs, multiply their age by 9 years. However, this research isn’t perfect, so animal scientists are doing further research on how dogs age.

Further Research

If you’re interested in the science of canine aging, check out the Dog Aging Project. This project is a collaborative study between the University of Washington and Texas A&M University. This research project studies why certain dogs have longer lifespans than others. If you’re interested in this project, fill out the survey on the dog acting project’s website to enroll your dog! Not only will you learn more about the science of canine aging, you can contribute to a study that is helping dogs live longer and happier lives.

The science behind canine aging is fascinating. The next time you wonder how old Fido is in human years, check out this blog!