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How to Calculate Dog Years to Human Years (Your Dog’s Age)

Last Updated : 05 Mar, 2024
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People have used a simple rule to figure out a dog’s age in human years, they say that one year for a dog is like seven years for a person. But in truth, it’s not that straightforward. Still, many people stick to this old way of calculating it.

Human-Years-vs-dog-years

Many people think that one dog year is the same as seven human years, but it’s not that simple. The real story is that how fast your dog gets older depends on their breed, how big they are, and their genes. Small dogs usually live longer than big ones, and when they become “old” can be different for each breed.

Scientists have found a better way to figure out dog years into human years. This new way shows that dogs get older quickly when they’re young, but it slows down as they get older. This is important for taking care of your dog because it helps you know what kind of veterinary care they need as they age.

How to Convert Dog Years to Human Years?

This is how the American Veterinary Medical Association provides a broad framework, though:

1. A medium-sized dog’s first year is equivalent to fifteen human years.

2. Two years in a dog’s life are about equivalent to nine in a human’s.

3. After that, a dog’s life expectancy would be around five years for every human year.

Dog years to human years chart 

Below mentioned are broad estimates and the aging process might vary depending on breed, genetics, and individual health. The presented figures are based on a widely used system in which the first two years are multiplied by 15 and 9, respectively, and each subsequent year is roughly similar to 5 human years. Large breeds tend to age faster than smaller animals.

Here’s a table showing a dog’s age in human years for small, medium, and big breed canines:

Dog Size

Small Breed

Medium Breed

Large Breed

Dog Age

Age in Human Years

1

15

15

15

2

24

24

24

3

28

28

28

4

32

32

32

5

36

36

36

6

40

42

46

7

44

47

50

8

48

51

55

9

52

56

61

10

56

60

66

What Is the Average Life Expectancy of a Dog?

The size, breed, genes, and way of life of your dog are just a few of the many factors that might determine its lifespan:

Breed Average Life Expectancy (Years)
Labrador Retriever 10 – 12
German Shepherd 9 – 13
Golden Retriever 10 – 12
Beagle 10 – 15
Bulldog 8 – 10
Yorkshire Terrier 13 – 16
Boxer 10 – 12
Poodle 10 – 18
Shih Tzu 10 – 16
Dachshund 12 – 16
Great Dane 7 – 10
Siberian Husky 12 – 14
Chihuahua 14 – 16
Australian Shepherd 13 – 15
Saint Bernard 8 – 10
Border Collie 12 – 15
Cocker Spaniel 10 – 14
Rottweiler 8 – 10
French Bulldog 10 – 12
Doberman Pinscher 10 – 13

Indices of Dogs’ Growing Older

Adopting a puppy or dog without knowing their background might make it difficult to determine their exact age. You may still make an educated guess as to their age without knowing the exact day of birth.

You can estimate a dog’s age roughly by looking at its teeth. Different dogs will have different dental care needs, so it’s important to research what your dog’s previous dentist recommended.

Certain indicators of aging may manifest in older dogs, such as:

  • Hazy vision
  • Hair that is gray. The affected region begins to expand from the muzzle to other parts of the head, torso, and face.
  • Flaxen skin
  • Rigid legs
  • Poor oral hygiene
  • Obstacles in navigating recent growths
  • Weight fluctuations
  • Difficulty passing urine or feces, or complete incontinence
  • A dread of things or people they were formerly familiar with
  • Dyssomnia, restlessness, or pacing during the night
  • The sound of increased barking
  • Repeatedly following instructions or prompts but failing to remember
  • Theft in inappropriate places Anxiety
  • Confusion
  • Dropping out of the game

Tips for Increasing Your Dog’s Lifespan

If you want your dog to enjoy a long and healthy life, follow these tips –

Give them nutritious food: Protein, lipids, carbs, vitamins, and minerals should all be included in a portion of high-quality dog food.

Make sure they don’t get too heavy: Before you start exercising your dog, it’s a good idea to see your vet; nevertheless, in general, high-energy dogs require more activity than low-energy ones.

Make sure their vaccines and checkups are up-to-date: Adenovirus, parvovirus, distemper, and rabies vaccinations are the top four for dogs. It is recommended that your canine get routine checkups and bloodwork.

Learn the signs of the illnesses that might affect your dog’s breed:

Some symptoms that look common but can lead to fatal diseases are:

  1. Bloody diarrhea
  2. Lethargy
  3. not eating
  4. vomiting 

Toxins and other dangerous substances should be kept away:

Things like chocolate, antifreeze, fabric softener sheets, caffeine, alcohol, pesticides, and insecticides are all part of this category, whether they are edible or not.

Conclusion 

In conclusion, converting dog years to human years is a way to understand our furry friends’ age in terms we can relate to. While the old rule of thumb used to be simply multiplying a dog’s age by 7, experts now suggest a more complex method that takes into account the dog’s size and breed. This approach helps us appreciate the different life stages of our pets more accurately.

Remember, whether it’s a small breed or a large breed, each dog ages at its own pace. By understanding the conversion from dog years to human years, we can provide better care and attention to our dogs throughout their lives.

Dog Years to Human Years – FAQS

How to convert dog to human years?

15 human years equals the first year of a medium-sized dog’s life. Year two for a dog equals about nine years for a human. And after that, each human year would be approximately five years for a dog.

How old is 13 in dog years?

The concept of “dog years” is often approximated by multiplying a dog’s age by 7. So, 13 years in human years would be considered approximately 91 years in dog years.

Is 1 human year 7 years for a dog?

While the 7-year rule is a common approximation, it’s not entirely accurate. The aging process varies among dog breeds. Generally, the first year of a medium-sized dog’s life is considered equivalent to about 15 human years, the second year to 9 human years, and each year after that is equivalent to about 5 human years.

How old is a 7-year-old dog?

According to the commonly used 7-year rule, a 7-year-old dog would be considered approximately 49 years old in human years. However, the more accurate method considers the specific life stages and size of the dog breed.

How to calculate dog age?

A more accurate way to calculate dog age involves different factors for different life stages. For the first two years, a medium-sized dog’s age can be multiplied by 15 for the first year and 9 for the second year. After that, each year is approximately equivalent to 5 human years. Larger breeds may age more quickly, and smaller breeds may age more slowly.

How old is a 5 year old dog?

A 5-year-old dog is considered to be in its adult stage, roughly equivalent to a human in their late 30s to early 40s in terms of physical maturity and life stage. However, the exact age comparison can vary depending on the breed and size of the dog. Generally, smaller breeds tend to mature faster and live longer, while larger breeds mature slower and have shorter lifespans.



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