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How old is your dog in human years? We used to simply multiply a dog’s age by seven.However, thiscalculation isn’t socut-and-dry.See our dog age calculator and chart to discover your dog’sage.
Do Dogs Age 7 Years to Our 1Year?
The easy way to calculate a dog’s age is to take 1 dog year and multiply it by 7 years. This is based on the assumption that dogs live to about 10 and humans live to about 70, on average. For example, a dog that is 5 years old is 35 “human years.”
Contrary to common belief, dogs do not age at a rate of 7 human years for each year in dog years.The number of human years piles onto a dog’s life more quickly during the dog’s rapid growth to maturity.
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That said, this isn’t a bad approach from a health perspective because it helps humans realize that our dogs aren’t the same aschildren.
As pets get older, they need extra care and attention. Small dogs are generally considered “senior” at seven years of age.Larger breeds are often senior when they are 5 to 6 years ofa*ge.
Be aware of arthritis and related discomfort or irritability, weight control, sight and hearing issues, and any changes in behavior or activity that could indicate more seriousissues.
Visit your vet for exams regularly; adjustments can be made to give your pets a more comfortable, longer, healthierlife.
How to Calculate a Dog’s AgeProperly
Statistics from pet insurance companies, breed club surveys, and veterinary hospitals have helped us learn more about how dogs age. According to the American Veterinary MedicalAssociation:
- The first year of a medium-sized dog’s life equals approximately 15 years of a human’slife.
- The second year of a dog’s life equals about nine years for ahuman.
- After that, every human year equals approximately four or five years for adog.
Dog Age Calculator: Dog Years to HumanYears
If we think like a dog, here’s how a dog’s age compares to a human’s age! Note that this is still not a perfect calculator. There are many variations based on a dog’s breed, their background, and their size.Note that this calculator is for a medium-sizedbreed of dog. Consult the chart below to see the differences between dogs of different sizes(small, medium, large, giant). Itshould give you a good sense of where your dog is in the development/agingprocess.
- Small Dog: 20 pounds orless
- Medium Dog: 21 to 50pounds
- Large Dog: 51 pounds to 100pounds
- Giant Dog: Over 100pounds
Age ofDog (dog’s age according to thecalendar) | Dog’s Age in HumanYears (dog’s age in equivalent human years, based on average breedsize) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small | Medium | Large | Giant | |
| 1 year | 15 | 15 | 15 | 12 |
| 2 years | 24 | 24 | 24 | 22 |
| 3 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 31 |
| 4 | 32 | 32 | 32 | 38 |
| 5 | 36 | 36 | 36 | 45 |
| 6 | 40 | 42 | 45 | 49 |
| 7 | 44 | 47 | 50 | 56 |
| 8 | 48 | 51 | 55 | 64 |
| 9 | 52 | 56 | 61 | 71 |
| 10 | 56 | 60 | 66 | 79 |
| 11 | 60 | 65 | 72 | 86 |
| 12 | 64 | 69 | 77 | 93 |
| 13 | 68 | 74 | 82 | 100 |
| 14 | 72 | 78 | 88 | 107 |
| 15 | 76 | 83 | 93 | 114 |
| 16 | 80 | 87 | 99 | 121 |
Source: AKC, “How to Calculate Dog Years to Human Years”
RelatedArticles
- Have a cat?See our Cat Age Chart!
- Is your dog starting to enter its elderly years? Get some tips for caring for an old pup.
- Also, check our home remedies for your pet’s arthritis.
How old is your canine companion? Tell us in the commentsbelow!
