How dog's age differently from humans: Comparing dog years to human years
Updated: Apr 11, 2022
Dogs are amazing creatures that have been by our side for centuries. They are loyal, intelligent, and loving animals that have a special bond with humans. Over the course of time, they have been used as working animals, guides for the blind, protectors of families, and more. They are truly man's best friend.
We owe a lot to these amazing animals, and we should always show them the love and respect they deserve.
This article was written by the team at Ralph Woofington, The Online Dog Shop. You can find dog beds, accessories and grooming that are as unique as you and your dog. Use the code RALPH10 to take 10% off your first order. |
Have you ever wondered how to determine how old your pup is in dog years?
Puppies grow much faster during their first two years of life and then slow down as they get older.
Dogs age differently than people do, so it can be hard to determine exactly how old your pup is in dog years.
They grow the most between one and two years old, doubling their size and gaining a quarter more muscle mass on average.
This is the part of their life when they are the most active.
Dogs of all breeds tend to be active or playful during this time. Their growth slows greatly between the ages of three and seven. During this life period, you will find them sleeping a lot more than usual, a marked change from their puppyhood.
From birth to 15 years old, dogs age seven years for every one human year. After that, they only age four years for every human year.
You can use this dog age calculator to work out your dog's age in dog years.
Contents of this article
How dogs age differently than humans
Dogs age at a faster rate than their owners. There is no one definitive answer to how old a dog is in canine years. Just as humans have different life phases, dogs too progress at different rates. A dog's age is about seven human years for every one year they are alive. That means you can roughly estimate your dog's age by counting how many years they have been alive.
There are a few factors that determine how they age. The most important thing about a dog's lifespan is their size. Small dogs tend to live longer than large dogs. How long a dog lives also depends on the breed. Some breeds of dogs have a lifespan of 10-12 years, while others can live up to 20 years or more!
Another major factor in how dogs age at a different rate to humans, is their rate of growth.
Puppies grow very quickly when they are young and also grow rapidly during their teenage years, although not at the same rate as puppyhood. Because of this accelerated rate of growth, they age much faster than humans do in many ways.
Why dogs grow the way they do and how that changes over time
The rate that dogs grow
Dogs grow at different speeds as they age, which is due to a variety of factors, including size, breed, and diet. If you have ever had a puppy, you will know how they grow really quickly during their first year of life. depending on the breed, your dog might quadruple in size during its first year! Rapid growth needs the right nutrition, you can read this article to find out how much food your dog needs. Their growth slows down as they get older and approach middle age.
How dogs learn and develop over time
Your dog will learn and develop over time in a number of different ways. One of the most important aspects of their development is their relationship with their owners. Canines who are well-socialized and have a strong bond with their owner tend to be more confident and better behaved than those who do not.
Dogs are most receptive to learning when they are puppies, it is important to start training them from an early age.
Puppies can start learning basic commands like sit and stay as early as eight weeks old. As they get older, they will continue to learn new tricks and behaviours, but they will also become more resistant to change. It's important to start training them as early as you can and be consistent with your commands.
They also learn through experience and observation. Dogs that live in a stable environment learn new skills faster than dogs that are stressed or anxious.
Metabolism and hormones
As they get older, dogs undergo changes in their hormones and metabolism. Senior dogs may start to lose muscle mass, which could make them look thinner. Their skin may also become less elastic and they could develop wrinkles. Hearing and vision loss is a risk as they age, although thankfully it's not very common.
All of these changes can happen quickly. While we humans usually experience a steady decline in health over the years as we get older, canines can have a sudden onset of age-related conditions during their senior years.
The various stages of a dog's life
There are different stages in a dog's life, just as there are in a human's life.
Puppies
The cutest and most fun part of any dog/human relationship, puppyhood is the stage of life when they are learning about the world. This usually lasts from birth to around one year old. During their puppy months, they are energetic and playful and growing rapidly.
Young Adult
Adolescence is the stage of life when they start to mature and become adults. This usually lasts from the ages of one to three. At this age may start to settle down and become more serious. They will also start to look more like grown-up dogs, but should still have some of their puppy charm.
Adults
Adulthood is the stage of life when they finish growing and have reached their full size. Adulthood usually lasts between three and five years old. During this time there is a chance that they might still grow and they will still have a lot of energy and playfulness left in them.
Middle-aged
Middle-aged dogs are typically those who are between five and ten years old. This is a stage in a dog's life when they might start to experience age-related health problems.
Losing muscle mass, skin elasticity and developing wrinkles can all happen during these years. They could also lose some of their hearing and vision as they age.
Metabolic problems and diseases such as arthritis and diabetes are also a risk factor during the middle-age years. You should make sure to take your dog for regular vet checkups. This will help keep them healthy. You should also make sure they get enough exercise and the right nutrition.
The Senior Years
Senior adults are in the stage of life when they are visibly older and show signs of ageing.
It usually starts at about ten years old. At this age, they are starting to slow down and their joints may become stiff and they could start to experience mobility issues.
In the senior years, they are typically full of energy when they wake up but then become tired after being active. They can also develop irreversible health problems, such as arthritis and heart disease.
Tips for Caring for Your Dog Throughout Their Lifespan
There are a few things you can do to help your dog live a full, happy life:
Make sure your dog has regular vet checkups. This will help to catch any health problems early on.
Feed your dog a healthy diet and make sure they get plenty of exercise. This will help keep them lean and fit. Consider exploring raw diet, or freshly cooked meal plans like this one from ButternutBox.
Provide your dog with plenty of toys and bones to chew on. This will help keep their teeth clean and free of disease. You can find loads of long-lasting chews and durable toys here.
Groom your dog regularly. This will help keep their coat clean and shiny. Use organic and natural grooming products like these.
Dog age calculator
If you want to know how old your dog is in dog years then use this calculator to work it out.
Enter your dog's age in human years, the calculator will then provide you with an estimate of how old your dog is.
Easy dog age calculator
Different breeds age at different speeds and this calculator is a fun tool to help you work out the approximate range of your dog's age.
Determining how old your dog is in "dog years" can be a little tricky, since they age differently than we do.
The dog years calculator should help you get an idea of the life stage they are in. Keep in mind that each dog is unique and may not follow this exact timeline.
It's important to keep your dog healthy by taking them to the vet regularly, feeding it a healthy diet, and giving it plenty of exercises. Grooming your dog regularly is also key to keeping them healthy and happy, this article talks more about how to groom your dog at home.
We hope this article has helped to answer your question about dog years and how they age differently than people. If you have any other comments feel free to post them below.
Ralph Woofington is a UK based online shop for dogs. Shop for a range of dog beds, grooming and walking accessories as unique as you and your dog. You can save 10% off your first order using the code RALPH10. With delivery options including next day delivery, your order will be with you in no time at all.