Pet owners have been asking how old our dogs are in human years for centuries (and probably longer).
We do this mostly because it is fun to speculate how old our pets would be if they suddenly transformed into a human, although there is a practical use, too. By calculating dog age in human years, we gain a better sense of their life span, energy levels, and potential health issues, helping us distinguish between normal symptoms and those that may need attention.
How old is a dog in human years?
The common belief is that dogs age seven times faster than human beings. Fortunately, the real number is actually slightly less, meaning our dogs can enjoy more years with us than they would were this myth true.
Yet, it is not as simple as them ageing the human equivalent of an easy to remember, round number each year. In fact, a dog’s age in human years varies with size, breed, and specific growth phases throughout their lives.
|
Dog Size (Average weight for breed) |
Small (<9.5kg) |
Medium (9.5-22kg) |
Large (23kg +) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age of Dog (Years) | Equivalent Human Age (Years) | ||
| 1 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
| 2 | 24 | 24 | 24 |
| 3 | 28 | 28 | 28 |
| 4 | 32 | 32 | 32 |
| 5 | 36 | 36 | 36 |
| 6 | 40 | 42 | 45 |
| 7 | 44 | 47 | 50 |
| 8 | 48 | 51 | 55 |
| 9 | 52 | 56 | 61 |
| 10 | 56 | 60 | 66 |
| 11 | 60 | 65 | 72 |
| 12 | 64 | 69 | 77 |
| 13 | 68 | 74 | 82 |
| 14 | 72 | 78 | 88 |
| 15 | 76 | 83 | 93 |
| 16 | 80 | 87 | 120 |
While the table above gives you a more accurate indicator of how old your dog is in human years, you may prefer a less accurate but more straightforward method. If so, the general rule to follow is that your dog ages 15 human years in year one, 9 years in year two, and 5 years thereafter.
How do you calculate dog age in human years?
Researchers base the figures in the table above on many factors, most of which are physical.
For instance, we estimate that a 1-year-old dog is about the equivalent to a 15-year-old teenager because all of their teeth have developed, they are strong and energetic and they have reached (or are approaching) sexual maturity.
Meanwhile, as dogs get older, their teeth start to show wear and tear and they are more likely to succumb to illnesses and ailments which we tend to associate with elderly humans, such as arthritis, cloudy eyes, loose skin and grey hair.
| Age of Dog | Human Equivalent | Indicator(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 8 weeks | 3-4 years | Baby teeth have finished growing |
| 7 months | 8-10 years | All permanent teeth have grown |
| 1-2 years | 15-24 years | Teeth starting to yellow and duller |
| 3-5 years | 28-36 years | Tooth wear and plaque build-up is common |
| 5-10 years | 36-66 years | Teeth and gums show some signs of disease |
| 10-15 years | 56-93 years | Teeth well worn, lots of plaque and some may be missing |
Unfortunately, researchers still don’t know why larger breeds of dog tend to age faster than smaller breeds. Certainly, this is quite uncommon amongst other species, with larger animals tending to live relatively long lives (whales, elephants), while small animals live shorter lives (rodents, small birds).
Whatever the reason, older dogs tend to age much more rapidly in their final years, while smaller dogs tend to decline more steadily.
Help your dog live a healthy life
Although every dog is different and there isn’t much we can do about genetic predispositions to illness, the best way to help your dog live the longest life possible is to keep them healthy, both mentally and physically.
A loving home with lots of play, affection and exercise is the best way to keep your dog happy, stimulated and physically fit.
Meanwhile, a well-balanced diet of food they love and which provides them all the nutrition they need will keep their bones and muscles as strong and healthy as possible.
Need more advice? Speak to our pet nutritionist, Alice!
