Most of us have this long thought-to-be-true idea that one dog year equals to seven human years. So, if you have a two-year-old puppy at home, it is already 14 years old when compared to humans. Therefore, if you have a ten-year-old dog at home, it is supposed to be basically a 70-year-old grandpa. However, these calculations are not accurate according to expert findings.
Direct Correlation Doesn’t Work
The team of scientists from San Diego University in California came up with a new technique that doesn’t use the direct correlation between the dog’s age and the human’s age and it shows that dogs age much faster than people early on in their lives and then the process gradually slows down. The research also showed certain connections between human and dog development. For example, it showed that approximately a seven-week-old puppy is as old as a baby of nine months.
DNA-based Research
The whole research was based on the molecular changes on the surface of DNA in a sample of 104 Labradors from the age of 0 to 16 years. Thanks to that they found out that molecular changes, the so-called process of methylation, influence the expression of certain genes. During their lives, dogs go through “shutting down” of certain genes they no longer need or their bodies fix genes in which mutations occur.
Common Milestones for Dogs and People
Both people and dogs share the processes of shutting down or fixing the genes as well as they also have some similar physical life milestones, such as the replacement of teeth, the onset of puberty or sexual maturity. However, the time when these occur is different.
Aging Is Fastest until One Year of Age
The whole research also came up with a formula that can help to determine the age of every dog. It means that a one-year-old puppy is on a similar level as a 31-year-old human. The human equivalent of a two-year-old dog is 42 years, and a three-year-old puppy is approximately as old as a 49-year-old human. This pattern makes it clear that the aging of dogs gradually slows down. At this rate, a 7-year-old dog can be compared to a 62-year-old human.
The following table shows the age of a dog and its equivalent in human years:
1 dog year 31 human years
2 dog years 42 human years
3 dog years 49 human years
4 dog years 53 human years
5 dog years 57 human years
6 dog years 60 human years
7 dog years 62 human years
Researchers also introduced a formula that can be used to for further calculations. However, it’s not as simple as the previously used one with direct correlation. The human years of a dog can be calculated as six times the natural logarithm of a real age of a dog increased by the constant of 31.
It's no secret that dogs like to visit the vet about as much as we like to visit the dentist. For most dogs, it causes stress that lasts for several hours. Thanks to their instincts, they sense it before you even leave for the vet's clinic. How can you...
When we let nature work and we don't interfere with it, it can do wonders. Letting the wolves into Yellowstone National Park and leaving them to their our own fate shows us what a complex system nature is and how dozens of wild beasts can transform...
58-year-old Chris found a new life purpose in rescuing and caring for cats after his son died. It helps him cope with his grief, and it gives him something to do.
Many of us love essential oils, whether it's because of their smell or their curative effects. Every other home has an aroma lamp or diffuser. But did you know what effects these fragrances have on your cats, and that they can seriously harm them?...
You've surely seen the viral videos where cats jump away in fright and are in complete shock because of a cucumber. Would you like to know the reason for this? Are cats afraid of this harmless vegetable, or is there another reason?
This little dog is very dependent on its owner. It is boundlessly dedicated to its owner and will do anything to cheer him up. It's not surprising that it's also referred to as an antidepressant dog. After all, just looking at this dog will put...
Although their appearance and nature is somewhat similar to that of the Norwegian Forest cat and Maine Coon cats, Siberian cats are not as popular. Outside of Russia and the former Eastern Bloc, they are not well known and are not seen very often. In...
Dogs are an inseparable part of our lives. But how to do it when your dream is to travel around the world on a sailboat or any other adventure? Take your furry friend with you. What shouldn’t you forget when preparing for a long journey wherever it...
The second day of Hindi festival called Tihar is devoted to dogs. Their loyalty and devotion is celebrated, they are honoured as companions, guardians and friends. A holiday which is full of lights and colours doesn’t forget about stray dogs and it is...
Brown rats are very cleanly animals. You can see them licking themselves several times a day and thus keeping their fur in a perfect condition. They suffer if their environment is not suitable, even though they can survive it. Many people think they...
For us, devoted dog parents, changes in our lives often include our dog companions. Moreover, the stuff we do to keep our furry friends happy and healthy also commonly influence us as well. We owe them for better life and they deserve to get the same...
It is sometimes fine to disrupt dogs’ routine by an interesting activity and what might be better than to teach your dog some tricks. Dogs hate boredom, even the greatest lazybones welcome some distraction. Here you have a couple of tips for tricks you...
