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You probably have heard that one year for your fur babies equals seven human years. But it really isn’t that simple. Today, there are more accurate ways of calculating the age of your dogs and cats.
A lot of things come into play when determining the pet years to human years, according to WebMD. Puppies and kittens mature much earlier than human offspring. Size and breeds also play a large role in determining age equivalences with smaller dogs typically living longer than larger ones.
While it may not seem important, especially if your dog or cat is young and healthy, knowing your pet’s true age will help you properly take care of them well into their golden years.
Calculating Dog Years
In 2019, researchers at the University of California San Diego came up with a way to determine a dog's age in human years by using a concept called DNA methylation. As mammals age, their DNA picks up methyl groups that can be measured, explained Smithsonian magazine. The researchers studied 100 Labrador retrievers between the ages of four months and 16 years and came up with a formula to convert dogs' age to human age. This is called the dog age equivalent calculator.
While the formula is not perfect, it is far more accurate than what was thought before. Because puppies mature quicker than human children, the first year corresponds to 15 human years. The second year adds nine more human years. After that, each year equals around four to five years. Larger breeds are considered senior at around age five or six and smaller breeds a year later.
If you adopted your dog and do not know his age, you can check his teeth and take your fur baby to a veterinarian for a check. Keeping your pet up to date on his vaccines and keeping him fit and trim will ensure that he ages well.
How Old is Your Cat?
Cat’s ages can also be calculated according to the Purina pet food company website. Because cats mature very fast, the first two years of a cat’s life equals approximately 25 years of human life. While there is no formula for calculating this, it is believed that every additional cat year adds four human years.
How long a cat will live depends on the breed but life expectancy also depends on whether your cat lives indoors or out. The average lifespan of an indoor cat is 16 to 18 years – with some breeds like Siamese and Manx living longer— and 13 to 14 years for an outdoor cat.
If you adopted your cat, and do not know her birth date, there are ways to help you guestimate. The first indicator is the condition of her teeth, coat, and eyes. Knowing when your furry one has transitioned into a senior cat can help you give her the best care.
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