Just like people, dogs grow up. So whether you’re raising a puppy or thinking of adopting, many pet owners will eventually need to care for a senior dog.
So how old is a senior dog really? Does the old rumored equation that a dog’s age equals each human year alive multiplied by seven still hold up? You may also be wondering what kind of challenges you’ll face with a senior dog. Let’s learn more about how dogs age and what makes a dog a senior dog.
How To Tell How Old Your Dog Is: The Real Math
First, discard the “human age times seven” rule you’ve probably heard about. While it’s accurate in a very broad sense, it doesn’t fully capture how a dog ages over time.
To help you get a handle on your dog’s approximate age, The Farmer’s Almanac provides an age conversion calculator and this helpful senior dog age chart.1
Year |
Small (20 lbs or less) |
Medium (21 – 50 lbs.) |
Large (51 – 100 lbs.) |
Giant (100 + lbs.) |
1 |
15 |
15 |
15 |
12 |
2 |
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 |
A dog can age very quickly in their first 2 years, going from puppy to young adult (human age 0 – early 20s), maturing much faster than humans. After that, dogs age a little more slowly, usually an average of 4 – 6 dog years for every human year.1
Size also plays a key role. Smaller dogs tend to age more slowly after the first 2 years and live longer. Meanwhile, larger dogs age a little more slowly in their first 2 years, but age more quickly after that. A good rule of thumb? The smaller the dog, the longer the lifespan.1
At What Age Is a Dog Considered a Senior?
Dogs are considered senior when they reach the equivalent of 60 in human years. Based on a dog age to human age comparison, dogs tend to reach senior status at these human ages:2
- Small dogs: 11 – 12 years of age
- Medium-sized dogs: 10 years of age
- Larger-sized dogs: 8 years of age
- Giant-breed dogs: 7 years of age
Of course, aside from time, how a dog ages is also based on factors like diet, genetics, and lifestyle. Some dogs can be as active as puppies after age 12, while others may show signs of aging much earlier.2
The most important thing to remember about dogs and aging is that your dog will age faster than you. While the rare dog may live as long as 30 years, most dogs have an average lifespan of 10 – 13 years.3,4 So if you own a dog for their lifetime, it’s likely to be a senior dog for at least some of that time.
The Challenges of Caring For Senior Dogs
Senior dogs can bring enormous joy to the lives of their owners. However, their needs may be different from younger dogs. If you own or are planning to adopt a senior dog, you’ll want to brush up on how to:
Also like humans, older dogs can develop health problems that can affect their quality of life as they get older including:
Vestibular disease
As dogs get older they may be more likely to develop vestibular disease or inner ear conditions which can affect their balance and coordination. In addition to limiting your senior dog’s overall quality of life, these conditions can also make your dogs more accident-prone and susceptible to injury.
Dementia and cognitive decline
Like humans, dogs can suffer from dementia and other cognitive issues as they age. While these can be treated with medication, diet, and supplements, they tend to be degenerative which means long-term care will be needed.
Joint and mobility issues
As dogs age, they’re more likely to develop osteoarthritis and other conditions that affect joint health. While these conditions can be treated with supplements like glucosamine, they also tend to be chronic.
Older dogs may also be more likely to need surgery for conditions like hip dysplasia. This can easily cost thousands of dollars per procedure.
Old Dogs, New Costs
Dogs have health and wellness costs at any age, but older dogs may come with extra costs. That’s why you may want to consider a dog insurance policy. To find out if pet insurance for your senior dog is worth it, get a free quote today.