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The post Do Dogs Have a Gag Reflex? Our Vet Explains by Dr. Ashley Darby BVSc (Veterinarian) appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.

If you have seen videos of a dog making a retching noise, you might wonder if it’s due to a gag reflex. We’re here to tell you, that yes, dogs have gag reflexes just like humans. Yet another thing we have in common!

Before reading this article, you should ensure what your dog is really doing is gagging. Vomiting and coughing can both look a lot like gagging, and can be associated with gagging so it can be difficult to tell the difference. True gagging is when the pup lowers their head, sticks out their tongue, and makes a retching sound, but isn’t moving air out their lungs or bringing up vomit. If you’re not sure, take a video of the behavior to show to your vet.

Dogs Have Gag Reflexes

As you now know, dogs do have gag reflexes that work in the same way as humans and other mammals. There are two pipes that run through the neck, with their entrances being side by side in the throat. The esophagus is the pipe for food and water to enter the stomach, whereas the trachea or windpipe is an airway. The gag reflex evolved to protect food from entering the airways, preventing life-threatening choking and aspiration pneumonia. Interestingly, the gag reflex develops in the fetus, meaning it is present before birth. During a puppy’s time with their mother, the sensitive gag reflex will prevent them swallowing food that is too solid for them.

During gagging the muscles in the throat contract and the soft palate lifts up with the aim of expelling food. However, more complex behaviors like opening the mouth, and sticking out the tongue occur with gagging. Severe gags can lead to vomiting. Tactile sensation within the throat stimulates the gag reflex and the nerves carry impulses to the brainstem and back to cause the gagging without conscious thought. Certain diseases can stimulate the gag reflex or cause it to become more sensitive.

Image Credit: aeonWAVE, Shutterstock

The 9 Reasons Dogs Might Gag

1. Something They’ve Eaten

We all know the dog that hoovers down their kibble or tries to eat things that aren’t food. If the body registers something in the throat that can’t be easily swallowed, say a piece of string or a large bite of food, it’s normal for the gag reflex to be triggered to protect the airway. In sensitive people, sticky or mushy food textures can stimulate a gag reflex, the same could be true for dogs. A large lump of peanut butter stuck in the throat would probably cause a dog to gag! If they try to eat something sharp this could also lead to gagging, especially if it gets stuck in the throat. Using a slow feeder and elevating the food bowl during meals can help prevent gagging. You should also give your dog a drink of water if they gag after eating.

2. Severe Coughing

Severe coughing can result in inflammation and mucus in the throat triggering the gag reflex. Coughing is a sign of problems that can range from mild to life-threatening, not a diagnosis in itself. If coughing triggers the gag reflex, vomiting or regurgitation can often follow. Your dog may bring up food or brown/yellow stomach contents. Kennel cough is a common viral cause of coughing and inflammation in the upper respiratory tract. It can cause a hacking cough, which tends to increase with excitement or exercise. Similar signs can also be caused by tracheal collapse, where the windpipe collapses on itself like a wet paper straw. This is common in small breed dogs, and is more of a chronic condition.

Image Credit: Dhanoo Surasarang, Shutterstock

3. Local Infection

If there is inflammation of the throat or larynx, this sensitizes the nerves and the gag reflex which could lead to more frequent gagging. Dental disease, which causes plaque and bacteria to accumulate in the mouth is the most common cause of inflammation and infection in the mouth. Infections can also lead to a thick discharge that activates the gag reflex; fungal infections, though uncommon, will generally cause a lot of nasal discharge. If you notice any nasal discharge, excessive drooling, or bad breath, your dog may be gagging due to an infection.

4. Smoke or Fume Inhalation

Severe smoke inhalation is most common in dogs that have been in a house fire but exposure to things like cleaning products, pool chemicals, varnishes, strong fragrances, aerosol sprays, and cigarette smoke can also be harmful for them. If your dog has inhaled a substance, it will travel through their nose, throat, windpipe and lungs. Depending on what has been inhaled this can result in mild irritation to chemical burns. Either way, the inflammation in the throat will lead to a sensitive gag reflex.

Image Credit: Christian Mueller, Shutterstock

5. Laryngeal Paralysis

The larynx or voice box is the organ in the throat that controls swallowing and vocalizations. It represents part of the upper airway and can be felt as a firm structure under your dog’s neck. Some dogs will develop a condition called laryngeal paralysis where the nerve that controls the muscles of the larynx no longer works. This occurs frequently in older large breed dogs, especially Labrador Retrievers. Laryngeal paralysis leads to gagging and other signs like noisy breathing, exercise intolerance, changes in bark, and coughing due to inhaled food. It can cause respiratory distress and in some cases surgery is needed to improve a dog’s quality of life.

6. Trauma

Trauma can cause an abnormal gag reflex in a few different ways. Damage to the larynx or trachea can cause air to enter abnormal spaces, and gagging can be one of the signs of a problem. If a blood vessel is ruptured in the area blood can also pool in areas in shouldn’t and trigger gagging. Finally, brain injuries can affect the control centers for gagging in the brain stem, causing gagging signals to arise from the brain without cause.

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7. Neurological Problems

Since gagging is controlled by the brainstem and nerves, diseases affecting these structures can lead to frequent and abnormal gagging. Infections, cancers, and specific diseases, like myasthenia gravis, a condition where an animal lacks enough of the neurotransmitter needed for movement, can all cause gagging. If your dog has neurological problems, they will probably have other signs of disease like behavioral changes, confusion, wobbly gait, or abnormal reflexes.

8. Cleft Palate

Cleft palate is a congenital problem that can be noted in newborn puppies. These pups have a defect in the hard and soft palate that creates a channel between the oral and nasal cavities. When they try to drink milk or eat, part of their meal enters the nasal passages which can result in food coming into the airway. The gag reflex then functions normally to try and protect the puppies but often food is inhaled anyway leading to further complications.

Image Credit: Hannah Carl, Shutterstock

9. Cancer

Cancer in the throat is not uncommon in dogs. Cancerous growths can arise from the tissues surrounding the throat, tongue, tonsils, or larynx. Growths that sit around the throat can stimulate the nerve cells, in the same way that a large chunk of food stuck there would, triggering a gag. Different cancers can also impact the neurological pathways that control the gag reflex leading to abnormalities.

When to See a Vet

You should see your vet if there is no obvious cause for your dog’s gagging in terms of something they have eaten. You should also have your dog examined if the gagging occurs frequently or doesn’t stop quickly. You can call your vet for advice about how urgent your dog’s condition is; however, there are some signs your pup will need to be seen at an emergency clinic.

Conclusion

Gagging is a normal, helpful reflex in mammals including our beloved dogs. If your pooch has been over enthusiastic with their eating their gag reflex may have just saved them from choking or aspiration pneumonia. However, gagging is not a common occurrence in normal dogs. If your dog is gagging frequently, or has an episode that doesn’t stop, there is an underlying cause that needs to be addressed. Many causes of gagging can be treated relatively easily or even cured however, the only way to know the best individual plan for your dog is to get them seen by your vet. We wish them a speedy recovery!

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The post Do Dogs Have a Gag Reflex? Our Vet Explains by Dr. Ashley Darby BVSc (Veterinarian) appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.

The post Can Police Dogs Smell Vapes? Vet-Verified Facts & Info by Misty Layne appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.

You already know that dogs have an incredible sense of smell; this is why they’re often used in police work for sniffing out drugs or bombs. Canine breeds working with the police usually have the best sense of smell among dog breeds, too. So, if you’re carrying a vape, you might wonder if a police dog can smell it.

The answer to that question is that they can, but in most cases, they’ll ignore it because it isn’t what they’re hunting for. Here’s what you should know about police dogs when carrying a vape.

What Are Vapes?

You’re probably familiar with vapes, but in case you are not, vapes are e-cigarettes. They are handheld devices that were designed as an alternative to smoking cigarettes wherein nicotine is released in the form of heated water vapor rather than smoke. Though their original purpose was to help wean people off cigarettes, that’s not often how they’re used today.

Vapes have experienced an increase in popularity over the past few years, especially with teens, as they’re less harmful than cigarettes and feature lots of fun flavors. However, this doesn’t mean vaping is completely harmless. Though vapes eliminate smoke and tar, they still contain chemicals that can cause issues with the lungs (plus, there’s the whole nicotine addiction that comes along with them).

Can Police Dogs Smell Vapes?

A police dog can smell vapes because they have an incredible sense of smell. Whether they’ll be interested in the vape or not depends, though.

The main reason this depends on is that police dogs are trained to scent out a handful of things. Most police dogs are trained to locate illegal substances, like cocaine, meth, or marijuana. However, nicotine isn’t illegal, so many canines aren’t taught to sniff that out, which means they’ll smell the vape and move past it because it isn’t what they want.

There are exceptions to this, though. Because vaping has taken off with kids still in school, some canines are taught to locate nicotine, and some schools invite these police dogs onto campus specifically to find vapes. So, if a dog has been trained to smell nicotine, they will absolutely smell and react to a vape.

The other reason a dog might react to smelling a vape is because not all vapes are used for only nicotine. Vapes can also be used for illegal substances, like marijuana. If a police dog trained to locate marijuana comes sniffing around and you’re vaping that, they’re going to find it.

So, dogs can smell vapes regardless of what they hold, but whether they react depends on what they’ve been trained to detect and what you’re vaping.

Image Credit: Africa Studio, Shutterstock

How Are Drug Dogs Trained?

How are drug dogs trained to learn the scents of certain substances and then indicate they’ve been found?

Well, it all starts with playtime. A potential drug dog is given a toy that has no scent on it. Once the dog has gotten used to playing with the toy and seeks it out constantly, the real training begins.

At this point, a handler will put the drug scent on the toys. The toy is hidden in different places, and the dog’s job is to hunt the toy down. Once they’ve found it, they get a play reward. Hiding these toys starts off easy but gradually becomes more difficult as the toy is hidden in places that are much harder to find. The dog is searching out the scent of the illegal substance but thinks they’re seeking out their toy.

Finally, a dog is taught to exhibit a certain behavior to signal they have found their toy. This could be sitting down, bowing, barking, etc. Once the dog has mastered this, they are able to locate the scent of the substance at any given time and then give the signal when they find it.

Can I Hide My Vape From a Police Dog?

You cannot. A police dog is going to smell a vape, whether that’s what they’re looking for or not. If you’re concerned about running into a police dog with your vape because nicotine isn’t allowed at your school or work or because you’re vaping a product with drugs, even leaving the vape at home may not work. The dog may still smell the odor of nicotine or drugs on you or your clothes.

Image Credit: haiberliu, Pixabay

Final Thoughts

Dogs have an incredible sense of smell, which is why they’re used so often in police work. Police dogs can sniff out any number of items, including bombs and illegal substances.

Sometimes, these dogs are also trained to locate nicotine, although that’s fairly rare since this substance is legal for adults. Just because a police dog isn’t trained to sniff out nicotine, though, doesn’t mean they won’t smell a vape; they’ll smell the vape, just like they do all the scents surrounding them. However, if that isn’t what they’re trying to find, they won’t react.

Since the dogs detect odors, they can smell the presence of drugs or nicotine even if you don’t have them on you. Just because you leave the vape at home won’t stop a dog from smelling its odor on you.

Featured Image Credit: Dmytro Tyshchenko, Shutterstock

The post Can Police Dogs Smell Vapes? Vet-Verified Facts & Info by Misty Layne appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.

The post My Dog Ate a Wasp: Our Vet Explains the Risks, Signs & Next Steps by Dr. Kim Podlecki DVM (Veterinarian) appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.

All of us are likely aware of people who have serious allergies to bees and/or wasps and become worried that the same thing can happen to our dog. Oftentimes we notice our dogs lying in the sun, minding their own business, only to be interrupted by a buzzing wasp around them. If your dog is anything like mine, they will also be bothered by the noise of a buzzing wasp and try to grab them in their mouth. Luckily for us, severe allergic reactions are rare in dogs from eating a wasp, though still possible. Most commonly, though, nothing will happen except some swelling from a potential sting.  It’s best to monitor your dog for any type of reaction, and contact a vet if a reaction occurs.

Risks of Your Dog Eating a Wasp

Potentially nothing. Sounds crazy right? But some dogs will have absolutely no reaction to eating a wasp and/or getting stung by a wasp. Other times your dog may be at risk for a severe anaphylactic reaction. This is a life-threatening situation that requires immediate medical care by a veterinarian. Anaphylaxis is rare, but possible. There is no way to know if your dog will suffer no reaction, anaphylaxis, or a mild allergic reaction (most common). Because there is no way to predict or prevent a reaction, we always recommend taking precautions and keeping your dog away from any areas with bees and/or wasps.

Image Credit: Bachkova Natalia, Shutterstock

Signs Your Dog Ate a Wasp

The most obvious could be that you physically watched your dog ingest a wasp. This is most common in a dog who loves to chase them, or who is lying on the porch or in the yard with a wasp or two buzzing around their face.

Other times, you may not witness your dog ingest the wasp but start to frantically paw at their mouth and/or face. This could happen immediately if the wasp stung your dog’s mouth as it was swallowed, or occur once an allergic reaction sets in. If your dog has an allergic reaction to a wasp, you will either notice it immediately (anaphylaxis), or up to a few hours later. Anaphylaxis is fairly rare in dogs, but will often cause your dog to immediately vomit, collapse, and develop difficulty breathing, pale gums, and severe weakness. Immediate veterinary care is needed if this happens.

More commonly we will see a mild allergic reaction develop hours later, most commonly as a swollen face, ears, muzzle, and/or hives over any part of the body. With the swelling and hives, your dog will also start to itch. You may notice them shaking their head, pawing at their face, or rubbing their face/head frantically on the ground or against furniture.

The 7 Steps to Take if Your Dog Ate a Wasp

1. First, Don’t Panic

As we mentioned above, nothing may happen if your dog eats a wasp. If something does, most commonly it will be a mild allergic reaction. Don’t panic if you notice your dog has eaten a wasp, or is chasing them. Stay calm so that your dog will also stay calm.

2. Do Not Attempt to Open Your Dog’s Mouth

If you actually see your dog snap at and catch a wasp, do not run to them and attempt to pry their mouth open. Not only will this freak your dog out, but you can seriously hurt them by forcing them to open their mouth. Chances are once the wasp is in, it’s already dead and/or swallowed and you will not be able to recover it.

Image Credit: Todorean-Gabriel, Shutterstock

3. Do Not Put Anything into Your Dog’s Mouth or Down Their Throat

There is absolutely no reason to do this. You may have read inaccurate information online about “absorbing” wasp toxin and/or coating your dog’s mouth to help with the irritation of a sting. But there is absolutely nothing that does this. Not only can you hurt your dog as we mentioned above, but if you force your dog to try and swallow something, they may actually choke or aspirate the liquid, potentially causing life-threatening complications.

4. Monitor for Anaphylaxis

We mentioned above that while rare, anaphylaxis can happen. If your dog is having an anaphylactic reaction to a wasp sting, you will know within a few minutes. Typically, your dog will vomit, sometimes have diarrhea as well, and then collapse. They will often not lose consciousness but suffer acute weakness, collapse down, start to have trouble breathing, and become pale. If you notice any of this, scoop your dog up, get them into the car and take them to your nearest emergency clinic.

5. Look for an Allergic Reaction

If your dog did not suffer anaphylaxis, they may be fine. Other times, an allergic reaction may set in minutes to hours after they eat a wasp. Watch for your dog shaking their head, itching and/or rubbing their face, swelling of any part of the face, or hives. Even if your dog ate the wasp, hives, redness, and swelling can occur anywhere on the body. Don’t panic if you notice this. Even with facial swelling, it’s not common for dogs’ throats to “swell shut”. You have time to collect your thoughts and get your dog appropriate treatment.

Image Credit: Todorean-Gabriel, Shutterstock

6. Contact Your Veterinarian, an Animal Poison Control Center, or a Telehealth Veterinarian

Unfortunately, I am unable to give you a dose of over-the-counter (OTC) medications that you may be able to give your dog. This is because in many states, it’s illegal for veterinarians to give medication dosages without first seeing the patient. However, I’m here to tell you that your veterinarian, if your dog is up to date on their vaccines and exam with them, or newer telehealth veterinarians, may be able to do this for you. Many dogs do perfectly fine with a few doses of OTC diphenhydramine if they are having a mild allergic reaction from a wasp. However, it’s always recommended to ask a veterinarian so that appropriate medications and dosages can be recommended based on your dog’s health and current medications.

7. Always Seek Care If You’re Concerned

Any dog having an anaphylactic reaction needs immediate veterinary care. If your dog is acting fairly normal, or only having a mild allergic reaction, it’s still OK to seek care if you are concerned. Some dogs will do better if they see a veterinarian and receive injectable antihistamines versus taking them by mouth. It’s never wrong to seek out veterinary care even if it’s just to help you sleep better at night.

Image Credit: sirtravelalot, Shutterstock

Conclusion

Eating a wasp is fairly common, especially in the summertime. Many dogs will get bit when they are just lying outside minding their own business, while others will actively try to catch the wasp in their mouths, ultimately swallowing them. Some dogs will have absolutely no reaction to swallowing a wasp. Others may develop mild allergic reactions up to hours later, resulting in mild swelling, redness, and hives of the skin. Rarely anaphylaxis will occur, but it is possible. If your dog vomits, collapses, becomes pale, or has any trouble breathing, get them to the nearest veterinarian as soon as possible. If your dog is only having a mild reaction, then you may be able to safely give an OTC dose of diphenhydramine based on your veterinarian’s dosage recommendations.

Featured Image Credit: Faisal.k, Shutterstock

The post My Dog Ate a Wasp: Our Vet Explains the Risks, Signs & Next Steps by Dr. Kim Podlecki DVM (Veterinarian) appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.

The post How Do Dogs Fall Asleep So Fast? Exploring the Canine’s Sleep Cycle by Chantelle Fowler appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.

Dogs have a plethora of skills and talents, but their ability to fall asleep in seconds flat is truly jealousy-inducing. How is it that your pup can nod off into slumber the moment their bodies settle in for a nap?

Their unique sleep cycles and lifestyle factors can influence how quickly dogs can fall asleep. Read on to learn more.

How Do Dogs Fall Asleep So Fast?

1. Unique Sleep Cycles

Dogs sleep a lot, but their sleep cycles are different from ours. They don’t typically crawl into bed for the night at 10 pm and stay asleep until 8 a.m. like we do. Instead, their sleep hours are spread throughout the day in shorter intervals, and as such, they naturally spend a shorter amount of time in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep.

This fragmented sleep pattern may be partly why they’re able to fall asleep in record time. While they may fall asleep fast, they typically sleep much lighter than we do.

Image Credit: sherwood, Shutterstock

2. An Exhausting Day

Dogs are very active animals, so it only makes sense that by the time they go for a nap, their bodies are exhausted and ready to catch some ZZs. Dogs need to be able to recharge their batteries quickly, so they’ve evolved to fall asleep fast so they can wake up and perform immediately.

Have you ever noticed that your dog is game for pretty much anything at any time of the day? If you ask them if they want to go for a walk at 1 a.m., they’ll be ready and raring to go. This is due to their natural ability to wake up and instantly be prepared to perform.

3. An Unburdened Lifestyle

When we go to sleep at night, we’re burdened with the thoughts of our human egos. We think about what we have to do the next day, the piles of work we have waiting for us at the office, upcoming trips, our health, and other things that weigh heavily on us.

Dogs don’t lie in bed and think about the logistics of life. They don’t worry about how they’ll run the kids to their extracurricular activities while also juggling the demands of their boss and keeping up with the housework.

Image Credit: Lazy_Bear, Shutterstock

A Dog’s Sleep Pattern

While dogs’ sleep patterns are similar to humans, there are some key differences. Let’s examine the two primary canine sleep cycles.

Stage One

When they first fall asleep, dogs enter slow-wave sleep (SWS), which is sometimes also called non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. During this phase, electrical brain activity changes as the body relaxes into restorative rest.

You’ll know your pup is in SWS when they’re breathing deeply and rhythmically. This is a light sleep, and your pet will wake easily if there are unexpected sounds.

Stage Two

Stage two, also known as rapid eye movement (REM), is a deeper sleep that generally occurs after ten minutes of NREM.

You’ll know your pup has entered REM when they’re twitching, whining, or barking lightly. This is a deeper sleep, and it will be harder to wake up your pup while they’re in this stage.

Due to their interrupted sleep pattern, dogs typically only spend around 10% of their sleeping time in REM. By contrast, humans spend 20 to 25% of their sleep in this phase.

Image Credit: Caroline Hendrickson, Shutterstock

Why Do Dogs Sleep So Much?

While all pups need a lot of sleep, this is especially true when they’re puppies. Young pups expend an immeasurable amount of energy growing and exploring their new and exciting world and may sleep up to 20 hours daily until they’re around 3 months old.

Adult dogs don’t always have quite the same exuberance for exploration, but they’ll still sleep anywhere between 10 and 16 hours per day. Senior dogs, much like their human counterparts, may revert to a puppy-like sleep schedule as they age.

However, dogs don’t log all their ZZs in one go like we do. They spread their sleep hours throughout the day, napping here and there whenever they have time or see fit. Therefore, dogs make up for receiving less REM sleep and increased interruptions by sleeping more.

Final Thoughts

Dogs can fall asleep faster than you due to their natural sleep cycles, active lifestyle, and unburdened existence. You may toss and turn all night because you’re thinking about paying bills and meeting work deadlines while your pup happily nods off at the drop of a hat.

Try not to be too envious of your dog’s ability to fall asleep quickly, though. While they may drift off into dreamland faster than you, the quality of their sleep will be less than yours.

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The post How Do Dogs Fall Asleep So Fast? Exploring the Canine’s Sleep Cycle by Chantelle Fowler appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.

The post How Old Is 9 in Dog Years? Vet-Approved Guide to Each Size of Dog by Jessica Kim appeared first on Dogster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren’t considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Dogster.com.

The vast majority of people will equate 1 year of human life to 7 years of life for dogs, but it’s actually a little more complex than that. Other factors like breed and size affect a dog’s lifespan, and a 9-year-old dog can be between 52 and 71 years old depending on their size.

Source: Almanac.com

How to Calculate Dog Years to Human Years

Calculating dog years to human years isn’t as simple as multiplying 7 years to every 1 human year. This is because different factors affect how dogs age, such as the dog’s breed, size, and lifestyle.

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the process of finding an accurate comparison of dog years to human years must include more considerations. Most dogs will reach the equivalent of a 15-year-old human by their first year of life. After they reach 2 years old, dogs will gain roughly 9 additional human years, making them about 24 years old in human years. After that, every human year will equal about 5 years for small to large dogs, more for giant breeds. The larger the dog, the more quickly those years will accumulate.1

It’s also worth noting that ongoing research is looking into the correlation between a dog’s size and weight and their longevity. Smaller dogs tend to have longer lifespans than larger dogs, but more research is needed to locate the actual cause that influences different lifespans between them.

Image Credit: Hollysdogs, Shutterstock

What’s the Science Behind Dog vs. Human Years?

While it’s regarded as common knowledge that 1 human year equals 7 dog years, there’s actually no concrete scientific research that supports this belief. It’s most likely that this belief stems from comparing the human average lifespan of 70 years with the canine average life span of 10 years. However, with the changes in average lifespans in both humans and dogs, it’s safe to say that the 7:1 ratio is a huge generalization.

Ongoing research is aimed towards understanding why there are significant differences in the lifespans of small and large dogs. One research study from the University of Gottingen in Germany has found that every increase of 4.4 pounds in a dog will reduce their life expectancy by 1 month.2

The Dog Aging Project was established to study aging in dogs and find ways to promote healthy aging. It currently has ongoing studies that research how biological and environmental factors affect a dog’s lifespan.3

The Life Stages of a Dog

While we may not know the exact age of our dog in human years, we can still know how to take good care of them when we understand a dog’s life stages. Dogs generally go through six life stages:

Puppyhood generally lasts for 6 months to 2 years, depending on the breed of the dog. Larger breeds tend to mature a little slower and may take 2 years to reach young adulthood. The care for puppies heavily focuses on healthy growth and development. Puppies must have their specific nutritional needs met consistently to prevent malnutrition and health complications. They also require healthy amounts of physical exercise, socialization, and mental stimulation.

Dogs enter into young adulthood as they transition from puppyhood to adulthood. Dogs are usually around 6 to 18 months old at this life stage. They reach sexual maturity, but they’re not fully adults yet and may continue to experience growth and developmental changes.

Dogs spend a significant amount of their lives in adulthood, which can begin between the first and second years of their life. They start to become middle-aged at around 5 to 7 years old. Again, the number of years will depend on your dog’s size and breed.

Dogs are considered to be senior dogs when they reach the last quarter of their life expectancy. They remain in seniorhood until they surpass their average life span. After that, they’re regarded as geriatric dogs.

Image Credit: SeaRick1, Shutterstock

Life Span by Breed Size

Source: American Kennel Club

Key Factors That Affect the Dog’s Aging Process

As we’ve mentioned before, a dog’s aging process is affected by their size and breed. Purebred dogs have more well-documented life expectancies than mixed-breed dogs, and smaller dogs have longer average lifespans than bigger dogs.

A dog’s breed also affects their lifespan because different purebred dogs are predisposed to specific health issues. Some of these health issues can be serious and life-threatening. For example, Golden Retrievers and German Shepherds are at higher risk of developing cancer as they age.

While genetics play a role in a dog’s life expectancy, lifestyle also affects healthy aging. Dogs that eat a nutritious diet and get appropriate amounts of exercise and mental stimulation are less likely to get sick and develop chronic health issues like diabetes. Dogs that live in stable and happy homes also tend to experience less stress, and caring for a dog’s mental and emotional well-being also promotes healthy aging.

Image Credit: Peter Mayer 67, Shutterstock

Conclusion

If you’re interested in calculating your dog’s age in human years, it’s best to consider your dog’s age and breed rather than just multiplying their years of life by 7. Having an accurate estimate of your dog’s age can help immensely when caring for your dog. You’ll feel more prepared with providing age-related care for each life stage and know what health concerns to look out for as your dog ages.

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