Scientists have identified the "senior" age for dogs, revealing when various breeds begin to age.

ONCE UPON A TIME, THERE WAS A DOG...

When do dogs reach old age? It might seem that the answer is simple if we refer to the famous cartoon "Once Upon a Time, There Was a Dog". It states: "The dog served faithfully, but then grew old - his sense of smell faded, his eyesight dimmed, and his legs felt foreign." However, scientists don't watch cartoons and often get things mixed up. For instance, the World Health Organization extended the boundaries of youth to 44 years, while postponing the onset of old age to 75.

Dog life is an even more complex matter. You can't ask Sharik if his legs hurt or if his tail is falling off. Nevertheless, an international team of researchers led by Kerry Westergate from the University of Liverpool found a solution. They examined veterinary clinic records and, based on medical histories, tried to determine the threshold at which mutts enter old age.

GOODBYE, DOGGY YOUTH!

Previously, a dog's life was divided into four stages: puppy, adult dog, elderly, and old. It was believed that larger dogs start aging approximately five years earlier than smaller ones. The "retirement" age was intuitively set around 9 years. From this point onward, owners expected to see various "age-related" issues in their pets. However, practice shows that pet owners might not recognize the significance of different symptoms. By the age of 9, each mutt typically has at least one age-related disease. Therefore, keeping an eye on your pet's health should begin earlier. Consequently, researchers decided to develop a new approach based on studying the medical records of 832 male and female dogs classified as "old" by veterinarians based on clinical tests.

By the age of 9, every dog typically has at least one age-related disease.

Photo: Shutterstock.

It turned out that a dog's youth ends at around 7.25 years. Until this age, age-related diseases are almost nonexistent. Therefore, scientists assert that this age should be the "cut-off point" - once Sharik surpasses it, take him for a preventive check-up. However, it is essential to consider that dogs of different breeds mature at different rates (see COMPARISON).

COMPARISON

When does old age begin for dogs of different breeds?

Cocker Spaniel - 11.7

Labrador Retriever - 12.2 years

Border Collie - 12.7

Mixed Breeds - 13.2 years

Jack Russell Terrier - 14.1

The five most common health issues among "seniors"

1. Overweight or underweight - 35%

2. Musculoskeletal problems (limited mobility) - 33.4% of pets.

3. Dental and gum diseases - 30.5%.

4. Skin conditions - 28.2%

5. Digestive issues - 22.5%