Exploring the Truth Behind the “One Dog Year Equals Seven Human Years” Myth

We’ve all heard it before: when it comes to a dog’s lifespan, one year equals 7 human years. But is this myth about dog years true? The team at Beverly Hills Veterinary Associates takes a closer look at the popular myth. 

How Old Are Dogs in Human Years? 

By the time they’re one year old, all dogs are 15 years old in human years, according to the American Animal Hospital Association. At their second birthday, dogs are physiologically about 24 years old in human years. 

If we followed the popular 7-year myth, dogs would be just 14 years old in human years by the end of their second actual year. But they’re actually much older—10 years older, in fact! 

Each year thereafter, dogs age at different rates based on breed, size, and weight. 

Here’s a general overview of what this looks like based on a dog’s weight, with human years in bold:

• 20 pounds or less:
  • 3 years: 28 
  • 5 years: 36 
  • 7 years: 44 
• 21-50 pounds:
  • 3 years: 28 
  • 5 years: 37 
  • 7 years: 47 
• 51-90 pounds:
  • 3 years: 30 
  • 5 years: 40
  • 7 years: 50 
• 90 pounds or more:
  • 3 years: 32
  • 5 years: 42
  • 7 years: 56 

Larger dog breeds age faster than smaller ones, which makes sense given their shorter average lifespan. By age 7 years in dog years, 90-pound pups are 56 in human years compared to 20-pound dogs’ 44. The difference only grows from there.

By the time your 90-pound dog is 13 in dog years, she’s 101 years old in human years. Your 20-pound dog, on the other hand, is a spritely 68 in human years at 13 in dog years.

Why Dog Years vs. Human Years Matter

Finding out how old your dog is in human years is fun, but it’s also important for your canine’s preventive care. 

Depending on how old she is, your furry friend will benefit from various types of wellness care to help make sure she ages comfortably.  

Dogs in the 15-36 age range need basic preventive care, like a yearly chemistry panel, complete blood count, and urinalysis. Depending on your dog’s overall size, she may start needing more intensive wellness care between the ages of 37 and 42. This age is when procedures like thyroid, blood pressure, and infectious disease testing become important, too.

Once your pup hits the 66-78 range, she may be considered a geriatric canine in need of additional care and testing, such as electrocardiograms to monitor heart health. 

Your veterinarian will guide you through the appropriate care for your specific dog as she graduates from puppyhood to adulthood and beyond. 

Aging With Grace 

The whole one-dog-year-equals-7-human-years thing may be a myth, but it’s true that dogs age faster than we do. At Beverly Hills Veterinary Associates, our caring team is here to help you and your dog navigate the golden years. Reach out to us at 248-646-5655 to discuss your pet’s aging needs or to schedule an appointment.