Do 7 Dog Years Really Equal 1 Human Year?

We have all heard it repeated many times. We all know the saying. But what is the truth behind the old adage that seven human years is equal to one dog year? Unfortunately, there’s no solid rule on this supposed age ratio. To date, there isn’t even really any accurate scientific data on this topic.

One of the problems with confirming this well-known formula via scientific methods is that every breed of dog can age and mature differently. When comparing dog years to human years, nutrition, weight, genetics, and environmental factors all come into play. It must also be taken into consideration that the one to seven ratio is likely to be inaccurate at the early and late stages of life. The formula just does not work out right for very old or very young dogs.

For example, a 1-year-old dog may have reached puberty by canine standards but this does not really correlate to a 7-year-old human girl or boy. So, to simplify, one dog year can be considered equivalent to seven human years in the “middle-aged” years only.

Here is a guide to comparing the age range of the two species:

- Year 1 of a puppy’s life is equivalent to a human teenager (approximately a 13 years old)
- Year 2 for a pet is equivalent to a young adult (approximately a 22 year old)
- Each year after that is equivalent to approximately four human years.

The graph below shows a more accurate representation of dog years to human years based on the weight of your pup.

The average lifespan of a dog seems to vary according to their adult size, which is usually a factor of breed. Giant dog breeds often live only 7 to 8 years, medium and large size dogs typically live 10 to 13 years, small dogs often live between 15 to 16 years . Giant breeds also tend to mature slightly at an older age than smaller breed. They become “adult” at around two years old compared to around 15 to 18 months for other breeds.

The notion of a human year being equivalent to seven dog years is really a misconception. There is no real solid rule that can apply to all breeds and sizes when it comes to comparing dog years with human ones. Many factors must be considered and a more adaptable scale is needed to account for different maturity rates between our two species.

-Russ Barker

Russ Barker has the perfect last name to work in the pet industry. He is a rising star at DogTagArt.com, a company whose passion and goal is making sure as many pets as possible are protected with pet ID tags. In order to assure a safe return when lost, they offer beautiful full-color custom dog tags with over 500 designs and the ability to create a unique tag using your own photos or artwork.

5 Quick Steps to Slim Down those Overweight Dogs or that Obese Cat

Seasonal weight gain is a time honored tradition over the holidays for many of us but for our pets it can be serious business. With all the great food and family gatherings, it is not uncommon to put on a few extra pounds (to keep warm during the winter months… of course). When things start to warm up a bit, people have the option to go to the gym or hop on the treadmill, but our pets rarely go off on their own accord to get proper exercise. Statistically speaking, about 40% of dogs in the US are considered overweight dogs, and pet owners find it difficult to encourage their pets to lose weight. We have collected 5 quick and easy steps to get your cat on the right track to shedding those holiday pounds:

Set a weight goal and deadline.
Organization and follow through are the keys to any successful attempt at weight loss. This is important for pets too. First decide how much your obese cat needs to lose in order to be a sleak kitty. Then pick a reasonable deadline in which to lose that extra weight. This will help you and your furry friend stay focused.

Cut down or cut out treats for a while.
While your pet is attempting to shed a couple pounds it is a good idea to cut way down or stop giving them fatty treats. They might be pretty irritated and whiny at first, but this is a great way to get down to and maintain a healthy weight. It can require a little tough love, but your overweight dogs will benefit from a more nutritionally balanced diet.

Increase activity and exercise time.
Add a couple blocks to your walk or go a little further down the road. Extended walks and play times will be good exercise for you and your pets. There are indoor dog walking facilities in many towns and cities if you live in a cold climate. During the spring and summer months you can visit your local outdoor park or hike your favorite trail. You can try bringing out the cat toys or playing chase with an obese cat to get them moving.

Make play-time a form of praise.
Since you are cutting down on treats anyway, try to turn play time into a reward for doing well. Pets love the one-on-one attention they receive when you take the time to play a little while. Even throwing their favorite toy around the house for 15 minutes can burn a lot of calories and strengthen the bond between owner and pet. To your overweight dogs, play-time is fun and not a chore.

Switch to a dietary, low fat/high fiber feeding schedule.
First thing first, when changing your pet’s diet it is very important to change the food gradually each day over about a week. You will be looking for a more nutritional food then that you use currently. The ones that are low in fat and high in fiber can provide the best results. There are several brands that provide their own line of “dietary” products for overweight dogs or an obese cat. Simply ask you veterinarian's advice if you are unsure about which brand or type of pet food to buy.

The holidays are a great time of celebration for both pet owners and their pals. It is important to bounce back and stay healthy for the rest of the year. It will help you enjoy many more holidays to come!

-Russ Barker

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Are Grapes Bad for Dogs? A Pet Health Guide

With the holidays upon us, many of our homes are filled with delicious foods and baked goods. Generally the fruit and vegetable group is considered to be a safe for ingestion by pets. This is not always the case however. Certain foods in this group can be hazardous and even toxic to your much loved dogs. Many holiday foods, such as cookies and fruitcakes, include grapes or raisins as an ingredient. So are grapes bad for dogs? Statistics from the Pet Poison Helpline indicate that grapes and raisins have been known to cause acute kidney failure in dogs that have eaten the fruit in certain amounts.

During kidney failure, a pet’s urine production decreases. They are unable to filter toxins out of their system. To date, the reason for this kidney failure and the exact amount of grapes ingested to cause problems is unknown, so all instances of ingestion have the potential to be very serious. For smaller dogs, as little as four grapes or raisins can affect your furry friend adversely.

Fungus or bacteria that grow on grapes could be the cause of this problem. Pesticides or fertilizers used in the growing process have also been named as culprits for the onset of kidney failure. Dogs have reacted to both commercially available and home-grown grapes, which means that whether they are procured from your local grocer, or fresh from the vine in your backyard, all grapes are potentially hazardous to your pet. Are grapes bad for dogs? They are definitely not good.

How to Prevent Grape Poisoning

Dog owners should try not to leave grapes and raisins, or foods containing either, on table or counter tops or any other location where a pet can sneak one when they’re not looking. You should also avoid giving your pet cookies or snacks that contain raisins. So no chocolate or yogurt-covered raisins as treats. It’s also very crucial that parents teach their children about what types of foods are not okay to feed the family dog.

Problem Symptoms

Dogs that have gotten their paws on grapes have various symptoms, including diarrhea, shivers, lethargy, decreased appetite, abdominal pain, and muscle weakness. An accurate diagnose of kidney failure must be given by a veterinarian will have to take a blood and urine sample from your pet.
In any instance where your pet shows signs of unusual behavior or any of the symptoms listed above, call your veterinarian without delay. The earlier the condition is recognized and the proper treatment is started, the better your pet pal will fair.

Treating Grape Ingestion

If your pet has only recently ingested grapes or raisins, your veterinarian may induce vomiting in and administer an activated charcoal to soak up extra toxins in your dog’s body. If more time has passed, aggressive treatment, such as intravenous fluids and medications, may be required to aid your pet’s kidney functions.

So the answer to the question Are grapes bad for dogs? is quite clear. They are not and if your pet eats some please seek veterinary advise as soon as possible.

-Russ Barker

Do you know about any other foods that can harm your pets? Let us know below.