Dog to human years: Age calculator
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Want to insure that your dog gets the best care regardless of its age? A comprehensive pet insurance plan is the best way to do just that!
A dog has, on average, a life expectancy of between 12 and 15 years. This varies depending on the dog's size, breed, lifestyle, general health, etc.
But have you ever tried to figure out how old your dog is in human years?
Our dog years to human years calculator above lets you find out in just seconds.
How old is my dog in human years?
It's very simple to convert dog years to human years. Just use our dog years calculator above and get your answer in no time.
Firstly, you select the category your dog comes under, and then our calculator instantly converts your dog's age into human years.
In order to get a rough estimate of how old your dog is in human years, take into account that a dog usually ages in the following pattern:
- 15 years for the first year after their birthday
- 6 years for the second year
- 4 years for each addition year
Good to know
Another commonly accepted rule for performing a quick dog to human age calculation is to multiply your dog's age by 7. However, this is a rough calculation that does not take into account any criteria specific to the dog (breed, size, lifestyle, etc.).
How long do dogs live?
An average dog has a life expectancy of about 12 to 15 years. However, several different criteria come into play, in particular:
- Size
- Breed / Pedigree
- Lifestyle
- General state of health
Good to know
Smaller dog breeds tend to live longer on average than bigger dogs, as you will see in the dog age chart below. A poodle, for example, will live longer than a Great Dane.
The best way to improve your pet's life expectancy is to get a pet insurance and make sure any health issue is covered. The following insurers offer the best policies on the market:
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Dog age chart
Dogs age at a faster rate than humans, therefore, understanding their age in human years can help us offer better care for them. The lifespan also varies based on the breed. Smaller dog breeds tend to have longer lifespans than larger breeds.
A a small breed dog might live to be around 15-20 years old, while a large breed dog may have a shorter lifespan of around 8-12 years. Use the free dog age calculator on the top of this page to know how old your dog is in human years.
Good to know
For example, if you have a Chihuahua that weighs around 3kg and is 6 years old, using our dog age calculator by breed, you could find out that your pet is actually 44 years in human years. But if you have a Great Dane weighing 48kg and is 6 years old too, your dog is 58 years in human years.
Finally, the age and lifespan might vary based on the quality of life, the pre-existing conditions they are born with, and more.
The table below gives you an indication of your dog's age in human years:
| Dog Years | Small dog (< than 15 kg) | Medium dog (15 to 40 kg) | Large dog (> than 40 kg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 months | 15 years | 10 years | 8 years |
| 1 year | 20 years | 18 years | 16 years |
| 2 years | 28 years | 27 years | 22 years |
| 3 years | 32 years | 33 years | 31 years |
| 4 years | 36 years | 39 years | 40 years |
| 5 years | 40 years | 45 years | 49 years |
| 6 years | 44 years | 51 years | 58 years |
| 7 years | 48 years | 57 years | 67 years |
| 8 years | 52 years | 63 years | 76 years |
| 9 years | 56 years | 69 years | 85 years |
| 10 years | 60 years | 75 years | 96 years |
| 11 years | 64 years | 80 years | 105 years |
| 12 years | 68 years | 85 years | 112 years |
| 13 years | 72 years | 90 years | 120 years |
| 14 years | 76 years | 96 years | - |
| 15 years | 80 years | 102 years | - |
At what age is a dog a senior?
Now that you know how to calculate dog to human years, you're probably wondering, "But at what age is a dog a senior?" Well, it depends!
Dogs age differently depending on their size, with larger breeds ageing more quickly than smaller breeds. For instance, small breeds like poodles are considered seniors around 10-12 years old, while medium breeds like border collies around 8-9 years old. At the same time, the large/giant breeds like Great Danes are considered senior dogs at just around 6-7 years old. For mixed breeds, the senior age also varies from one dog to another, averaging though around 9 years and 4 months.
But how do you tell if your dog is ageing? There are a few signs that could be an indication that your dog is ageing.
For example
For example, slowing down could be attributed to the dog ageing. It could typically be a sign of joint pain that is commonly experienced by older dogs.
There are other signs that you could observe commonly in senior dogs:
- muscle loss,
- your dog's weight changes,
- behavioural shifts related to dementia,
- gum disease among others.
So if you do happen to observe any of these signs, it would be advisable to consult your veterinarian and discussing appropriate measures.
Some of these treatments might be expensive so it's best to have a pet insurance if you haven't got one already. You could use our comparator below to get pet insurance quotes in seconds.
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At what age does a dog stop growing?
The growth rate and when dogs stop growing can vary depending on factors such as breed, age, and health. Generally, dogs complete their growth between 24 weeks to 24 months of age.
Small breeds tend to stop growing as early as 6 to 8 months, while medium-sized dogs typically stop around 12 months. Large breeds may continue growing until they reach 12 to 24 months.
Male dogs often tend to be larger and taller than females and have a slightly longer growth period. It's important to remember that breed size is not the sole determining factor for growth.
Genetics, including the size of the parents, as well as external factors like nutrition, lifestyle, and age at neutering, can influence a dog's growth patterns. Taking these factors into account is crucial when monitoring your dog's growth.
How do I help my dog live longer?
Veterinary medicine has evolved significantly in recent years. Thanks to the advancements, more and more dogs are living longer.
However, you can also, on your part, extend the life expectancy of your dog by making simple changes. Like humans, dogs also need a healthy lifestyle, and in particular:
- A balanced diet adapted to your pet (avoiding diabetes, obesity etc.)
- Daily physical activity (walking)
- Regular and appropriate care (vaccinations, sterilisation, etc.)
Expert advice
Note that neutering and spaying can prevent cancers and extend the life of your pet.
What is the best age to neuter or spay a dog?
When to neuter your male dog or when to spay your female dog is determined based on several factors like breed, lifestyle and health of the pet.
However, more commonly, for small breed dogs, it is typically recommended to spay females before their first heat (around 5 to 6 months) and neuter males at 6 months of age.
Medium breed dogs are ideally recommended to be spayed before their first heat and neutered by 6 months. Large and giant breed dogs benefit from waiting until their growth stops, typically between 12 and 24 months, to neuter.
Factors such as behavioral issues, age, sex, breed, and temperament should be considered. It's important to consult with your veterinarian to determine the optimal timing for spaying or neutering your dog, ensuring their health and well-being.
The cumulative cost of medicine, preventive treatments and other procedures like spaying and neutering for your dog can be high. Overall, the cost of owning a dog can be quite expensive without the best pet insurance. The table below will give you an estimated cost of the expenses to be expected according to the care items:
| Dog Medicine Fee | Cost |
|---|---|
| Standard consultation | $50 |
| Specific consultation | $70 |
| Anesthesia | $60 |
| Vaccination | Between $50 and $120 |
| Sterilisation | Between $140 and $250 |
| Surgeries | Between $220 and $1,300 |
| X-rays | Between $50 and $100 |
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