Ever wonder why your canine friend has a short lifespan? You bring your new pup home and fall in love with his funny antics and loyal personality, but then you start wondering, how come dogs don’t live long?
Well, various factors affect the lifespan of dogs. We can control some of these factors, such as medical care and training. However, factors such as breed genetics are out of our control.
In this post, we’ll explain why dogs have shorter lifespans than humans. We’ll also provide some tips on how to make your pup live longer.
Why Dogs Don’t Live Long?
Scientists have been studying the life expectancy of animals for decades. It turns out there’s one rule in the animal kingdom: the larger you are, the longer you live.
This concept is highly related to metabolic rate, as scientists believe that small animals have fast metabolic rates, so they run out of energy sooner and die.
On the other hand, larger animal species have slow metabolic rates, so they live longer. That’s why elephants can live up to 70 years, while small rodents such as mice don’t make it beyond 18 months.
That being said, dogs have an average life span of 10 to 13 years, but these numbers vary depending on many factors.
1. Size Matters
While the size theory may seem accurate, there are some exceptions. For instance, parrots are small animals, but they can live up to more than 80 years!
Dogs are another exception to the size theory. Giant breeds tend to live shorter than their small relatives. For example, a giant Saint Bernard has an average life expectancy of 8-9 years, while a tiny chihuahua has an average life span of 12-14 years.
Studies about the relationship between size and lifespan in dogs showed that larger breeds die younger because they age quickly.
They grow from puppies to adults much faster than smaller dogs, which puts a massive strain on their physiological processes, and so they run out of energy sooner and eventually die.
2. Breeding Practices
Selective breeding is another reason dogs have a shorter life span than humans. The point behind selective breeding is to produce new offspring with specific physical characteristics and temperaments.
However, this practice often leads to the propagation of health issues. That’s because genetic defects are passed down through generations, lowering the lifespan of bred dogs.
3. Lifestyle
Just like humans, dog morbidity rates are highly connected to different lifestyles. Factors such as predators, competition for food, and environmental conditions play a huge role in determining the life expectancy of dogs and other animals.
For example, giant animals like whales and elephants are less likely to be hunted by larger predators, so they live for a long time. In contrast, small rodents, such as mice, are always at risk of death because of predators or accidents.
The same applies to dogs. A working dog, like a sheepdog, is more likely to die in accidents than a toy breed, such as a Chihuahua.
Other lifestyle factors that affect the life span of dogs are:
- Diet
- Physical exercise
- Mental stimulation
- Safety precautions
- Healthcare
- Home environment
Can a Dog Live 20 Years?
As we mentioned, dogs have an average life span of 10 to 13 years. Still, a dog can live up to 20 years and more, but this is quite exceptional.
There are some factors that control how soon your pooch blows his last birthday candles:
1. Genetics
A dog’s lifespan depends greatly on the breed. For instance, small breeds like Chihuahuas, Beagles, and Yorkshire Terriers can live long and sometimes reach their 20s.
On the other hand, large breeds like French Mastiffs and Great Danes have an average life span of eight to 10 years.
On top of that, genetics play a huge role in your dog’s overall health as the inherited genes can make your dog prone to certain diseases, shortening their lifespan.
2. Diet and Exercise
As a dog owner, you should understand that nutrition and exercise are significant factors that affect your dog’s longevity.
Providing your pooch with a proper diet that’s suitable for their age, weight, and size can help them stay healthier and live a longer life.
Similarly, giving your dog adequate exercise and playtime is crucial to enhance their mood; a loving environment can always contribute to a longer life in dogs.
3. Care
Taking care of your pooch goes a long way in increasing their lifespan. For example, vaccinating your dog against infectious diseases is a good proactive measure that increases their chances of living longer.
Similarly, staying up-to-date with the latest parasite prevention techniques positively impacts your dog’s life span and overall health.
Is It Possible to Make Dogs Live Longer?
While we can’t control factors like genetics, there are plenty of measures we can take to make our dogs live longer. Most of these measures are proactive; they’re about preventing your pup from catching life-threatening diseases.
Here are some tips to help your dog live longer:
1. Feed Them a Balanced, Healthy Diet
A high-quality diet is vital to extend your dog’s life span and improve their overall health. That’s why you should ensure you feed your dog a balanced diet that includes the essential minerals, vitamins, and nutrients so they stay happy and healthy.
It’s worth noting that a healthy diet isn’t all about what you feed your pup; it’s about how much you feed them, too. Some studies have shown that dogs on a calorie-deficit diet (eating around 25% less than normal) are likely to live longer and are overall healthier than dogs eating more.
We’re not saying you should deprive your dog of his favorite food, but restricting their caloric intake and limiting treats can be an efficient way to make them live longer.
That’s because overweight and obese dogs often suffer from chronic conditions such as joint problems and heart disease, so they have shorter life spans than dogs who eat healthy.
You might want to read our post Frozen Banana for Teething Puppy: Is it OK?
2. Regular Exercise
Since dogs are full of energy, they must engage in physical activity to release their energy and reduce stress and anxiety.
In addition to a healthy diet, exercise helps dogs maintain a balanced weight and keeps their muscles, heart, and lungs strong and healthy, thus prolonging their life span.
On top of that, it’s proven that exercise stimulates the release of endorphins, which reduce stress and promote a balanced mood in dogs.
But be careful not to over-exercise your pup! Know your dog’s limits and note that as they get older, they won’t be as athletic as they once were.
3. Mental Stimulation
Just like humans, dogs’ cognitive functions decline as they age. That’s why providing your dogs with daily mental stimulation is crucial to keep their mind sharp and prolong their life span.
Enriching your dog’s environment with puzzle toys and interactive games is an excellent way to keep them active and engaged.
4. Regular Vet Visits
Our canine friends age much faster than we do, so it’s vital to be proactive and opt for routine vet visits to catch any potential health issues as soon as possible.
Even if you think your pup is healthy, you must take them to the vet at least once a year. Once they age, double the visits up to 6 months to ensure your dog stays healthy and lives longer.
How Long Did Dogs Live 100 Years Ago?
It’s hard to tell exactly the life span of dogs 100 years ago. However, it’s believed that dogs used to live for around 7 to 9 years on average in the early 1990s, which is significantly less than the life expectancy of modern dogs.
But why?
The increase in dogs’ life span throughout decades is related to the advancements in nutrition and veterinary medicine, as well as the changes in environment and living conditions.
For example, 100 years ago, dogs were typically bred for working purposes, so they were exposed to harsh conditions such as the absence of food and water and interaction with wild predators.
But it’s worth noting that most dog breeds we know today didn’t exist 100 years ago. So, it’s difficult to compare the lifespans of newer breeds.
What Is the Oldest Dog?
According to Guinness World Records, the oldest dog ever recorded is Bobi, a Portuguese dog who celebrated his 31st birthday on 11 May 2023. Previously, an Australian dog named Bluey held the title as he lived for 29 years and five months.
Final Words
How come dogs don’t live long? Several reasons are to consider, such as selective breeding, size, and lifestyle.
We know it seems unfair that we must say goodbye to our canine friends at some point, but we have to do our best to make them live as long as possible while staying happy and healthy.
