Areas especially affected include the hair around the muzzle and eyes. Like humans, dog hair will usually begin to gray with age. The development of gray in their coat is a third way to estimate how old a dog is. If you suspect a cataract or are concerned about your dog’s vision, consult your veterinarian. Some breeds are more predisposed to cataracts than others, and cataracts can also develop secondary to another condition. Cataracts are generally milky white in appearance, and can profoundly affect vision. ![]() Note that lenticular sclerosis is not the same as cataracts, which can impair vision. They are a sign of lenticular sclerosis, an age-related phenomenon that causes the lens to become diffusely hazy or opaque, though it only minimally affects vision. How to tell a dog’s age by their eyesĬloudy pupils are another indicator of a dog’s age. To tell how old your dog is using their body shape, run your hands down your dog’s back on either side of the spine and see if you notice any of these indicators of age. An example of slight muscle wasting is shown above. Mild muscle wasting, which will lead to a more prominent spine and sometimes a sway-backed appearance, is also indicative of a senior dog. With age, fat pads usually develop right over your dog’s lower back or lumbar area. How to tell a dog’s age using body shapeĪs dogs age, the way they distribute their weight changes. So how do veterinarians estimate dog age? There are four main ways to tell how old a dog is using physical clues. For a medium-to-large breed dog, you can pretty comfortably say that your dog was probably about 2–4 years old at adoption for smaller breeds, the starting range will be wider at 1–5 years old at adoption. If you adopted your dog fully grown, and a few years later they haven’t changed at all, it’s a good bet that your pup is in the time of life where aging is almost imperceptible: adulthood. An adult dog is at the stage in their life where they don’t age visibly, quite unlike the rapid changes you see as a dog transitions from puppy to adult, or adult to senior. The aging process can be different depending on a dog’s size, genetic breed mix, and more. The range is even greater for small-breed dogs, because they reach maturity faster and age more slowly than larger dogs. The truth is, age is difficult to determine in dogs between the ages of about 2 and 8 calendar years by physical features alone. ![]() Why is it challenging to estimate a dog’s age? They simply offer ways to estimate a general range of your dog’s age. While helpful, these methods aren’t always 100% accurate. There are clues that veterinarians look for, including cloudy eyes, dental tartar, and how worn down the teeth are. The question “How old do you think my dog is?” is complicated to answer. Knowing your dog’s age can inform many of the choices you make about their food, lifestyle, and more. You want to be prepared and give them the appropriate care for their life stage, anticipate any age-related health conditions, and give them the best life possible. We understand why it’s important for you to know how old your dog is.
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