Viral Pet Aging Practice Debunked

In a perfect world, pets would live forever. But the heartbreaking truth is that pets are only with us for a snippet of our lifetime.

A dog's average lifespan is between 10 and 13 years, although that can depend on breed and size. It's important to cherish every last second together as the time with dogs is limited.

Pet owners are reminded of this sad truth from a September 30 TikTok video posted to the account @weeniestrong. Susan Carr, the video creator, wanted to share the message of how short a dog's life can be.

The text on the video reads, "Every 52 days is a year in a dog's life. Time flies. Take your pup on long car rides. Give them lots of pets. Take nothing for granted. Love them."

A common belief is that one year in a dog's life is equivalent to seven human years, which is why a year for a dog lasts about 52 days, but as it turns out, it is not that clear cut.

A dog matures more quickly in their early years than a human does, PetMD reports. This means that a dog's first year can equal between 12 and 15 human years. Then, as a dog ages, the human years become less. A dog's second year can equal about nine to 10 human years and the years to follow are worth about four or five human years.

Depending on a dog's breed, size, and age, a year could equate anywhere between four to 15 years in a human's world.

"There's also one more interesting pattern: different breeds age at a different pace," Veterinary Medical Lead for Basepaws Dr. Ernie Ward told Newsweek. "Smaller dogs tend to live longer and stay 'younger,' rather than large dogs, weighing over 50 pounds. For example, a 13-year-old 50 to 90-pounder would equivalent 82 human years, while a similarly aged small buddy would be as youthful as a 68-year-old human."

Ward said it is not a one-size-fits-all theory, but instead, it's more meaningful to identify a dog's age by the qualitative and quantitative transformations they've experienced.

That's why TikTok creator Carr wanted to share the importance of giving your dog your all.

"My dog brings so much joy to my life and to me, it's important to acknowledge their capacity for unconditional love and devotion by spending time enriching their lives in return," Carr told Newsweek. "I also find that the time spent with my dog allows me to be more present and live a bit more mindfully."

Pet Enrichment

Any dog owner would give years of their life in order to keep their dogs for longer, but since that is not a possibility, owners have to turn to other ways for a dog's longevity.

Shaina Denny, cofounder and CEO of Dogdrop, a doggy daycare based in Los Angeles, explained the importance of mental stimulation in a dog's life. By incorporating puzzles, sniffing, and socialization, a dog will unlock different parts of their brain.

Letting your dog stop and smell the roses for 20 or 30 minutes can be equivalent to an hour-long walk, the American Kennel Club reported.

"Experiencing new environments is extremely beneficial," said Denny. "Using and working the mind is just as important as physical activity."

Denny suggests dog owners start incorporating puzzles and games at an early age. One example of a simple at-home enrichment activity includes hiding treats in a rolled-up towel. This will force a dog to sniff and use their brain to figure out how to get the treats out. Activities like this one will keep your dog sharp, Denny said.

The biggest thing that Denny wants dog owners to know is that every day counts for your dog. Make it worth their while.

Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.