August 15, 2017 – Sumibu.com

Dog Years to Human Years: An Inexact Science

You’re standing around the water cooler at work, or the single-use coffee machine, and someone starts talking about something they haven’t done or seen “in a dog’s age.” This leads your coworker to rattle off the truism that, for a dog, one year is the equivalent of seven human years. Let’s examine the facts and fictions that underlie the conversion of dog years to human years. We’ll also set out some basic guidelines for how to calculate dog years, or at least to approximate a dog’s age.

The notion that dog years vs. human years can be tallied at a ratio of 7:1, where every year of a dog’s life is equivalent to seven of your human years, is a fallacy you continue to hear no matter how often it’s debunked. It’s an old wives’ tale, not dissimilar to believing you shouldn’t cross your eyes or they’ll stick that way, or contort your face and run the risk of your features becoming permanently grotesque.

Dog years are not so simple to calculate, because many factors determine a dog’s true age. Among the variables are breed, activity level, size, and general health and stress. From all the information on the subject that I have studied and absorbed, it is also clear that dogs do not age at a fixed rate. Dog years tend to accumulate faster early in a dog’s life, with the rate of aging slowing down and normalizing once the dog reaches adulthood.

What are dog years vs. human years?

Dog years calculators on the Internet vary when it comes to the first year of a dog’s life. The numbers we’ve seen in our research range from 10.5 up to 18 dog years. The majority settle for something in between; received wisdom currently is that in general, when a dog is 365 days old, he is roughly 15 in human years. That may seem very rapid, but consider that dogs mature at a much quicker rate than we do. This is why the ASPCA recommends having dogs spayed or neutered by the time they are six months old. Dogs reach sexual maturity between six months and two years, depending on the breed.

Factors for determining dog years

The two most common factors for determining how old a dog is in dog years — by which we mean as measured against the similar age in human years — are size and teeth. Size is a factor in determining dog years, aging, and lifespan. In these estimations, dogs are grouped into broad size categories, to wit, small, medium, and large dogs. Small dogs tend to have the longest lifespans, so estimations for dog years in small dogs generally see them age slower in dog years. Calculators still show variance when it comes to approximating dog years.

At age 14 in human years, the calculators and charts we’ve consulted estimate that small dogs will be 72 to 84 in dog years. A medium-sized dog at 14 human years ranges from 78 to 96 in dog years. Large dogs who have reached 14 human years are 88 to 108 in dog years. The ratios for small dogs are more like 12:1, for medium-sized dogs, 10:1, and for large dogs, 9:1, but even that is only roughly accurate for the first two years of a dog’s life. As you may have guessed, comparing dog years to human years is inexact at best, but these measures for the first couple of years offer more reasonable estimates than the well-worn 7:1 ratio passed down over the ages in the fireside cackling of so-called old wives.

Dog teeth provide a rough guide

The second frequently cited factor in determining a dog’s age in human years is the appearance of a dog’s teeth. Assuming that a dog is well looked after, cared for, and fed properly, the following are rules of thumb. Dental estimates for dog years are based on the number and condition of a dog’s teeth and converted with the same ratios as above to dog years. Once a dog’s teeth have come in, puppies have 28 teeth in total. Fully grown dogs have 42 teeth in total.

By the time a dog is seven months of age, all of his permanent teeth will have come in. A dog with a full set of teeth that are still bright white will be in her first or second year, and thus, depending on size, anywhere from 10 to 18 in dog years. Teeth that appear to have some use and yellowing, found in a mouth that exhibits the familiar odor we refer to as “dog breath,” in a fully-grown dog, may indicate an age in human years of three to five. This would put that dog along a spectrum of 29 to 45 years of age in dog years, again, dependent on the dog’s size, breed and overall health.

It is much more difficult to estimate an age for an older dog, who may be experiencing tooth decay or missing teeth. With a mouth in that sort of shape, it is generally safe to assume, however, that the dog will be in excess of 10 human years, or between 64 and 80 in dog years, if not older. The condition of a dog’s teeth is a far less precise method for determining dog years than when you have a general marker of human years, along with size, as a basis for your estimate.

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Can Dogs Eat Cheese? How About Other Dairy Products?

Hot on the heels of Dogster’s examinations of what kinds of fruits and what sorts of vegetables dogs can consume, and those they’re better off staying away from, we turn our attention to dairy products! The major issue when it comes to dogs and dairy is lactose content. The problem, especially for adult dogs, is that their digestive systems tend to be lactose intolerant. Lactase is an enzyme that breaks down and helps the digestive system to process lactose. The higher a product’s lactose content, the less likely your dog will enjoy the aftermath, regardless of how happily he eats, drinks, or laps it up.

Just because a dog will eat something or does eat something doesn’t mean it’s either safe or advisable. After all, dogs also eat things like grass and poop. As far as items that normally fall under the rubric of “people food,” the best piece of advice is to do your research and introduce these foods and drinks to your dog only in very small quantities to establish an individual dog’s tolerance to them. Let’s take a closer look at comestibles and beverages in the dairy family!

Can dogs drink milk?

Mother’s milk is not only an excellent early album by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, but also the primary source of nutrition and sustenance for newborn puppies. Like most mammals, for the first part of their lives, baby puppies suckle happily and hungrily at the milk-swollen dugs of their mother. Once grown, however, the majority of adult dogs do not produce enough lactase to break down, process, and digest lactose, a sugar that occurs naturally in milk.

If you or anyone you know suffers from lactose intolerance, the consequences for drinking milk are obvious. Lactose intolerance does not affect all dogs, and each dog may have a different tolerance for a dish of milk. When most grown dogs drink enough milk — or enough of any food or drink with sufficient amounts of lactose — they can suffer from diarrhea, upset stomach, and excessive gas. For weaned puppies and older dogs with finicky digestive systems, the risk of dehydration that accompanies severe diarrhea is best avoided altogether.

Can dogs eat cheese?

A true turophile, or cheese-fancier, would probably not look as befuddled as this Beagle at the sight of all that cheese. This dog is right to wonder whether dogs can eat cheese at all, and, if so, what kinds. Most cheeses have far less lactose than milk, and many kinds are safe for dogs in small enough quantities. Moderation in all things. If you have a cheese ready to hand that you know is low in fat, low in sodium, and low in lactose content, you can certainly offer a small bit to a dog who is willing to try it.

This extends not only to block, wheel, and individually-wrapped slices of processed cheese, but to cottage cheese and cream cheese as well. Cottage cheese especially, in small portion sizes, can be a fine treat for dogs, provided it is low-sodium and low-fat. Your dog cannot speak, but you can imagine that all dogs thank you for being cautious with their digestive health!

Can dogs eat eggs?

It’s a yes and no to dogs eating eggs. You’ll often hear or read that cooked eggs — whether boiled, scrambled, poached, or otherwise — are safe for dogs to eat, while uncooked, raw eggs are not. There is truth in this conventional wisdom. This wisdom holds that raw eggs contain potentially dangerous bacteria such as Escherichia coli, also known as E. Coli, and Salmonella, the two leading bacterial causes of food poisoning.

It is true that the whites of raw eggs contain small amounts of a protein called Avidin. in large enough quantities, this protein can cause damage to a dog’s skin and coat by limiting the B-vitamins they need. It is also true that egg yolk contains enough of that B-vitamin, Biotin, to potentially offset an Avidin imbalance. This is all very technical, I know. On the whole, try to limit your dog’s access to raw eggs. Well-cooked eggs, on the other hand, are perfectly safe.

Can dogs eat ice cream?

As we’ve established, lactose intolerance is a problem native to many dogs’ digestive systems. Much store-bought ice cream is lower in lactose content than milk, but it may also contain far more sugar and other sweeteners than a dog can handle. Keep the ice cream to very small portions, with low-to-no sugar or artificial sweeteners, and your dog may enjoy a little of this classic summertime treat. Do avoid it like the plague if it contains chocolate, though.

Can dogs eat yogurt?

Finally, a dairy product that comes with a resounding “Yes.” I wouldn’t necessarily recommend your dog bury its head in a tub of the stuff with bits in, as the Corgi below is doing, unless it’s cleaning out remnants. Otherwise, in small quantities, yogurt with live bacteria, low fat content, and no artificial sweeteners can be good support for a dog with an upset stomach!

Share your dog’s experiences with dairy products!

Of course, this is not an exhaustive list of dairy products, only those most frequently asked about. I just couldn’t find enough interest in whether a dog could or should consume things like Buffalo Curd, Whey, or Yak Butter to write about them. The general rule of thumb for dogs and dairy products of all varieties is that they be low in lactose, low-to-no sodium, and with as little artificial or added sweeteners as possible. If you feel compelled to feed a dog a dairy product, do so in small amounts to establish your individual dog’s tolerance! What kinds of dairy products does your dog enjoy? Let us know the product and the breed in the comments!

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Why Is Your Dog Eating Grass? 4 Reasons

My dog, Baby, is probably a lot like your canine companions. She has ready and regular access to nutritious food, and yet, no sooner do we leave the house for our walk than she turns into a goat. Our lawn, the neighbors’ yards or tufts of grass growing along the forest trails: Baby samples a bit of each over the course of an outing. It is among the most common and puzzling things dogs do. Is your dog eating grass? Read on!

A dog eating grass. Photography by irontrybex/THINKSTOCK.

Does your dog eat grass? Here’s why and here’s how to deal with it. Photography by irontrybex/THINKSTOCK.

Do dogs eat grass to help them vomit or poop?

Folk wisdom suggests that a dog eating grass can ease digestive issues at both ends, encouraging dogs to throw up and help to move poop through their colons. Science offers no evidence linking eating grass with vomiting. It has shown that dogs, already nauseated before grazing, were more likely to throw up after.

The same goes for the supposed laxative properties of grass. When a dog is getting mostly meat-based proteins, fresh water and consistent exercise, digestion takes an average of four to eight hours. Since a dog’s body isn’t built to break down plant matter, grass actually hangs around longer.

Is your dog eating grass because it’s a dietary supplement?

Are there nutrients in grass that a dog needs? This timeless gem is used to explain every taste oddity, from eating dirt to the taste for poop. Is grass the one true superfood? Before getting your pupper certified as a dietary specialist, remember that dogs are also known to eat underwear, rubber duckies and loose change. So, the answer is no.

Animals whose diets depend on grasses and grains, from cows to humans, have longer digestive tracts than those who rely on proteins, like dogs and cats. If you feel that your dog’s diet is missing something, it’s not grass. Remember, suddenly switching your dog to a different food or adding concentrated supplements is the quickest way to cause stomach upset in dogs.

Do dogs eat grass because of their ancestors?

Another persistent notion is that our dogs eat grass because their distant ancestors did. The idea is that wolves developed an appreciation, both for the animals they ate and for whatever remained inside their prey. By this logic, because I enjoy chicken meat, I should also crave worms and dried corn. I’ll keep you posted!

Dogs are opportunistic omnivores who can and will eat anything, regardless of nutritional value. If yours is an indoor dog, she might eat grass out of simple curiosity. More outside playtime, along with increased exposure to grasses, might make it less appealing, though I admit it’s had no effect on my own dog!

Do dogs tend to eat certain kinds of grass?

Is your dog throwing up or pooping after swallowing some fescue or crabgrass? Look to the grass itself for an answer, not the dog. Do you, your neighbors or the park maintenance staff treat grass with herbicides or fertilizers? Wind and rain can easily carry landscaping treatments far beyond the turf it’s meant for.

Nearly half of the dogs in one study had traces of lawn chemicals in their urine, despite living in homes with untreated lawns! Waste left by dogs, birds and other wildlife can also attract a dog’s nose and tongue and affect normal digestion.

Dealing with a dog eating grass:

Some people try to discourage their dogs from eating grass by stopping less frequently during walks. Others have started cultivating pet grass, which their dogs can nibble on without fear of toxins or additives.

The strangest effect that a dog grass eating has is on dog owners. We may never know why dogs eat grass, but the mental gymnastics we perform trying to justify it to ourselves are more entertaining than the habit itself!

Thumbnail: Photography by Leiru/Thinkstock.

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Melvin Peña is a writer, editor, social media manager and SEO specialist who spends most of his time in Durham, North Carolina. His interests include his dog, Baby (of course!), art, hiking, urban farming and karaoke.

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