How Old is Your Pet- Really?

Just how old is your dog really? More than likely you know the dogs age in years, or at least have an approximation of its age, but do you really have any idea how old it may be- chronologically speaking?

I'm sure you've heard of the old "seven year theory". You know, the system where each year of a dog or cats life is the equivalent of 7 of ours. An example of this thinking would be that a 1 year old dog would be the age and developmental equal of a 7 year old person. Now just how many 7 year old kids do you know that are sexually mature -and able to reproduce? A cat or dog is much more likely to have a litter when it is one year or younger, or at the other extreme,ten years or older, than is a human who is under the age of seven or over the age of seventy! This system was simple- but too simple. Many people today may still use these calculations when coming to some idea of their pets chronological age. Still, due to examples like the one above you can see why this most simple of systems is not accepted today.

In the early 1950's a French veterinarian, Monsieur LeBeau, formulated another system to address this problem. In LeBeau's system, a dog/cat of 1 year in age became the equivalent of a 15 year old person- due to the onset of puberty in each species. The second year of a dog/cats life became the equivalent of a 24 year old person- someone/ something that has reached full maturity. After two, each year of an animals life would equal 4 years of human life.

Pop quiz time! Just how old would a 6 year old cat "really" be using this newer system? According to the LeBeau theory, the dog/cat would be the equivalent of a 40 year old person. Remember, 24+ (4*4)= 40. How about a 10 year old dog? If you came up with 56 then you were correct! It is interesting to note that dogs and cats move up this newer age scale at the same rate until they reach the age of 14. At that time the rates begin to differ between dogs and cats compared in human age terminology. This chart would work quite well for a dog or cat having an average life expectancy(ALE) of 14 years. As we all know, oftentimes animals,as do people, may exceed the ALE which would call for further refinement of this age formula. For this we need to be aware of something called the maximum life span(MLS). Basically, the average life expectancy is the amount of years a person, animal, etc. may reasonably expect to live. The MLS on the other hand, is the genetically based maximum age beyond which no member of that species may live.

Now, with that in mind, consider this addendum to the first age chart. A human maximum life span is close to 110 years. A cats maximum life span is around the mid-30's, while a dogs maximum life span is around 29. So, just how do you calculate a cat or dogs age who lives past the 14 year mark? In this event, each year of life past 14 for a dog would equal 2 1/2 human years, and only 2 for a cat. Due to recent research it has been found that many times an animal may live past his ALE when given improved care, activity, social and psychological stimulation. If we examine the oldest living dogs on record, we can begin to see that most had a regular moderate exercise program that included differing levels of psychological and social stimulation.

Currently, the oldest living dog on record worked as a herding dog in Australia(29 years old). The runner-up, a mere 27 years of age, was a Lab who lived in the home of a game keeper in England. Other famous notables include Higgins, the terrier on Petticoat Junction and the Beverly Hillbillies(20); Pal, the collie who started the role of Lassie(18);and,last but certainly not least, Rin Tin Tin, movie star and German Shepherd who lived to be at least 16 years of age.

The following charts will show you just how LeBeaux theories work when determining the age of your pet. We hope this material is of help to you in the future.

AGE

Cat/Dog Human

1---------------------------15

2---------------------------24

3------------- --------------28

4---------------------------32

5---------------------------36

6-- -------------------------40

7---------------------------44

8---------------------------4 8

9---------------------------52

10-------------------------56

11----------------- --------60

12-------------------------64

13-------------------------68

14--------- ----------------72

AGE Cats/Humans Dogs/Humans

15------------74--------------------74.5

16------------76------------------- -77

17------------78--------------------79.5

18------------80--------------------82

< p>19------------82--------------------84.5

20------------84--------------------87

21---- --------86--------------------89.5

22------------88--------------------92

23------------ 90--------------------94.5

24------------92--------------------97

25------------94------ --------------99.5

26------------96--------------------102

27------------98------------- -------104.5

28-----------100-------------------107

29-----------102-------------------1 09.5

30-----------104

31-----------106

32-----------108

33-----------110

34-----------112

Article written and reprinted with permission of: http://www.pedigreedpups.com/ Purebred Dogs, Puppies and Dog Breeders - "Your New Best Friend"

Copyright 2005. All rights reserved.

Debbie Ray, owner of: http://www.pedigreedpups.com is a lifetime dog lover and owner and breeder of german shepherd dogs for over 15 years.

---

America; You Are Over Feeding Your Pets

As many of you know America is serious about our... Read More

Help! Ive Got a Pregnant Cat!

So, you've got yourself a pregnant cat.Was it a stray... Read More

Buying a Custom Bird Cage

Many of us dream of having a beautiful, exotic bird... Read More

Tips for Finding the Perfect Family Dog

If your kids have been begging you to get a... Read More

Horse Stable keeping

It is very important to decide whether to keep your... Read More

Preparing For Your New Dog - What You Need to Know Before He Comes Home

Preparing yourself and your household before, during, and after your... Read More

Pampering Your Favorite Puppy

I was doing some research on dog health when I... Read More

Natural Dog Shampoos are Good for Your Dogs Skin and Coat

A Healthy Skin and Coat for Your Dog ...Does your... Read More

Your Dogs Health; Why Dog Breath is No Laughing Matter

Your dogs health is important to you. You show her... Read More

The 7 Stages of Puppy Development

Let's take a look at the different stages, but before... Read More

How to Keep Your Cat Free from Diseases with This Quick Guide to Cat Parasites

Parasites are organisms that survive by feeding off of other... Read More

Horse Training Equipment: The 6th of 6 Keys To Developing A Partnership With Your Horse

The 6 Keys To Building A Life Long Partnership With... Read More

Animals Are Forever

Throughout the course of my life, I've encountered my own... Read More

Afraid To Buy A Horse At Public Auction?

Here are 5 things to do to put the odds... Read More

How to Choose the Right Bird Cage

If the "tweet, tweet" of little beaks is in your... Read More

Different Dog Foods For Different Dog Ages

Dogs come in many assorted breeds, shapes, and sizes. They... Read More

Saving Ginger From Being Put To Sleep ? Part 1

A family, including three dogs and a cat live happily... Read More

7 Tips To Keep Your Pet Safe On Halloween

... Read More

Dog Health Conditions and Terms You Should Know... Part 2

Cryptorchidism is peculiar to male dogs and a condition present... Read More

Dog Obediance Tips...

Training your dog can be time consuming and frustrating at... Read More

How To Keep Your Dog Safe in the 21st Century

For thousands of years, dogs have been "man's best friend."... Read More

Introducing a New Puppy into a Home with an Existing Pet

It was November and I had spent 3 months searching... Read More

A Review of Cat Fancy Magazine

Occasionally, some of us get to do work that is... Read More

Flea Control for Pets

Flea control can be a very hard thing to do... Read More

Dealing with a Dog Food Allergy?

Just as humans allergies can show up as a sneeze... Read More

Caring For Your Pomeranians Teeth

Pomeranians have tiny mouths and itty bitty teeth, but not... Read More

How To Be A Good Pomeranian Dog Owner

Opening your heart to a Pomeranian can be fun, but... Read More

Home Hazards That Can Affect Our Pets

Is your home safe for your Furr Kids? It might... Read More

Animal Communicator

I have a business card burning a hole in my... Read More

How to Keep Your Cat Free from Diseases with Your Quick Guide to Cat Grooming

Even a cat that compulsively cleans itself can benefit from... Read More

Love of Horses

My love of horses began at the age of 11... Read More

Does Your Dog Bite? How to Protect Your Dog and Yourself from Liability

MuttShack Foundation for Animal Foster and Rescue, claim that dogs... Read More

So are you ready for a Boxer Dog?...

An easier and more pleasant journey with your chosen Boxer... Read More