While calculating your dog ’s age in human years was previously as simple as multiplying it by seven, scientists have uncovered a more precise way to work out your pooch’s age.
Researchers from the University of California have crafted a new equation, which takes into account changes to DNA over time.
In their study, published in bioRxiv , the researchers, led by Tina Wang, wrote: “Mammals progress through similar physiological stages during life, from early development to puberty, ageing, and death.
“Yet, the extent to which this conserved physiology reflects conserved molecular events is unclear.
“Here, we map common epigenetic changes experienced by mammalian genomes as they age, focusing on evolutionary comparisons of humans to dogs, an emerging model of ageing.”
The new equation specifically looks at changes to ‘methyl groups’ - molecules that add themselves to DNA over time.
It involves finding the natural logarithm of a dog’s age, multiplying it by 16 and adding 31 to the total.
For example, using this formula, a 3-year-old dog would be 48 in ‘human years.’
Scroll down to find out how to work out your dog’s age in human years.
How to work out your dog’s age in ‘human years’
1. Use this online tool or the ‘ln’ button on a calculator to work out the natural logarithm of your dog’s age
2. Multiply this by 16
3. Add 31
For example, if you dog is 3 years old, its natural logarithm will be 1.09.
Multiplying this by 16 gives you 17.44, then adding 31 gives you 48.4.
This suggests that your dog is around 48-year-old in ‘human years’.
