The myth that one human year of life is equal to seven years of a dog's or cat's life is slowly being forgotten. Not all dogs are the same, so check how old your furry friend is based on science.
Pet owners they are always worried when they think of their years a dog, which is understandable, since most people dread the day, when the partnership with their furry friend will end forever.
An old myth, which says that one human year is equal the seven years of the dog, gained traction because the average human life span is about seven times longer than a dog's, so it's not completely unfounded, but however, every dog is different, just like a person, and the seven-year rule falls away.
![How old is your puppy?](https://e7852c3a.rocketcdn.me/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/charles-deluvio-550068-unsplash-660x919.jpg)
Larger animals often they die sooner than smaller ones, which means that the life expectancy of dogs can vary greatly. Due to advances in medicine and veterinary medicine, it has also life span of animals has changed a lot. According to the guidelines American Veterinary Hospital Canine Life Stages dogs are now divided into six categories, from puppies to geriatric dogs.
![Age of dogs.](https://e7852c3a.rocketcdn.me/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/content-1532447068-canine-life-stages.jpg)
They are in the first category puppies, whose age is between 0 and 0.5 years, then follow juniors, which are reproductively mature and are between 0.5 and 0.75 years old. When the dog's growth is complete and the dog is reproductively mature, the phase begins adulthood, to which we attribute years between 0.75 and 6.5. A dog can be said to be mature when he has reached half of his life expectancy or the last 25 percent and is between 6.5 and 9.75 years old. They are in the penultimate stage seniors, who have reached the last 25 percent of life expectancy and are between 9.75 and 13 years old. The last category is geriatric, when the dog has exceeded the expected lifespan and is over 13 years old.
![Many factors affect the age of dogs.](https://e7852c3a.rocketcdn.me/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/channey-604656-unsplash-660x440.jpg)
Just as many factors can affect a person's true age, your pet's health can also affect their age. At your next vet visit, ask about your pet's life cycle so you can find out what health recommendations come with it.
More information:
jaaha.org