What is brain aging in dogs?

Like humans, dogs develop age-related physiological deficiencies such as heart or kidney disease, arthritis, hearing, and vision loss.  The brain, as with many other organs, also declines with age. This can impact your dog’s level of function and impair quality of life.

Brain aging affects a majority of senior dogs

Behavior changes associated with age-related physiological impairment affect many senior dogs.  In fact, research has shown that age-related impairment can occur in up to two-thirds of senior dogs.1

Percentage of dogs in each age group that are impaired by brain aging

11-12 year old dogs 28%

15-16 year old dogs 68%

Brain aging is identifiable

The signs of age-related cognitive impairment can be subtle, but brain aging is a progressive process and the signs are likely to worsen with time.  You can help your dog live a long, healthy life by paying attention to behavior changes and reporting these changes to your veterinarian as early as possible.

Help for brain aging

By knowing and identifying the signs of brain aging in their early stages, you can uphold your dog’s quality of life. And, by using Senilife, you can help slow the behavior problems related to aging.

1. Prevelance of behavioral changes associated with age-related cognitive impairment in dogs. Neilson JC, et al. JAVMA 218:1787-1791, 2001.
How Old Is Your Dog, Really?
Pet/Human Age Relation
Dog's Age Dog's Size
Toy 22-49 lbs. 50-84 lbs. 85+ lbs.
1 year 7 7 8 9
2 year 13 14 16 18
3 year 20 21 24 26
4 year 26 27 31 34
5 year 33 34 38 41
6 year 40 42 45 49
7 year 44 47 50 56
8 year 48 51 55 64
9 year 52 56 61 71
10 year 56 60 66 78
11 year 60 65 72 86
12 year 64 69 77 93
13 year 68 74 82 101
14 year 72 78 88 108
15 year 76 83 93 115
16 year 80 87 99 123
Adolescent Adult Senior