How to Determine a Dog’s Age

We'll help you understand which factors help determine a dog's age.

As pet owners, we usually know approximately how old our pet is. It’s clear for pets that moved into our home as puppies, but in the case of an adult animal, the medical examinations conducted at the shelter can allow the expert to determine roughly how old the dog might be. However, there may be situations – such as with a dog we’ve rescued – where, while it isn’t critical to know the dog’s age until the veterinary examination, it is helpful to have an idea. The dog’s age influences many things – for example, what type of food we offer or what kind of bed we provide. Additionally, with a senior dog, we must consider potential age-related health issues. We aim to provide assistance with this below.

Check the Teeth

One of the best ways to determine a dog’s age is by examining its teeth. Puppies younger than 2-4 weeks do not have teeth yet, while an 8-week-old pup will have all of its baby teeth. The color of the teeth is also very telling. A nice white set of teeth is typical for a dog around one year old. Discoloration and tartar can start appearing between the ages of 3-5, becoming more prominent with time. Dogs older than 10 years may already have missing teeth.

It is important to note that if an owner regularly cares for their dog’s teeth, problems that typically develop in older age can be prevented. Thus, even an older-looking dog can have nice teeth—though this is quite rare in the case of rescued dogs.

Run Your Hand Along Its Back

Similar to humans, as dogs age, their weight distribution also changes. While elderly people typically store fat around their abdomen and hips, dogs develop fat deposits along their backs. If you run your hand along the dog’s back beside its spine, you can feel these fatty deposits. However, this method only works for dogs with a healthy weight. In the case of a neglected or emaciated animal, you won’t find these cushions.

What can help in their case is examining the curve of the spine. A convex back and prominent spine are characteristic of older dogs.

Observe Its Movement

Due to neglect, a dog of any age may experience a slowdown in movement. However, the tail doesn’t lie. Rescued dogs often express their gratitude by wagging their tails. Even younger dogs, even those in poor condition, wag their tails energetically. However, older dogs tend to wag their tails more slowly.

Look for Signs of Aging

Dogs and humans share many common aspects of aging. For instance, just like us, dogs also gray. Some gray hairs may appear on a dog as young as one year old, but true graying typically starts around the age of five. At this time, you may notice more silvery hairs around the nose— if you see this on a dog, it’s likely between 5-7 years old. A completely gray nose is a characteristic feature of senior animals.

Moreover, the eyes can also be revealing. Cataracts are common in middle-aged and older dogs, manifesting as a cloudy, bluish tint in the dog’s gaze. Fortunately, this condition does not significantly affect the dog’s vision.

These are just guidelines; in every case, it’s the veterinarian’s responsibility to accurately determine age.