Most dogs live to be between 10 and 15 years old, and how old a dog can get depends especially on three things: its size and breed, its weight throughout life, and its daily care, including what it eats. Small dogs usually live the longest and can easily reach 15-16 years, while the very large breeds often have a shorter lifespan of 8-12 years. A few dogs live much longer, but the range of 10-15 years is what the vast majority of owners can use as a starting point. The good thing about this is that several of the factors that push the number up or down actually lie in your own hands.

Why do small dogs live longer than large ones?

Size is the single factor that says the most about a dog's expected lifespan. A chihuahua or a dachshund can often accompany a family for 14-16 years, while a Great Dane or a Saint Bernard typically lives for a shorter time. The explanation is that large breeds grow faster and put on far more mass in their first years of life, which strains the body, joints and heart earlier in life. That is also why a large dog is considered a senior at a younger age than a small dog. This does not mean that a large dog is doomed to a short life, but it changes when you should start paying extra attention to wellbeing, movement and feeding that suits its particular build.

What does the breed mean for how old a dog can get?

In addition to size, the breed plays a role in itself, because some breeds are more predisposed to certain health challenges than others. Mixed-breed dogs often have a robust breadth in their genetic material, while certain purebred dogs may have hereditary weaknesses that affect how long they stay healthy. If you know your dog's breed, you can prepare for what typically features in the life of that particular breed and arrange everyday life accordingly. If you are unsure about what your dog is predisposed to, or if you see signs that worry you, it is always your vet who should assess the specific health condition.

How weight affects a dog's lifespan

Weight is one of the most overlooked, but most decisive factors for a long dog life. A dog that carries too many kilos year after year strains its joints, heart and entire metabolism, and this can cost both quality of life and years of life. A healthy weight throughout life is therefore one of the best gifts you can give your dog. You know your dog's weight best when you can both feel the ribs without pressing hard and see a clear waist when viewed from above. If you are unsure whether your dog is where it should be, you can learn more in our guide Does your dog have a healthy weight, where you will also find meals gathered with a healthy weight in mind. If your dog needs to lose weight, or is too thin, it is worth addressing early rather than letting it develop.

Exercise and everyday life: what makes a difference?

Movement keeps muscles, joints and mind going and helps keep weight at the right level. How much your dog needs depends on whether you have a dog with a high activity level that thrives on long walks and tasks, or a dog with a more moderate everyday life that gets enough out of calm walks and daily stimulation. Both can provide a long and good life, as long as the movement matches the dog's needs and age. A dog that uses its body every day without becoming overloaded usually stays both slimmer and happier, and that counts when you look at how old a dog can get.

Can food affect how long the dog lives?

What your dog eats every single day is one of the places where you have the most direct influence on wellbeing over time. Meals with human-grade ingredients and fresh produce give the body what it needs, without unnecessary fillers, and a well-thought-out nutritional profile supports weight, digestion and energy over the years. At ESSENTIAL FOODS, every meal is prepared from carefully selected local and regional delicacies and composed with the dog's wellbeing in mind. In the Living Series you will find meals for the adult dog, and because all ESSENTIAL FOODS meals are premium, you are not choosing between quality levels, but between taste, ingredients and nutritional profile that suit your particular dog. If you are unsure about what best suits your dog's age and needs, ESSENTIAL FOODS' nutritional advisers are ready by phone, chat or email to help you find the right thing for everyday life.

Feeding throughout life: from puppy to the golden years

A dog's needs change as it gets older, and feeding should follow along. The puppy needs meals that support a body in rapid growth, and here Essential The Beginning is created for the finest start with luxurious, grain-free puppy meals, fresh produce and human-grade ingredients, entirely without grain and unnecessary fillers. If you are getting started with a new puppy, it is worth diving into the Puppy Universe, a well-thought-out universe where the advice comes directly from ESSENTIAL FOODS. When the dog enters its senior years, the body and activity change again, and here senior meals are composed with the older dog's everyday life and wellbeing in mind. Adapting the meals to the dog's life stage is one of the most concrete ways to support wellbeing all the way from puppy to the golden years.

When is a dog a senior?

There is no single fixed age at which a dog becomes a senior, because it is closely linked to size. A large dog is often considered a senior already around 6-7 years, while a small dog only reaches that point a couple of years later. The senior years do not mean a poorer life, but they call for a little more attention to movement, weight and daily comfort. Many dogs enjoy their golden years to the fullest when everyday life is adapted to their pace and feeding supports a body that is no longer quite so young. If you notice changes in your senior dog's appetite, movement or wellbeing that worry you, that belongs with the vet, who can assess what lies behind it.

What can you do yourself for a long dog life?

You cannot change your dog's breed or size, but you can influence a great deal of what determines how old it gets. A healthy weight throughout life, daily movement that matches the dog's needs, high-quality meals adapted to its life stage and regular visits to the vet are the four things that together give the best odds for many good years. No one can promise a specific number of years of life, because heredity and chance always come into play, but the sum of the daily choices moves the number in the right direction. It is less about one big move and more about doing the right small things again and again, day after day, in the company of the dog that shares everyday life with you.