Your Dog's Long Life May Hold the Key to Yours

Dogs may be more than humanity's best friends. They could be science's greatest allies, too.

New research from the Dog Aging Project is tracking more than 50,000 dogs across the country, analyzing everything from diet and exercise to social interaction, with a goal of maximizing the years dogs spend in good health, not just extending their lifespan. Veterinarian Katie Creavy at Texas A&M University, one of the scientists leading the project, says the findings are already pointing toward something bigger.

"Many of the things that are good for us as we age as humans are also good for dogs," Creavy said. Specifically, researchers say consistent exercise, lean body weight, and strong cognitive and social engagement are all linked to healthier aging in both species.

Because dogs develop many of the same diseases as humans but age much faster, scientists say studying them could unlock key insights into the human aging process. "It's just another way that dogs truly are not only humanity's best friend but science's best friend," Creavy said.

Creavy put it simply: "If I have a finite time on this planet, I want my years to be excellent years, even more than I want them to be many years. And I want the same thing for my dogs."