Scientific research into dog aging biology is accelerating, with rapamycin trials and other longevity interventions showing promise for extending healthy lifespan in companion dogs.
Dog aging research has welfare implications both for the millions of dogs alive today and for future generations. Understanding the biology of aging enables interventions that extend not just lifespan but healthspan — the period of life free from chronic disease and disability. The Dog Aging Project represents a remarkable commitment to longitudinal welfare science, following thousands of dogs across their lifetimes to understand what factors promote healthy aging. If rapamycin or other interventions prove effective and safe, they could reduce the burden of age-related disease across the entire companion dog population. Until then, evidence-based lifestyle factors — lean body weight, regular exercise, social engagement, and preventive veterinary care — remain the most reliable approach to maximizing healthy lifespan.