Dog owners already spend around £2,000 annually on their pets, with £600 going on grooming and £300 on treats. But the real revolution is in the science of canine longevity. With dogs living over 50% longer than they did in the 1980s, researchers are now exploring how to extend their lives even more – and potentially apply those findings to humans.
The Dog Aging Project, launched in 2014, is leading the charge. With 50,000 dogs enrolled in a long-term study, scientists are examining how genetics, diet, and environment affect canine ageing. One surprising finding is that dogs fed once daily appear to suffer fewer age-related diseases. While not yet conclusive, it opens the door to further investigation.
A key focus is rapamycin, a drug derived from Easter Island soil, known to trigger autophagy – a cellular clean-up process linked to longevity. A major trial (TRIAD) involving 580 dogs will test whether rapamycin can safely extend canine lifespan. Early studies suggest it may improve heart health in older dogs.
Meanwhile, biotech firm Loyal is developing drugs aimed at extending dogs’ lives, particularly large breeds, which typically live shorter lives. The company has raised over £112m and received provisional FDA approval for one of its drugs, LOY-002. Its other treatments target IGF-1, a hormone linked to growth and ageing. By lowering IGF-1 levels in big dogs, Loyal hopes to slow their biological clocks. This may also offer clues for human longevity, as people over 100 often carry unusual IGF-1 gene variants.
Despite the promise, the Dog Aging Project faces challenges. Proposed US government budget cuts under President Donald Trump threaten its future, with a potential 44% reduction in funding for the National Institutes of Health. Project co-founder Matt Kaeberlein warns that £18.5m–£37.5m could be enough to test multiple anti-ageing interventions in dogs within five years.
Still, optimism remains. Dogs share our homes, habits, and even microbiomes, making them ideal subjects for longevity research. If successful, these canine studies could pave the way for breakthroughs in human ageing – and give our furry companions more years of tail-wagging joy.
