Commercial, Complimentary
Pet Age authors share findings from the 14-year Purina Life Span Study that continue to shape how veterinary professionals think about healthy weight and longevity in dogs. The study found that Labrador Retrievers maintained in lean body condition from puppyhood throughout life, lived a median of 1.8 years longer than heavier matched littermates and had more years before chronic disease required treatment.
Routine body condition scoring and nutrition counseling can make healthy weight part of preventive care.”
Source: Pet Age, October 13, 2026. Link.
Key findings:
- Lean-fed dogs had a median lifespan of 13.0 years, compared with 11.2 years for control-fed dogs — a 1.8-year, or 15 percent, extension.
- Lean-fed dogs reached a later age before treatment was required for age-related chronic conditions: 12.0 years compared with 9.9 years in control-fed dogs.
- At 8 years of age, 10% of lean-fed dogs had osteoarthritis affecting two or three joints — hip, shoulder, elbow, or stifle – compared with 77 percent of control-fed dogs.
Note: Purina’s 9-point Body Condition System and resources can help veterinary teams and pet owners assess body condition and target an ideal score of 4 to 5 for dogs <Link>.
Leave a Reply