Dogs and humans may share important biological patterns linked to longevity, according to new research from the Dog Aging Project. The findings suggest that studying how dogs age could help scientists better understand aging, disease risk, and lifespan in both species.
In a study published in The Journals of Gerontology, researchers analyzed metabolites—small molecules produced during normal processes in the body. They discovered that specific combinations of metabolites were associated with earlier or later death in dogs, showing patterns remarkably similar to those previously identified in humans.
“The molecules that are dangerous for dogs and those that protect against early death are very similar to those in humans, indicating that humans and dogs share important features of aging biology. This is really interesting and challenging,” said Dr. Kate Creevy, lead veterinarian of the Canine Aging Project and a professor at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences. The Canine Aging Project receives significant support from the WoodNext Foundation. “Our findings also highlight the value of pet dogs as models for studying long-term health and longevity.”
Exploring biological signs of lifespan
Metabolites provide a snapshot of activity inside cells, making them useful for identifying biological patterns associated with health, disease, and aging.
For this study, researchers analyzed blood samples from dogs participating in the Canine Aging Project. The long-term research initiative follows dogs throughout their lives, while owners provide detailed information about their pets and, in some cases, biological samples. Researchers examined the dogs’ blood for metabolic patterns associated with longevity, focusing on whether individual dogs died earlier or later than expected.
“Death is an easily understandable outcome,” Creevy said. “It is easy to determine when a person or dog has died, but other signs of aging and health can be much more subtle.”
Using mortality as a clear endpoint allows scientists to work backward and investigate the biological processes that may have contributed to the outcome. These processes may include metabolism, inflammation, and the way cells respond to stress.
“If you can understand why something happened, you have a better chance of identifying ways to change it,” Creevy said.
Identifying the metabolic fingerprint of aging
Instead of examining individual molecules, researchers analyzed thousands of metabolites together. This approach helped them identify broader metabolic patterns associated with longevity and mortality risk. Creevy said these groups may reveal more about what is happening inside cells than any single molecule can show.
“Some of my colleagues call this a fingerprint,” Creevy said. “Rather than looking at a single molecule, we often study patterns or groups of molecules associated with positive or negative health outcomes.”
These measurable biological indicators, known as biomarkers, help researchers estimate the likelihood of specific health outcomes by revealing changes taking place inside the body.
“Importantly, these biomarkers do not necessarily cause the outcome. Even if we eventually identify a biomarker associated with mortality, we will not know whether it is the cause,” Creevy said. “However, understanding why that biomarker exists may help us determine what is causing the relationship.”
Identifying recurring metabolic patterns gives scientists a starting point for investigating the biological mechanisms of aging. In the future, these findings could help researchers identify targets for improving long-term health and extending healthy lifespan.
Dogs and humans share similar aging signals
The researchers next investigated whether the metabolic patterns observed in dogs also appear in humans. They compared their findings with five large, previously published studies of human mortality that used similar methods to analyze metabolites.
Across the human studies, the metabolic signals associated with earlier or later death were largely similar to those identified in dogs.
This consistency was one of the study’s most significant findings. It adds to evidence that dogs and humans share important biological features related to aging, longevity, and mortality risk.
“Humans often know more about aging biology than dogs do,” Creevy said. “If we have the same goal, we can use human research to benefit dogs.”
The similarities may allow scientists to apply knowledge from human aging research to canine health. At the same time, dogs could help researchers study how aging progresses across the lifespan more quickly than human studies allow.
Why pet dogs are valuable for aging research
Pet dogs offer several advantages for researchers studying aging and longevity. They share many aspects of daily life with humans, including their environment, diet, activity levels, and household routines. This overlap allows scientists to investigate how lifestyle and environmental factors influence long-term health.
“One of the things we love most about learning from dogs about aging is the wide variety of lifestyles they have, which often reflect the lifestyles of their owners. That is not always true of other companion animals,” Creevy said.
For example, cats often lead more independent and consistent lifestyles. Dogs are more likely to follow the routines, environments, and activity patterns of the people they live with.
Dogs also have a much shorter lifespan than humans. While humans may live for 70 years or more, most dogs live approximately 12 to 13 years, depending on their size, breed, and overall health. This shorter lifespan allows researchers to observe aging, disease, and longevity outcomes in dogs more quickly than in long-term human studies. Learn more about canine lifespan.
Inside the Dog Aging Project
This research was made possible by the Dog Aging Project, a national, long-term study that tracks pet dogs living with their owners throughout the United States.
Participating owners provide detailed information about their dogs’ health, behavior, lifestyle, and environment. Some owners also submit biological samples each year. Together, these contributions allow researchers to track changes in canine health and aging over time.
“There are many opportunities for owners to register their dogs,” Creevy said. “The dedication and commitment of these owners to research and discoveries that could improve canine health is remarkable.”
Creevy said the latest findings represent an early but important step toward understanding the biological mechanisms that influence aging. Researchers have identified metabolic patterns associated with longevity, providing specific biological signals for further study.
“This is a starting point,” she said. “We identified these metabolites, and now we know where to start looking.”
For dog owners, Creevy said the practical message is straightforward: many habits that support healthy aging in humans may also benefit dogs.
“Just as we do for ourselves, we should provide our dogs with a healthy diet, maintain a healthy weight, and support good mobility and cognitive health,” Creevy said. “What is good for us is probably good for them.”
Source: www.sciencedaily.com