New Drug Offers Dog Fountain of Youth

Longevity drugs for our canine companions are around the corner. Could they extend the life of your dog?

Read Caption

Featured Photo JPRFPhotos/Shutterstock

Extending your dog’s lifespan is truly becoming a reality. Longevity products and anti-aging supplements are no longer just for people—dog supplements and medicine are also now mainstream medicine. One such drug, LOY-001, just hit the fast track, receiving extended conditional approval by the FDA. Currently, clinical trials are ongoing—and the results look promising.

Although they have yet to formally prove that the drug lengthens a dog’s lifespan, it appears to curb certain metabolic changes associated with canine aging. As of right now, the drug is available as an injection given at three to six-month intervals. Loyal, the developer of LOY-001, is formulating a tablet version of the medication as well. They hope to be able to market their life extension drug directly to pet owners by early 2026.

As the dog longevity pipeline expands, a team of academic researchers at The Dog Aging Project is running canine clinical trials on a drug called Rapamycin, which has successfully extended the lives of mice. 

Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine is recruiting U.S. dogs aged seven and up weighing at least forty pounds, to take part in clinical trials using either Rapamycin or a placebo. If your dog meets the criteria, all costs are covered. 

Eligibility screening is extensive and starts with a physical exam, bloodwork, a urinalysis, and a fecal test. Phase 2 documents the dog’s blood pressure, and if acceptable, a cardiac ultrasound and an EKG to assess heart function. 

Finally, the remaining canine candidates have a cheek swab taken to determine their DNA composition. Dog owners must fill out information related to their pup’s lifestyle, including food, treats, medications, and exercise.

The trial involves giving dogs a tablet—either Rapamycin or a placebo—by mouth once a week for one year. No one knows which tablet is which, not even the veterinarians, until the trial is over. Consequently, your dog has a 50/50 chance of receiving Rapamycin.

The trial lasts for three years, and clinicians continue to monitor the dogs for an additional two years after the initial one-year treatment. Additionally, each dog receives an activity monitor to wear at home to assess daily levels of exercise and sleep. Pet parents submit their canines’ information and medical records directly via Tuft’s online portal.

While scientists continue to investigate new longevity drugs, there are measures dog owners can institute today to offer their “best friends” a better path to aging. Holistic dog longevity research validates the fact that our canine friends can enjoy longer, happier, and healthier years by making a few simple changes in their diet and lifestyle. For example, a  study published in The Lancet in 2011 demonstrated that exercising just 15 minutes a day for 12 years extends the human lifespan by three years. Since dogs age about seven times faster than we do, imagine the longevity benefits of enjoying a walk with your pooch when it comes to your best friend’s longevity.  

Photo: Barsik/bigstock.com

A new study recently published in the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine showed that keeping your canine lean can extend their life by 18 to 24 months and delay the onset of chronic diseases, including arthritis.

Good nutrition is the foundation of good health. The saying “you are what you eat” doesn’t just apply to people. Dogs age about seven times faster than people do, and what you feed your dog plays a major role in their aging process.

Feeding a homemade, natural, organic diet that minimizes red meat and provides antioxidant-rich food sources, including berries, lean protein, and multicoloured fresh vegetables is the foundation of good nutrition.

Providing your dog with a balanced, comprehensive, vitamin mineral supplement also helps to ensure your dog is receiving all the essential nutrients needed to achieve and maintain optimal health, wellness, and longevity.

This article originally appeared in the award-winning Modern Dog magazine. Subscribe today!