Man’s Best Friend gets a boost in longevity from the FDA.

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

The company, Loyal, hopes to be able to market its life extension drug directly to pet owners in early 2026.

Although they have not demonstrated that the drug actually lengthens dogs’ lives, it appears to blunt certain metabolic changes associated with canine aging. Currently, the drug is available as an injection given at 3 to 6 month intervals. Loyal is also in the midst of formulating on a tablet as well.

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 dogs aged 7 and up weighing forty pounds plus 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 intensive and involves a physical exam, blood, urine and fecal tests. Blood pressure measurement is recorded, followed by a cardiac ultrasound and an ECG to assess heart function. The remaining canine candidates have a cheek swab taken to determine their DNA. 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 by mouth once a week; either Rapamycin or a placebo for one year. No one, not even the veterinarians, knows which tablet is which until the trial is over. Consequently, your dog has a 50/50 chance of receiving Rapamycin. 

The trial lasts for 3 years and clinicians continue to monitor dogs for an extra 2 years. Dog owners receive an activity monitor their dogs wear at home to access exercise.  Dog owners can submit their canines’ information and medical records directly via the Tufts online portal.

While scientists continue to investigate new, potential longevity drugs, there are measures dog owners can institute today to offer their “best friends” a better path to aging.  Holistic dog longevity research continues to validate the fact that our canine friends can enjoy longer, happier, healthier years by making a few simple changes in their lifestyle and nutrition.

For example, just keeping your canine lean has been proven to extend a dog’s healthy life by 1 year.  Exercising your dog for 1 hour increases his lifespan by 4 hours. 

Feeding a homemade, natural, organic diet, minimizing red meat and providing antioxidant-rich food sources, including berries and multicolored fresh vegetables, is the foundation of good nutrition. 

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