Longevity Science

Dog Aging Project

The largest canine aging study ever conducted, enrolling 45,000+ companion dogs across the US. Run by University of Washington, it studies genetics, environment, and lifestyle factors affecting dog lifespan.

The Dog Aging Project (DAP) is a longitudinal research initiative studying aging in companion dogs across the United States. Launched in 2019 and based at the University of Washington, it is the largest systematic study of canine aging ever conducted.

Scale and Design

  • Enrollment: 45,000+ companion dogs as of 2024; ongoing enrollment
  • Study design: observational longitudinal cohort — dogs and their owners complete regular health, lifestyle, and environmental surveys; a subset undergo deeper biological sampling
  • Duration: dogs are followed for their entire lives, providing complete lifespan data
  • Funding: primarily NIH (National Institute on Aging); some private foundation support

What It Studies

The DAP aims to identify:

  1. Genetic determinants of longevity: whole-genome sequencing of participating dogs
  2. Environmental factors: air quality, water quality, geographic region, household composition
  3. Lifestyle factors: exercise, diet, social engagement, veterinary care patterns
  4. Biological markers: microbiome composition, metabolomics, immune markers — biological age clocks
  5. Disease trajectories: which conditions most commonly limit lifespan and at what ages

Key Findings to Date

  • Dogs with more social engagement (more human interaction, other pets) show lower rates of cognitive dysfunction
  • Geographic region correlates with multiple health outcomes, including cancer rates
  • Diet quality and consistency (vs. frequency of diet changes) correlates with GI health outcomes
  • Biological age assessments using epigenetic clocks align with expected aging patterns

TRIAD Study (Rapamycin Trial)

The Test of Rapamycin in Aging Dogs (TRIAD) is a sub-study within DAP testing low-dose rapamycin vs. placebo in 580 middle-aged dogs. Primary endpoint: all-cause mortality. Preliminary TREAD pilot data showed improved cardiac function measures and owner-reported quality of life. Full TRIAD results are expected to significantly advance understanding of rapamycin’s effects in companion dogs.

Enrolling Your Dog

US-resident dog owners can enroll through the Dog Aging Project website. Enrollment is free. Participants complete regular online surveys; some are selected for deeper biological sampling at no cost.