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12-Month-Old Baby: Development Milestones | Pampers

Can you believe it's been a year? Your little one has reached the 12-month point, and there's so much to be excited about now! He's becoming more capable of feeding and expressing himself, and, if he hasn't already, he's gearing up to take those all-important first steps. At this point, his diet may change slightly, and sleeping through the night may be a bit of a challenge, but he's learning more about his world every day. Learn more about what's in store for you and your 12-month-old baby this month.

Baby Development Milestones

You're bound to experience a wave of 12-month-old baby milestones this month, and his first words and steps may be just around the corner, too. He's gaining independence from his new mobility, whether he’s crawling, scooting, cruising (walking while holding on to furniture for support), or walking already. Your baby may also be starting to form the sounds and syllables that will eventually become words.

Growth and Physical Development: Keep Watching Him Grow

Your baby's done a lot of growing in the last 12 months! In fact, by his first birthday, it's possible that he's tripled his birth weight, and may stand at an impressive 28 to 32 inches tall. Know that babies' growth tends to slow down a bit around their first birthday, but you can always check the growth charts that your baby's healthcare provider uses to make sure he's progressing as expected. The same charts are often used to track growth until the age of 24 months.

As your little one starts taking his first few tentative steps, you may notice his feet are turned outward. This is normal and should correct itself naturally. As he gets stronger on his feet in coming months, the ligaments of his hips will tighten and his feet will start to point forward.

Dental hygiene is important at this time, too. Experts advise that you make your baby's first dental appointment when his first tooth comes in, but certainly by his first birthday. Once those first teeth start appearing, make sure to brush them gently twice a day, and focus on weaning him off the bottle around his first birthday to help prevent tooth decay. There is a lot of variation among babies as to when their first teeth start to appear, so don't worry so much about how many teeth he may or may not have at this point and focus more on oral hygiene.

Senses: Bright-eyed and Curious

By now, your 12-month-old baby's vision has reached normal adult levels and is sharper than ever. He can now see just as clearly as you can! You may notice his hand-eye coordination is improving, too. His vision and motor skills may now allow him to reach for and pick up specific objects and even feed himself with greater control. He might be more able to focus on small details at this point, and may be able to handle small pieces of food more easily, for example. It's also likely that more food is ending up in his mouth than on the floor as he becomes more skilled at guiding finger foods or maybe a spoon to his mouth and using a sippy cup.

Movement: Cruising and Balancing

Those first wobbly steps are among the more exciting 12-month-old baby milestones your baby may be accomplishing around this time, or in the next month or two. By this age, your little one may be a pro at pulling himself into a standing position and even taking steps while holding onto furniture (known as cruising). His balance is improving, so you may see him let go of the furniture or your hands and take two or three steps on his own, without support. He'll lose his balance and drop to the floor from time to time, but as long as you've provided a safe space for these early steps, it's all part of the learning process. Most babies only stumble for a short time before finding their footing and walking with confidence.

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Cognitive Development: Practicing Sounds and Words

By now, your baby can imitate gestures and point or crawl toward something he wants. He’s also working hard on getting to the point where he’ll be able to communicate what he’d like with basic words. For example, he's experimenting with sounds, and you may find he's able to make some recognizable syllables like “ma,” “ga,” or “ba.” These are all stepping stones toward his first real words. You may be eagerly awaiting what his first word will be, but keep in mind all babies are different and start speaking at different times. Keep talking and reading to him, and you'll inspire him to practice more sounds and eventually try to communicate with you.

How to Support Your 1-Year-Old Baby's Development

There are endless ways to help stimulate your 12-month-old baby’s curiosity and nurture his development. Talk to your baby as you go about your day, and don't forget about playing and reading together, too. Stick to your established routines for bedtime, mealtime, and playtime. For example, if your baby enjoys a story before bedtime or some dedicated playtime on the floor with you, make sure you make these comforting activities part of your daily schedule. Check out our video guides for more tips on how to make bedtime easier. If a caregiver is spending time with your child, make sure he or she follows your family's routines, too.

Playtime should be fun for both you and your baby as it gives him an opportunity to work on important skills. Here are a few ideas to keep in mind:

• Let him play with soft blocks or other stackable toys to help improve his coordination and motor skills. At this stage, 12-month-old baby toys don't need to be sophisticated or pricey: Sometimes household items like bowls are just as interesting to him as fancy, big-ticket items.

• Play peekaboo together. This simple game provides endless entertainment for your baby, and it helps him understand object permanence, the idea that objects continue to exist even when we can't see them.

• Development experts recommend restricting screen time and access to digital devices for your baby's first two years. Be careful with “background media,” such as your phone and the television, as anything that has your attention takes attention away from your baby. It's a good idea to put down your phone and switch off the television when your baby is awake as much as possible. Learn more about optimal screen time for babies and young children and how to make wise choices as a family.

Feeding Your 12-Month-Old Baby

After your baby's first birthday, you can start to introduce him to cow's milk — either whole milk or reduced fat (2 percent) milk — and phase out formula. You can, however, continue to breastfeed on demand if your baby wants to do so. To start the transition from formula to cow's milk, simply replace bottles or sippy cups of formula with bottles of cow's milk. Start offering cow's milk gradually, working up to 2 and 3 cups of milk each day. If you notice any symptoms like hives, wheezing, vomiting, or diarrhea within hours or days of your baby's first taste of cow's milk, contact your baby's healthcare provider, who may conduct some tests to determine if your baby has a milk allergy.

He may also be less interested in baby foods now and more interested in what’s happening and being eaten at the family dinner table, so you could start to offer him more foods with different flavors and textures, and share some of your meals with him, whether that's small pieces of steamed veggies or pieces of pasta. Just make sure any adult food is unseasoned (babies don't need salt) and mashed or cut into pieces to prevent choking hazards.

You're probably also noticing that he's getting better at working with finger foods and feeding himself, making mealtimes a bit less messy. If he doesn't seem particularly excited about a new food, keep in mind it can take as many as 10 to 15 attempts before a child can truly decide whether or not he likes a certain food or flavor.

Now that your baby is enjoying a wider variety of foods, including cow's milk, you may notice the frequency and consistency of his poopy diapers will change. Don't worry unless he has diarrhea or shows signs of constipation, which can include hard stools, or if he shows signs of distress when making a bowel movement if he's constipated, and a greater liquid content if he has diarrhea. It's great if he's enjoying new foods, but keep in mind about half of his caloric intake should still come from breast milk or formula (about 24 ounces per day), while the rest can come from his new favorite table foods.

If you haven't already, now is a great time to download the Pampers Club app. Earn rewards for your Pampers purchases like gifts, gift cards, and coupons.

How Much Sleep Does a 12-Month-Old Baby Need?

At this age, your baby needs between 12 and 16 hours of sleep each day, which includes two daytime naps that can last between 30 minutes and two hours each. With any luck, she's sleeping for longer stretches at night, although if she's experiencing separation anxiety, she may be waking and crying from time to time.

To help you both get through these more challenging nights, here are a few tips for 12-month-old baby sleep success:

• Stick to your bedtime routines. A bath, a story, and a lullaby are a few good soothing options, and it's helpful to try to do these activities at the same time every day, as consistency is often key to a good night's sleep.

• Let her try to settle herself. If your baby wakes in the night, give her a few minutes to try to get herself back to sleep before you rush to her side.

• Offer gentle reassurance. If she's upset in the night, you can offer some comforting words and do a quick diaper check. Don't turn on the lights and don't pick her up, and over time she'll learn to go back to sleep on her own.

A Day in the Life of Your Baby

Every baby and every family is different, but here's a look at what you could include with a 12-month-old baby in the house.

Your Baby's Health: Breathing and Allergy Issues

From chronic conditions to temporary bouts of indigestion, there are a variety of ailments that could affect your baby. She may struggle digesting some of the new foods she's enjoying, and you may also notice some reactions to her environment, like sneezing or other allergy-like symptoms. The following are a few conditions to watch for:

• Diarrhea and constipation. With all these new foods your baby is enjoying, including the possible addition of cow's milk to her diet, you may notice occasional diarrhea or constipation. If she cries when making a bowel movement or her stools seem hard, this can indicate constipation, so contact your baby's healthcare provider, who may suggest giving her extra water or fruit juice to help with hydration and soften her stools. It's especially important to let your baby's healthcare provider know if constipation comes with vomiting or fever.

• Asthma. This chronic condition occurs when the airways in the lungs are inflamed and constricted. Asthma causes a distinct wheezing sound, usually at night or in the early morning hours. There may be a link to allergies, although it can even strike children with no known allergies. Asthma attacks are more likely when a child has a respiratory infection, like a cold, and can also be triggered by stress. It's a complex condition and symptoms can vary significantly from person to person. Contact your baby's healthcare provider if your baby has any wheezing episodes. Your provider can make a diagnosis and give you advice on how to confidently handle these episodes in the future.

• Hay fever. A runny nose and red, itchy eyes are a few of the common symptoms of hay fever (or allergic rhinitis), which is a reaction to allergens like pollen, dust, mold, or pet hair. Although it has symptoms similar to those of a common cold, there are a few differences. With hay fever, you may notice a clear discharge from the nose, coughing, nosebleeds, dark circles under the eyes, and persistent throat clearing. If you suspect your baby may have hay fever, which tends to run in families, consult your baby's healthcare provider for a diagnosis and treatment options.

Your Life as a Parent: Creating Lasting Memories

You likely have an array of pictures of your little one on your phone, but have you considered turning those snapshots into a more lasting memory? Consider making a scrapbook, photo book, memory box, or other keepsakes to help you document and remember your baby's first year. Maybe you've kept your baby's hospital ID bracelet from when she was born, or you've been hanging onto a lock of hair from that very first haircut. Unique keepsakes like this are ideal to include; don't forget to add pictures of yourself and other family members from their time together with your baby. Here are some other ideas to help you mark this special birthday. First Birthday Fun Gearing up for your little one's first birthday bash? It's an exciting milestone, and you'll certainly want to celebrate with your loved ones. One way to start the planning is by choosing a theme. You can go with a seasonal theme, so a garden party for your spring baby, or a festival fall theme for your fall baby. Or, you can take a cue from your baby's interests, and plan your theme around animals, cars, or anything else that catches your baby's attention. Once you have a theme in mind, it will make choosing invitations and decorations a bit easier. Then, consider your guest list: Will you keep it intimate and invite just close relatives and friends? Or will you plan a bigger party with neighbors, coworkers, and all their families, too? It's up to you what you choose, but the most important thing is to take lots of pictures, enjoy the day, and celebrate how far you've come as a parent and as a family!

The Tale of Twelve Months - Samuil Marshak, read online

Slovak fairy tale revised by S. Marshak

Do you know how many months there are in a year?

Twelve.

What are their names?

January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December.

As soon as one month ends, another immediately begins. And it has never happened before that February came before January left, and May would overtake April.

Months go one after another and never meet.

But people say that in the mountainous country of Bohemia there was a girl who saw all twelve months at once.

How did this happen? That's how.

In a small village there lived an evil and miserly woman with her daughter and stepdaughter. She loved her daughter, but her stepdaughter could not please her in any way. Whatever the stepdaughter does - everything is wrong, no matter how she turns - everything is in the wrong direction.

My daughter spent whole days lying on a featherbed and eating gingerbread, and her stepdaughter had no time to sit down from morning to night: either bring water, or bring brushwood from the forest, or rinse the linen on the river, or weed the beds in the garden. nine0003

She knew winter cold, summer heat, spring wind, and autumn rain. That is why, perhaps, she once had a chance to see all twelve months at once.

It was winter. It was the month of January. There was so much snow that it was necessary to shovel it from the doors, and in the forest on the mountain the trees stood waist-deep in snowdrifts and could not even sway when the wind blew over them.

People sat in houses and stoked stoves.

At such and such a time, in the evening, the evil stepmother opened the door ajar, looked at how the blizzard was sweeping, and then returned to the warm stove and said to her stepdaughter:

— You should go to the forest and pick snowdrops there. Tomorrow is your sister's birthday.

The girl looked at her stepmother: is she joking or is she really sending her to the forest? It's scary now in the forest! And what snowdrops in the middle of winter! Before March, they will not be born, no matter how much you look for them. Only you will disappear in the forest, you will get bogged down in snowdrifts. And the sister says to her:

— Even if you disappear, no one will cry for you! Go and don't come back without flowers. Here's a basket for you.

The girl began to cry, wrapped herself in a tattered scarf and left the door.

The wind powders her eyes with snow, tears her handkerchief. She walks, barely pulling her legs out of the snowdrifts.

It's getting darker all around. The sky is black, it does not look at the earth with a single star, and the earth is a little lighter. It's from the snow.

Here is the forest. It's so dark in here you can't see your hands. The girl sat down on a fallen tree and sits. All the same, he thinks where to freeze.

And suddenly a light flashed far between the trees, as if a star had become entangled among the branches. nine0003

A girl got up and went to the light. Drowning in snowdrifts, climbs over a windbreak. “If only,” he thinks, “the light does not go out!” And it does not go out, it burns brighter and brighter. Already there was a smell of warm smoke, and it became audible how brushwood crackles in the fire. The girl quickened her pace and went out into the clearing. Yes, it froze.

Light in the clearing, as if from the sun. In the middle of the clearing, a large fire burns, almost reaches the very sky. And people are sitting around the fire - some are closer to the fire, some are farther away. They sit and talk quietly. nine0003

A girl looks at them and thinks: who are they? They don’t seem to look like hunters, even less like lumberjacks: they look so smart - some in silver, some in gold, some in green velvet.

She began to count, she counted twelve: three old, three elderly, three young, and the last three were still boys. The young sit near the fire, and the old sit at a distance.

And suddenly one old man turned around - the tallest, bearded, eyebrows - and looked in the direction where the girl was standing. nine0003

She was frightened, she wanted to run away, but it was too late. The old man asks her loudly:

— Where did you come from, what do you need here? The girl showed him her empty basket and said:

- I need to collect snowdrops in this basket. The old man laughed:

— Is it snowdrops in January? Wow what did you think!

— I didn’t make it up, — the girl answers, — but my stepmother sent me here for snowdrops and didn’t tell me to return home with an empty basket.

Then all twelve looked at her and began to talk among themselves.

A girl is standing, listening, but she doesn't understand the words - as if it's not people talking, but trees rustling.

They talked, talked and fell silent.

And the tall old man turned around again and asked:

— What will you do if you don't find snowdrops? After all, before the month of March, they will not look out.

“I will stay in the forest,” the girl says. I'll be waiting for the month of March. It’s better for me to freeze in the forest than to return home without snowdrops. nine0003

Said this and cried.

And suddenly one of the twelve, the youngest, cheerful, in a fur coat on one shoulder, got up and approached the old man:

— Brother January, give me your seat for an hour! The old man stroked his long beard and said:

- I would give in, but Mart would not come before February.

— All right, — grumbled another old man, all shaggy, with a disheveled beard. Give in, I won't argue! We all know her well: either you will meet her at the hole with buckets, or in the forest with a bundle of firewood. All months it has its own. We must help her. nine0003

“Well, have it your way,” January said. He hit the ground with his ice staff and spoke:

Don't crackle, frosts,

In the reserved forest,

By the pine, by the birch

Don't gnaw the bark!

Enough of you crows

Freeze,

Human habitation

Cool down!

The old man fell silent, and it became quiet in the forest. The trees stopped crackling from the frost, and the snow began to fall thickly, in large, soft flakes.

- Well, now it's your turn, brother, - said January and gave the staff to his younger brother, shaggy February. He banged his staff, shook his beard and roared:

Winds, storms, hurricanes,

Blow as much as you can!

Whirlwinds, blizzards and snowstorms,

Play around by night!

Blow loudly in the clouds,

Wind over the earth.

Let the snow run in the fields

Like a white snake!

As soon as he said this, a stormy, wet wind rustled in the branches. Snowflakes swirled, white whirlwinds rushed across the ground. And February gave his ice staff to his younger brother and said:

— Now it's your turn, brother Mart. The younger brother took the staff and hit the ground. The girl looks, and this is no longer a staff. This is a large branch, all covered with buds.

March grinned and sang loudly, in all his boyish voice:

Run away, streams,

Spread, puddles,

Get out, ants,

After the winter cold!

Bear makes his way

Through the deadwood.

The birds began to sing songs,

And the snowdrop blossomed. nine0003

The girl even threw up her hands. Where did the high drifts go? Where are the ice icicles that hung on every branch?

She has soft spring earth under her feet. Around dripping, flowing, murmuring. The buds on the branches are puffed up, and the first green leaves are already peeking out from under the dark peel.

The girl looks - she can't see enough.

— Why are you standing there? - Mart tells her. - Hurry up, my brothers gave us only one hour.

The girl woke up and ran into the thicket to look for snowdrops. And they are invisible! Under the bushes and under the stones, on the bumps and under the bumps - wherever you look. She took a full basket, a full apron - and rather again to the clearing, where the fire was burning, where the twelve brothers were sitting. nine0003

And there is no fire, no brothers: It's bright in the meadow, but not as before. The light is not from the fire, but from the full moon that has risen above the forest.

The girl regretted that there was no one to thank her and ran home. And the month swam after her.

Not feeling her feet under her, she ran to her door - and as soon as she entered the house, a winter blizzard hummed again outside the windows, and the moon hid in clouds.

— Well, what, — her stepmother and sister asked, — have you already returned home? Where are the snowdrops? nine0003

The girl didn't answer anything, she just poured snowdrops out of her apron onto the bench and put the basket next to her.

The stepmother and sister gasped:

— But where did you get them?

The girl told them everything as it happened. They both listen and shake their heads - they believe and do not believe. It's hard to believe, but there's a whole bunch of snowdrops on the bench, fresh, blue ones. So it blows from them in the month of March!

The stepmother and daughter looked at each other and asked:

— Haven't months given you anything more? nine0003

- I didn't ask for anything else.

— What a fool, such a fool! - says the sister. - For once, I met with all the twelve months, but I didn’t beg for anything but snowdrops! Well, if I were you, I'd know what to ask. One has apples and sweet pears, another has ripe strawberries, a third has white mushrooms, a fourth has fresh cucumbers!

- Good girl, daughter! - says the stepmother. - In winter, there is no price for strawberries and pears. We would sell it and how much money would we get. And this fool dragged snowdrops! Get dressed, daughter, warmly and go to the clearing. They won’t let you through, even though there are twelve of them, and you are alone. nine0003

— Where are they! - the daughter answers, and she herself - hands in sleeves, a scarf on her head.

Her mother shouts after her:

— Put on mittens, fasten your fur coat!

And my daughter is already outside the door. Run away into the woods!

Follows in her sister's footsteps, in a hurry. “It would be faster,” he thinks, “to get to the clearing!”

The forest is getting thicker and darker. The snowdrifts are higher and higher, it stands like a windbreak wall.

“Oh,” the stepmother's daughter thinks, “why did I go into the forest! I would lie at home in a warm bed now, but now go and freeze! You'll still be lost here!" nine0003

And as soon as she thought this, she saw a light in the distance, as if a star had become entangled in the branches.

She went to the fire. She walked and walked and went out into the clearing. In the middle of the clearing a large fire is burning, and around the fire twelve brothers are sitting for twelve months. They sit and talk quietly.

The stepmother's daughter came up to the very fire, did not bow, did not say a friendly word, but chose a place where it was hotter, and began to warm herself.

The brother-months fell silent. It became quiet in the forest. And suddenly the month of January struck the ground with his staff. nine0003

— Who are you? he asks. - Where did it come from?

“From home,” the stepmother’s daughter answers. “Today you gave my sister a whole basket of snowdrops. So I followed in her footsteps.

“We know your sister,” says the month of January, “but we haven’t even seen you. Why did you complain to us?

- For gifts. Let June, the month, pour strawberries into my basket, but larger. And July is the month of fresh cucumbers and white mushrooms, and the month of August is apples and sweet pears. And September is the month of ripe nuts. A October:

“Wait a minute,” says the month of January. - Do not come summer before spring, and spring before winter. Far from June. I am now the master of the forest, I will reign here for thirty-one days.

- Look how angry! - says the stepmother's daughter. - Yes, I did not come to you - from you, except for snow and hoarfrost, you will not expect anything. I need the summer months.

The month of January frowned.

— Look for summer in winter! - He speaks.

He waved his wide sleeve, and a blizzard rose in the forest from the ground to the sky - it covered both the trees and the clearing on which the brother-months were sitting. Behind the snow, even the fire was not visible, but only a fire was heard whistling somewhere, crackling, blazing. nine0003

Stepmother's daughter got scared.

Stop it! - shouts. - Enough!

Yes, where is it!

Her blizzard is circling, her eyes are blinding, her spirit is intercepted. She fell into a snowdrift, and covered her with snow.

And the stepmother waited and waited for her daughter, looked out the window, ran out the door - she was not there, and nothing more. She wrapped herself warmly and went into the forest. Can you really find someone in the thicket in such a snowstorm and darkness!

She walked, walked, searched and searched, until she herself froze. nine0003

So they both stayed in the forest to wait for the summer.

And the stepdaughter lived a long time in the world, grew up big, got married and raised children.

And she had, they say, a garden near the house - and such a wonderful one, such as the world has never seen. Earlier than everyone else, flowers bloomed in this garden, berries ripened, apples and pears poured. In the heat it was cool there, in a snowstorm it was quiet.

— They stay with this hostess all twelve months at once! people said.

Who knows - maybe that's how it was. nine0003

How to calculate the age of a dog by human standards: table

By human standards, dogs have a very short life - about 15-16 years. Due to a different constitution, animals develop faster. In such a short time, they go through the same stages of development as people - from birth and infancy (sucking period) to old age. At the same time, the boundaries of the stages are rather arbitrary, since the rate of maturation depends on many factors.

Peculiarities of growing up dogs

The breed determines the lifespan of dogs, but only in part. Of greater importance is the weight of the pet. Representatives of one category, for example, animals of small breeds, live approximately the same number of years. But if we compare them with large ones, then the latter live less. Due to their large size and weight, they move less, get tired faster, their metabolism is slower, so the life of Labradors and Shepherds, for example, is shorter than that of pugs and Pekingese.

It turns out that representatives of small breeds have a higher chance of longevity, but not everything is clear here either. By providing a dog (whatever its breed) with good nutrition and quality care, its owner helps to prolong its life. nine0003

Although the lifespan of all pets is different, they reach sexual maturity at the same time - by 1 year. The age of the dog by human standards at this time is 14-15 years, that is, adolescence. Further, for each breed, the “timer” of life works differently: small ones age more slowly, and large ones faster. So, by the age of 16, a pug, if he were a man, becomes an 80-year-old old man, a pointer - 87 years old, and a labrador retriever - a 100-102-year-old old man.

Why do you need to know how old a dog is

The rate of development of a dog is genetically determined. To create comfortable living conditions for the dog, the owner must know exactly its age. Even beginners know that at different periods of life, the requirements for nutrition and maintenance of the animal are very different: around 7-12 months. The calorie content of food also depends on age: high-calorie food is harmful to old dogs, since all life processes, including metabolism, slow down after 8 years. From 5 to 12 months, nutrition should be balanced, and its energy value should correspond not only to age, but also to the temperament and lifestyle of the dog. These are the main conditions for the pet to properly form physically and learn all the social skills. nine0268

In the first months of life, pets live at home. From about 3-4 months, walking on the street becomes an obligatory part of the daily regimen. Their duration varies from 1.5 to 3 hours depending on the breed (large dogs need to walk longer in order to "have time" to spend the calories received from food). With age, the physical activity of pets fades away, respectively, and the need for long walks is lower.

Neglect of the age-related features of nutrition and maintenance of pets can lead to defects in the formation of the skeleton, digestive organs, cardiovascular and nervous systems of the animal, negatively affects the behavior, mental abilities of the pet. nine0003

Methods for determining the age of a dog

Veterinarians and biologists have repeatedly set out to create a formula for calculating the age of a dog in relation to a human, but it gave incorrect results. The thing is that a simple mathematical calculation does not take into account the peculiarities of the development of animals.

Mathematical method

Initially, the coefficient of "superiority" of a man over a dog was 7 years. This figure was obtained by dividing the average age of people - 70 years, by the average age of pets - 10-12 years. It turned out that a one-year-old animal was equal in terms of development to a 7-year-old child, and a 2-year-old dog was equal to a 14-year-old teenager. nine0003

Why is this formula not correct? By the end of the first year of life, dogs are physiologically capable of reproducing offspring, and the human body reaches this level of development only by the age of 14-15.

Lebo's theory

A more accurate method was proposed by A. Lebo, a veterinarian from France. When determining the age of dogs, not only life expectancy indicators were compared, but also the features of the physical and psycho-emotional development of domestic animals. The fallacy of the theory turned out to be that, starting from 2 years old, dogs, according to Lebo, aged 4 “human” years every year, and this is not at all the case. Such arithmetic is characteristic only of representatives of small breeds:

The French veterinarian made his conclusions based on the study of the physiology of several hundred dogs. However, he did not take into account their individual data and conditions of detention, while these factors dramatically affect not only the life expectancy of pets, but also their mental and physical abilities. nine0003

Kleiber's law

The closest thing to the truth was Max Kleiber, a Swiss biochemist who based his theory on the law of metabolism in animals. After a lot of experiments, he came to the conclusion that large animals live longer.

Everything would be fine, but with dogs this law works exactly in the opposite direction. St. Bernards and Labradors, contrary to Kleiber's metabolic law, live 10-12 years, and Pekingese - 14-16 years. At the same time, at the same time, their “human” age differs, and the older they get, the greater the difference in biological age:

But do not forget that every rule has exceptions. It has been scientifically proven that in the body of small breed dogs there are substances that slow down aging. It would seem that nature itself made sure that they lived a long time. But if the pet lives in difficult conditions, then he has little chance of surviving his “heavyweight” of the same age. nine0003

The conclusion suggests itself that it is possible to build a line of life for dogs in relation to ours only conditionally. Too many factors - genetics, environment, nutrition and other factors can reduce or, on the contrary, increase the period when a four-legged friend will be next to us.

Dog to human age ratio chart

We have presented the age of the dog in relation to the age of the human. The table shows that, for example, at 2 years old pets of small breeds by human standards are at the age of 23, and larger animals are physically developed in the same way as 28-29summer people. By the age of 5, the difference in development between dogs of different breeds is more noticeable and amounts to 3-4 years. At 10 years old, when all dogs have already entered the aging phase, small pets are still quite cheerful, medium-sized animals feel like people of retirement age, representatives of large breeds feel like 72-year-olds, and giants, by human standards, age up to 86 years .

When calculating the age of a dog by human standards, you need to remember about additional factors that affect the growth and development of the animal. Even in one group, the ratios may differ due to the characteristics of the breed, the genetic health of the parents, and the conditions of detention.

Methods for determining the age of dogs

Experienced dog breeders do not need to look at the pet's passport. They can determine its age based on a visual examination of the dog's teeth, eyes, coat, and musculature. nine0003

Teeth

Dental condition is the most reliable "marker" of a dog's age. The following parameters are evaluated:

• type of teeth - milk or permanent;
• thickness and color of tooth enamel;
• number of teeth.

Up to 2 years of age, the pet's teeth should be white: without black dots and inclusions. When examining the oral cavity, there is no unpleasant odor.

At the age of 2 to 5 years, the shine of the teeth fades, a slight wear of the incisors is noticeable. nine0003

Lack of teeth is a bad sign. In a healthy dog, the natural process of tooth loss begins no earlier than 10 years, and in pets of small breeds even later - from 13 years.

Eyes

Clear outlines, brilliance and brightness of the eyes indicate the young age of the dog. A “sad” look, tears, fading of the iris are characteristic of older animals. If such symptoms are diagnosed in a young pet, you need to urgently show it to the veterinarian. These signs are indicative of illness. nine0003

Wool

It is impossible to accurately determine the age of the dog by the condition of the coat, so this parameter must be taken into account in combination with the others. Wool is the most sensitive "marker" of a dog's health. Food allergies, seasonal shedding, changing hygiene products, illness, irregular care - all this can affect the condition of the coat.

Hair loss is sometimes observed in young pets, but gray hair, especially on the face, indicates an advanced age of the dog. nine0003

Musculature

By human standards, by the age of 1 year, dogs reach the development of a 14-15-year-old teenager. In the period from 1 to 2 years, the musculature of the animal is completely formed: this is noticeable by the distinct outlines of the croup, muscles on the legs and back, and a tucked-up abdomen. The pet radiates strength and vivacity - just like young people aged 25-29 years. Depending on the breed and state of health, the animal is in this form for up to 5-8 years. Miniature dogs maintain muscle tone longer than their larger counterparts in size and weight. This must be taken into account when determining the exact age of the pet. nine0003

Growth characteristics of dogs

Determining the age of a dog by visual signs will be biased if the growth characteristics of pets of different breeds are not taken into account.

Representatives of small breeds are finally formed by 6-8 months. Animals of medium size, for example, setters, German shepherds, some types of Spitz, grow up to 12 months, but the formation of muscle mass and bones is completed only at the age of 1.5-2 years. Large and giant dogs reach their standard sizes by the age of one and a half, but the proportionality of the physique appears much later - only by 2 years. Until that time, the pet looks and behaves like a teenager: his mood often changes out of place, he stops responding to commands, being overly playful. nine0003

Age specifics of dogs' behavior

Changes in the behavior of a pet speak clearly about the maturation of a pet. After 6 months of life, when the pet's teeth completely change, the puppies enter the maturation phase. This is immediately reflected in their behavioral habits: dogs stop chewing on shoes and furniture, obediently follow commands and learn new ones, become calmer on walks and alone.

Before weaning, changes in pet behavior occur at a very rapid pace:

• at the age of 15 days the puppy is still helpless;
• on the 18-20th day already knows how to see and hear, begins to run and get acquainted with the outside world;
• by the 3rd week, character traits appear - a leader, a homebody, a quiet person.

At the age of 1.5-3 months the puppy is ready for an independent life, that's why it is at this time that they try to give it to a new owner.

3-7 months - the stage of the final formation of psycho-emotional behavior. During this period, all the attention of the owner should be directed to the training and socialization of the pet. Cynologists say that in the future the character of the dog either does not change, or changes slightly, at the cost of enormous efforts on the part of the person. nine0003

Signs of aging in dogs

The fact that your pet has entered the aging phase can also be judged by some external signs:

• Muscle tone . Over the years, once active and strong animals become calmer, get tired faster on walks. Young dogs spend most of their time in motion, and as they age, the perpetual motion machine slows down, periods of sleep and peaceful lying on the mat become longer than daily runs in the park. Strong muscles, without proper training, lose their tone. Aging animals often suffer from obesity, due to a sedentary lifestyle, muscle atrophy develops. nine0268
• Quality and color of wool. In 8-9-year-old animals, the coat is no longer as shiny and silky as in 3-4-year-olds. Due to the slowdown in metabolism, it becomes harder, begins to fall out. By the age of 10, gray hair appears.
• Vision. In young pets, the eye color is very bright and saturated. Over the years, the eyes lose their brilliance, fade, some dogs see poorly or even go blind.
• Teeth. By about the age of 5, yellowness appears on the teeth, wear of the fangs is noticeable. By the age of 10-11, teeth begin to loosen and fall out. nine0268
• Leather. Dogs are clean by nature, so with regular care and nutrition, their skin retains elasticity and cleanliness for a long time. Approaching old age is accompanied by the appearance of calluses, inflammation at the site of accidental wounds
• Behavior. Old dogs almost completely lose interest in active games, can bark for no reason, refuse to eat and walk. In the last years of their lives, they have health problems (genetic diseases appear - obesity, arthritis, heart disease, diabetes). nine0268

On average, all pets show signs of aging by about 8 years of age. In addition, dogs, like humans, have chronic and congenital diseases that one or another breed is more prone to than others. Animals of large breeds suffer from heart disease, joint diseases, and obesity. Pets with a non-standard physique, for example, dachshunds, suffer from pain in the joints and spine with age. In dogs of small breeds, which literally burst with health at a young age, serious diseases of the cardiovascular system are often found. nine0003

The presence of congenital diseases once again confirms the theory that the breed fundamentally affects the age of the dog. When choosing a four-legged friend, you need to study in detail its features. The animal may not live to old age, but not because of the carelessness or inattention of the owner, but because of congenital health problems. At the same time, there are many examples when, thanks to the dedication and love of a person, seriously ill dogs live a long and happy life.

How to keep your dog young

When choosing a four-legged friend, every person should think about the other side of life with an animal. Without proper care, a dog's life is unlikely to be long and happy. Rather quite the opposite.

An ill-conceived, unbalanced diet leads to the fact that at the age of 5-6 the dog behaves like a 15-year-old. He is tormented by illness, fatigue, and all because in the active phase of growth, the animal's body did not receive enough substances necessary for health. nine0003

To keep your pet cheerful and cheerful for the rest of his life, remember a few rules:

• Health comes first: get vaccinated on time, especially in the first year of life, visit the veterinarian regularly to notice the development of the disease at an early stage. It has been proven that the toxic substances that accumulate in the human body with age are present in almost the same volume in the body of a dog that has lived with its owner in the same house for many years. At the same time, animals feel their negative impact much earlier and more severely than people. Veterinary check-ups are the easiest way to diagnose serious illnesses in your four-legged friend early. If the dog is sick, then it is worth going to the doctor for a consultation with its owner
• Feed the right way: give only good quality food, follow the feeding schedule, do not overfeed. Special dry food for older dogs helps to maintain the vitality of the pet. They contain a complex of vitamins and microelements that help curb the biological process of aging. Proper nutrition during this period has a beneficial effect on blood vessels, bones and the brain, and in fact prolongs the life of your pet.
• Walk daily and for a long time: 15-30 minutes for a dog is not enough to throw out the energy accumulated during the day. Walks should be long - at least 2-3 hours a day, preferably after each feeding. nine0268
• Comb every day: it is necessary not only for the beauty of the coat. So you give your pet a massage that promotes blood circulation. Your pet's skin will always be healthy, and the coat thick and shiny.

Remember that having a dog in the house lengthens a person's life by at least 2 years.

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