Benefits of Epigenetic Age Testing

Ever wondered about your pet's age and how it impacts their health? If you bought a puppy or kitten from a breeding kennel, you will most likely know their age already. That is usually not the case if you inherited or adopted a pet. You might have gotten an estimate from a vet that you rely on - but believe it or not, it is very difficult even for vets to determine the age of a dog or cat simply by looking at them. Our clients have often reported gaps as large as 5 years in non-DNA-based age estimation for their pets!

In the quest for answers, a revolutionary approach has emerged – epigenetic age testing for pets. In this post, we dive into the significance of understanding your furry friend's age and give you five reasons why it is important to know your pet’s age.

What is Epigenetic Age Testing?

Epigenetics, the study of changes in gene expression not due to changes in the DNA sequence, plays a pivotal role in the aging process. In particular, a molecule called DNA methylation is used for chronological age estimation, providing a nuanced understanding of how your pet is aging at a cellular level. Although Epigenetic age testing is technically offering an accurate glimpse into your pet's biological age, there are some areas of the genome that offer really accurate chronological age estimation (how old an animal really is).

Read more about how Epigenetic Pet Age Testing works and learn about the process for getting tested with EpiPaws.

5 Benefits of knowing Your pet’s correct age

1. Detect and treat age-related health Issues early
   By knowing how old your pet really is, you can help your vet stay on top of testing and even be able to diagnose new health symptoms that pop up as soon as possible. When health issues arise, timing is everything to start treatment right away.
2. Personalize the care and nutrition for your pet
   Knowing your pet's age enables tailored care plans. From age-specific nutrition to lifestyle adjustments, personalized care contributes to overall well-being and a healthier, more vibrant life.
3. Know how much exercise your pet should get
   Exercise contributes to overall well-being but the amount and type of exercise should change throughout your pet’s life. By knowing their age, you will know how to correctly tailor their exercise plan. Too much exercise could be detrimental to an older dog, and vice versa.
4. Improve longevity and quality of Life for your pet                                      By knowing your pet’s age and tailoring their care to be age-appropriate, you can significantly impact your pet's longevity and quality of life. Proactive measures can address specific age-related concerns, ensuring a happier and healthier companion for years to come. It’s all about keeping your pet as healthy as possible, and by increasing the health span (the amount of time they are disease-free) you can increase the lifespan (how long they are here with us).
5. Simply satisfy your curiosity
   Knowing your pet’s age allows you to satisfy your always-lingering question of how old your pet really is. It can provide an ease to your mind to know how many years you likely have left with them. Moreover, how great would it be to finally be able to give your pet a birthday and celebrate it in your family?

Ready to explore epigenetic age testing for your pet? Read more about and order the EpiPaws Pet Age Test here. Feel free to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments – are there any more benefits to knowing your beloved pet’s age?