The average lifespan for a dog in the UK is 11.2 years – but in Japan, dogs are living almost three years longer. In Japan, ‘super senior’ pets are living as long as 14.1 years and experts say diet could be the key.
By focusing on what you’re feeding your pets, you could not only see a surge in how long they are living, but their quality of life. Dr Aimee Warner, resident veterinarian at Waggel, said: “It’s a shift away from the ‘open-the-bag-and-hope’ method of cheap, ultra-processed kibble. Instead, we’re seeing owners add specific, bio-active ingredients like frozen blueberries and plain eggs that act as a biological insurance policy for a dog’s senior years.”
If you want to try some of the things that make this diet so popular, Dr Warner has some recommendations. The first is a simple swap from super processed dog treats to something more natural. Frozen blueberries are a great example.
She said: “Blueberries are packed with anthocyanins, which can cross the blood-brain barrier to reduce oxidative stress,” says Dr Warner.
A handful of frozen blueberries is a low-calorie, high-antioxidant swap for sugary, processed biscuits.
Another thing that Japanese people do for their dogs is to add an unusual source of protein. A plain boiled egg as a topper on your dog’s dinner can be a real boost.
Dr Warner said: “Eggs provide essential lecithin and amino acids that support muscle retention in older dogs. It’s the ultimate ‘topper’ to upgrade a standard meal without the additives found in commercial wet toppers.”
Dr Warner also recommends ditching filler heavy kibble for a fresher alternative.
She said: “Cheap kibble often relies on cereals and ‘animal derivatives,’ which can lead to inflammation and obesity. Japanese owners are increasingly opting for fresh, steamed, or air-dried alternatives that mirror a human-grade diet.”
It might not be all diet, however – Japan has a higher number of smaller and medium sized breeds which tend to live longer than larger dogs. But Dr Warner said that this doesn’t mean diet is irrelevant.
She explained: “Diet and body condition are two of the biggest modifiable factors we see in practice. Across all breeds, dogs maintained at a lean weight and fed lower-inflammation diets consistently live longer and develop chronic disease later.”
If you want to try these diet changes for your dog, be aware that you need to keep it simple. Dr Warner said: “Owners should avoid seasoning — never add salt, butter, or garlic — and account for toppers within daily calories to prevent obesity, the biggest threat to UK dog longevity. As a rule of thumb, treats and toppers should never make up more than 10% of a dog’s daily diet.”