Nestlé develops algorithm to uncover dogs' bio age

Research conducted by Nestlé scientists shows that a specifically developed algorithm for biological age could predict the overall health trajectory of dogs. Scientists developed and verified the algorithm by leveraging and analysing existing research data collected from various studies over the last 12 years.

This algorithm takes into account different factors such as changes in certain routine blood markers, fasting glucose and kidney functions that together can predict biological age. Taking these data, the algorithm is then used to determine an individual dog’s biological age as an indicator of health status and lifespan relative to its chronological age.

Pascal Steiner, director of petcare nutrition at Nestlé Research, said: “Biological age in pets can be an important indicator of overall health, reflecting the body’s functional aging compared to other animals of the same chronological age. Through our research we aim to explore how we can use existing scientific health data on dogs to better understand biological age and inform the innovation of science-based products and services to help improve health outcomes.”

The results of the study are published in the journal GeroScience.

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