Would You Give Your Dog an Anti-Ageing Pill? The Science Says…

Would You Give Your Dog an Anti-Ageing Pill? The Science Says…

What if your dog could live three years longer — or even forever?

It sounds like science fiction, but it’s closer to reality than you might think. Researchers are working on ways to extend the lives of our dogs — not just adding years, but extending their quality of life too.

From anti-ageing pills to repurposed human drugs, these breakthroughs could change how we care for and connect with our pets. But even if they succeed, one thing won’t change:

We’ll still want to honour our dogs.
We’ll still want to remember them.
And we’ll still look for ways to make their love last beyond their lifetime.

🧬 The Science That Could Help Dogs Live Longer

In the US, biotech company Loyal is developing a drug called LOY-002, a beef-flavoured daily pill aimed at giving senior dogs at least one extra year of healthy life. It works by targeting the metabolic changes linked to ageing — reducing frailty and improving vitality.

It’s not the only research in the field.

The Dog Aging Project, led by scientists at the University of Washington, is testing rapamycin — a human drug that has already been shown to extend lifespan in mice. In dogs, it’s being studied for its potential to improve heart function, cognition, and longevity.

“We’re not making immortal dogs,” Loyal founder Celine Halioua told The Guardian. “We’re slowing the rate of ageing.”

With dogs sharing our homes, diets, and even diseases, scientists believe they’re ideal candidates for testing longevity treatments that may eventually help humans, too.

🧪 What This Means for Dog Owners

The promise of extra years is deeply emotional — and deeply human. We all want more time with our pets. More walks. More greetings at the door. More of the little moments that make them feel like family.

But here’s the truth: even with an extra year or three, it will never feel like enough.

This is where the story shifts — from science to sentiment. Because while medicine may add years, memory is what carries them forward.

🎨 Why We Immortalise Dogs — No Matter How Long They Live

Even as researchers work to delay ageing, dog owners continue to find ways to honour the pets they’ve loved — and lost.

For many, that means commissioning pet portraits from photos. Not just for those who have passed, but to celebrate the dogs they still have. The ones who nap in the sun, chase squirrels in the park, or simply keep them company in quiet moments.

At Dog Artists, every painting is hand-crafted in oil on canvas. Whether it’s a noble Labrador in uniform or a gentle spaniel in Renaissance dress, these portraits go beyond a picture — they’re tributes.

We’ve painted dogs just weeks before their final goodbye, and others still full of energy. In both cases, the message is the same:

“This dog mattered. This love mattered.”

🖼️ Portraits Aren’t About Grief. They’re About Legacy.

Dogs may one day live longer, and we hope they do. But the portraits we create aren’t about mourning what’s lost — they’re about celebrating what was shared.

They’re reminders. Heirlooms. A way to turn a moment into something permanent.

Even if science gives us more years, we’ll still want something to hold onto once they’re gone.
Something to smile at on the wall.
Something to show future children, friends, and guests.

Something that says: “They were here, and they were loved.”

🐾 Until Then, We’ll Keep Remembering

Science is catching up.
Love never needed to.

Until longevity drugs become the norm, and even after they do, we’ll keep doing what we’ve always done:

Immortalising dogs — not with medicine, but with meaning.

Explore our pet portraits from photos

Want to Learn More About Dog Artists?

At Dog Artists, we create hand-painted pet portraits that turn your pet into something truly unforgettable — whether that’s a noble in a velvet coat or a loyal general in full uniform. Every painting is based on your favourite photo and crafted in oil by skilled artists who know how to capture your dog’s personality in every brushstroke.

Explore our most popular portrait styles:

• Renaissance Pet Portraits – Perfect for dogs with noble energy
• Royal Pet Portraits – For pets destined for the throne
• Dogs in Uniform Paintings – Military, naval, and historical themes

🧾 Sources

• Loyal for Dogs – Longevity biotech
• Dog Aging Project – University of Washington
• The Guardian – Scientists explore longevity drugs for dogs