Lean-fed Labrador Retrievers, who received 25 percent less food than their littermates in the control group, lived a median of 15 percent (1.8 years) longer than control dogs. Median life span (the age at which 50 percent of the dogs in the group remained alive) was 11.2 years in the control group and 13.0 years in the lean-fed group.
In addition, treatment for certain health conditions was delayed in the lean-fed dogs. The median age at which 50 percent of the dogs required treatment for certain health conditions was 12.0 years among lean-fed dogs, compared to 9.9 years for the control group.
On average, the lean-fed dogs weighed less, had a lower percentage of body fat and experienced a two-year delay in the loss of lean body mass as they aged, compared to the control group.
Lean-fed dogs were observed by researchers to have fewer visible signs normally associated with aging such as graying muzzles than did control dogs.
Read on for more about the Body Condition System. Then see how your dog compares.