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Medical Oddities: Dogs share our mortality markers

The bond with dogs runs deeper, the brain enjoys a good sweat, love on screen gets real, and tea carries a little more weight.

  • By

  • Teraya Smith

  • September 2, 2026

  • 5 min

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Clinical Report: Dogs Share Our Mortality Markers

Overview

A longitudinal analysis from the Dog Aging Project reveals that 17% of plasma metabolites in dogs are associated with all-cause mortality. Notably, 64% of overlapping metabolites also show mortality associations in humans.

Background

Understanding mortality markers in companion animals like dogs can provide insights into aging and health in both species. The Dog Aging Project's findings may enhance our understanding of shared biological processes related to mortality.

Data Highlights

MetaboliteAssociation with Mortality
PseudouridineHigher levels linked to mortality
N2-dimethylguanosineHigher levels linked to mortality
HomocitrullineHigher levels linked to mortality
DeoxycarnitineLower levels linked to mortality
HomoarginineLower levels linked to mortality

Key Findings

  • 17% of plasma metabolites in dogs are associated with all-cause mortality.
  • 23 metabolites met the statistical significance threshold in the study.
  • 104 dogs died during an average follow-up of 2.6 years.
  • 64% of overlapping metabolites showed mortality associations in both dogs and humans.
  • Several metabolites linked to renal function and aging biology were identified.

Clinical Implications

The identification of shared mortality markers between dogs and humans may facilitate further research into aging and health.

Conclusion

The findings from the Dog Aging Project highlight the associations between mortality markers in dogs and humans.

Related Resources & Content

  1. Dog Aging Project, The Journals of Gerontology, 2026 -- Dogs Share Our Mortality Markers
  2. A multi-metabolite signature robustly predicts long-term mortality in the PREDIMED trial and several US cohorts, PubMed, 2026 -- Multi-Metabolite Signature
  3. An Expert Consensus Statement on Biomarkers of Aging for Use in Intervention Studies, PMC, 2025 -- Expert Consensus on Aging Biomarkers
  4. MDSpire News — Medical Oddities: Dog Kisses with Salmonella, Flying Humans, Parents Have Favorites
  5. the pathologist — A Man’s Best Friend
  6. the pathologist — Doggy Diagnostics
  7. The ASCO Post — Yet Another Reason Why Dogs Are Our Best Friends
  8. Medical Oddities: Dog Kisses with Salmonella, Flying Humans, Parents Have Favorites
  9. A Man’s Best Friend
  10. Doggy Diagnostics
  11. Dogs and humans share biomarkers of mortality - PubMed
  12. A multi-metabolite signature robustly predicts long-term mortality in the PREDIMED trial and several US cohorts - PubMed
  13. An Expert Consensus Statement on Biomarkers of Aging for Use in Intervention Studies - PMC

Original Source(s)

Medical Oddities: Dogs share our mortality markers

  • by Teraya Smith

  • September 2, 2026

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