A drug that can prolong the life of large dogs has been approved.

Have dog Large breed dogs require plenty of space, as well as special care as they get older, as science warns they are more likely to die at a younger age than smaller dogs.

The reason large breed dogs tend to live shorter lives is because they are more likely to develop cancer at a younger age than small breed dogs.

Besides, big dogs They suffer from more degenerative problems that eventually seriously affect their health when they are old by large breed standards (8-13 years old).

Research conducted in Colgate University of New York suggests that large breed dogs live shorter lives due to free radicals and a lack of antioxidant production in their bodies, which causes the deterioration of their cell membranes and accelerates the aging process.

According to the American Kennel Club, small dogs can live three times longer than short-lived giant breeds.

Drug approved to prolong the life of large dogs

Therefore, there is encouraging news for owners of large breed dogs such as Great Dane, or St. Bernard, or German Shepherd.

Animal pharmaceutical company Loyal announced that the US FDA has approved the development of a drug that could extend the lifespan of large and giant breed dogs.

Code name of the drug is LOY-001. In a blog post published today, Celia Haliua, founder and CEO of Loyal, said the company has secured FDA approval for the drug. “In regulatory language,” Haliua wrote, “we have completed the technical effectiveness portion of our application for conditional approval for the use of LOY-001 to prolong the life of large dogs.”

Breeding large dogs for size caused increased levels of IGF-1, a hormone that promotes cell growth, Haliua reported. Although this hormone helps animals grow in size, it also speeds up their aging. LOY-001 reduces IGF-1 levels in large and giant breed dogs, extending healthy lifespan.

The medication is an injection given by your veterinarian every three to six months. Loyal is also developing a pill that will solve the same problem, codenamed LOY-003. According to the statement, LOY-001 could hit store shelves in 2026, pending FDA approval of the data Loyal provided to them.