A Birthday for Addie: How the Embark Age Test Helped Us Celebrate in a New Way
After we adopted Addie from a rescue, we learned so much about her from the Embark Breed + Health Dog DNA Test, which revealed her breed background. But I was itching to uncover even more! Although we adopted her as a puppy and had an idea of her age, finding out that Embark also had an Dog Age Test was a game-changer. I just knew I had to give it a try.
The results confirmed that Addie is just a little over two years old—right in line with what we had guessed. Yet seeing it written down felt like placing another puzzle piece in her story. And now, we have something truly special: Addie’s official birthday! The test estimated her birth date as July 31st, so that’s the day we’ll celebrate every year. It’s already becoming a family tradition we look forward to every summer.
How Knowing Addie’s Age Improved Her Care
Beyond giving us a reason to throw Addie a birthday party, the Embark Dog Age Test provided valuable insights that help us care for her. At two years old, Addie is right in her prime, so we’re focused on keeping her active, healthy, and mentally stimulated. Knowing her estimated age has enabled us to customize her care, from the type of food she eats to the kinds of exercises that best suit her energy level. And it’s comforting to know we’re doing everything we can to support her well-being at this exciting stage of her life.
Why Your Dog’s Age Matters
In addition to the fun of picking a birthday, having clarity on Addie’s estimated age has been critical for her health. Just like humans, dogs have different needs at different stages of life, and understanding where Addie stands helps us make smarter choices in her care. From planning her vet visits to adjusting her exercise routine, having that clear timeline has brought us peace of mind and improved Addie’s health and happiness.
When we first adopted Addie, we made an educated guess about her age, but there was always a little bit of doubt. Now, with the Embark Dog Age Test results, we feel more confident. Knowing Addie’s age has also helped us prepare for her life journey. For example, since we now know she’s two, we’re able to feed an appropriate diet, monitor her dental health as she matures, and stay proactive about detecting any early signs of age-related conditions. It’s like having a roadmap to guide us in caring for her through each stage of life.
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Health Tips for Every Life Stage
Since learning how helpful this information has been for us, we wanted to share some important health tips that every pet parent should know about caring for their dog (which varies depending on size and the rate at which they age) as well as different life stages.
Puppyhood (0-1 Year):
- Growth and Development: Puppies grow quickly and need a diet full of specific nutrients, so look for food made just for them to support healthy growth.
- Vaccinations: This is when core vaccines like rabies and distemper are crucial, so don’t miss any scheduled vet visits. Expect to visit the vet every few weeks for your puppy’s first 4-6 months of life.
- Training and Socialization: This is also the best time to start training. Focus on basic commands, crate training, and giving them positive experiences with new people, environments, and other dogs.
Young Adult (1-3 Years):
- Energy Levels: Dogs in this age range, like Addie, are often full of energy and require plenty of physical and mental exercise to stay balanced. Remember that dogs can’t cool themselves as efficiently as humans, so it’s important to watch them to make sure they don’t overheat!
- Nutrition: It’s time to switch from puppy food to adult food that matches your dog’s activity level to maintain a healthy weight.
- Routine Vet Care: Young adult dogs are generally healthy, but routine check-ups help monitor their weight, dental health, and overall well-being.
Middle Age (4-7 Years):
- Weight Management: As dogs enter middle age, their metabolism often slows down, so adjusting their food intake and weight monitoring is crucial.
- Exercise: Regular exercise remains important, though some dogs may need shorter or less intense activities.
- Preventative Health Care: Middle-aged dogs may start showing early signs of age-related issues, so keeping up with regular vet visits helps address any concerns early.
Senior Dogs (7+ Years):
- Joint Health: Joint issues, like arthritis, are common in older dogs. Adding joint supplements or switching to senior food may help.
- Regular Vet Visits: Senior dogs may need more frequent check-ups to monitor for age-related conditions like kidney disease, diabetes, or heart problems.
- Comfort and Care: Older dogs often benefit from supportive bedding, more frequent bathroom breaks, and, of course, lots of patience and love.
Starting a New Birthday Tradition (in addition to her Gotcha Day!)
Instead of showering Addie with all the gifts on her birthday (although she’ll get a few treats for sure!), we’re starting a new tradition. Every August, we’ll buy a variety of toys, treats, and cozy blankets—not just for Addie, but for the shelter dogs where we volunteer. This feels like the perfect way to honor Addie’s story, especially since she had a tough start before finding her forever home with us.
This tradition reminds us that shelter dogs deserve as much love and attention as any dog, and it brings a unique meaning to Addie’s celebration. It’s no longer just about us; it’s an opportunity to spread love and joy to other dogs still waiting for their families. And we’re excited to make it an annual part of Addie’s birthday celebration.
How Embark Helped Us Complete the Puzzle
The Embark Dog Age Test has truly been a gift in our journey with Addie. Beyond the fun of setting her birthday, it has provided us with information that enhances her care and our connection with her. Knowing both her breed and age has allowed us to give her more targeted support, keeping her happy, healthy, and engaged at each stage.
For pet parents who are curious about their own dog’s age, I highly recommend trying out the Embark Dog Age Test. Not only does it give you valuable insights into your dog’s needs, but it also adds another special layer to your pet’s life story.
Curious about trying an Embark Breed+Health Test for your dog? You can now get $65 off with code JOYDOGS, valid until 12/12.
Here’s to Addie, our now officially two-year-old pup, and to all the shelter dogs who will share in her birthday joy every July! 🎉