Anti-aging pill for dogs one step closer to reality as it's certified 'effective' by FDA. What does this mean for your budget?

There’s a famous quote that goes "the only thing 'wrong' with dogs is that they can't live forever." A dog’s lifespan can range anywhere from nine to 15 years on average, and when you consider a dog as part of the family, that’s just not enough time. But what if there was a pill that could extend your dog’s life? Good news — that pill just came one step closer to reality.

More time with our best friends

Loyal, a biotechnology startup focusing on canine health solutions, received a significant milestone on Wednesday, February 26, when the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted their new medication a "reasonable expectation of efficacy" certification.

Before veterinarians can begin prescribing this anti-aging treatment, the FDA must still verify its safety and confirm the company's ability to scale up manufacturing. Loyal expressed confidence in meeting these requirements, citing "extensive data" supporting both aspects, and projects receiving conditional FDA approval by the end of 2025.

The company is seeking FDA approval for their beef-flavored pill to be used in dogs that are at least 10 years old and weigh a minimum of 14 pounds. According to Loyal, the medication targets "metabolic health," which naturally deteriorates as dogs age.

While promising, the treatment does have limitations. Loyal indicates that the medication could extend a dog's healthy lifespan by at least one additional year (that’s seven dog years!).

Read More: A surprise trip to the vet can cost $1,000 or more. Don’t get caught off guard. See how pet insurance can ease the stress — and cost — of caring for fur babies. Protect yourself now

Next steps

Loyal plans to introduce its medication through the FDA's conditional approval pathway for animal drugs. This process permits companies to begin marketing treatments deemed safe and likely effective by the regulatory agency. Simultaneously, the company continues collecting additional evidence to conclusively demonstrate the drug's efficacy while it's already available to consumers.

There’s no word on how much the pill will cost pet parents, but Loyal said that it wants to make treatment accessible to as many dogs as possible, ideally for less than $100 per month.

How much more do I need to budget (if my dog lives longer)?

The average cost of owning a dog in Canada averages between $660 to $4,430 per year, depending on the breed you own. And if you consider your pet as part of your family, this added cost to keep your dog with you for another year is a drop in the bucket. But these are the senior years of your dog’s life and there are going to be added costs, including special dietary needs, supplements and more frequent vet visits. This means you would need to budget for the higher end of the cost spectrum. Be sure to take these factors into consideration when putting together a budget.