Purina Study: Lean Labradors Lived 1.8 Years Longer
St. Louis – October 12, 2026 -- Labrador Retrievers kept lean from puppyhood lived a median of 1.8 years longer than heavier matched littermates, according to findings from the 14-year Purina Life Span Study, which the Purina Institute is revisiting on the study's 25th anniversary.
Lean-fed dogs reached a median life span of 13.0 years versus 11.2 years for controls
The study followed 48 Labrador Retrievers from seven litters. Each pair of matched littermates received the same complete and balanced diet, but one dog was fed 25% less food than its sibling to maintain lean body condition. The sibling served as the control. The Purina Institute describes it as the first-ever canine lifelong dietary study.
The 1.8-year gap equals a 15% extension in median life span. Lean-fed dogs also stayed free of treatment for age-related chronic conditions for longer, reaching 12.0 years before treatment was required versus 9.9 years for control-fed dogs.