Does My Dog Qualify for LOY-002?

Age and weight limits for every dog longevity drug, and what to do if your dog falls outside them.

By La Petite Labs Editorial 8 min read

As Seen On

Woman hugging a golden retriever while holding a Hollywood Elixir box
Contents

To fit LOY-002, a dog needs to be at least 10 years old and weigh 14 to 179 lb, and the drug still isn't available. Loyal says its drugs would be labeled for the same dogs studied in its trials. Under FDA rules, vets can't prescribe a conditionally approved drug off-label, so a dog outside the label would be left out. Dogs under 14 lb don't fit any current program. They still have options with real evidence behind them.

Here's which drug could fit your dog, why the limits exist, and what to do if yours falls outside them.

La Petite Labs publishes this guide and makes Hollywood Elixir, a dog supplement. We're not affiliated with Loyal.

Does my dog qualify for LOY-002?

Your dog fits the target group if they're at least 10 and weigh 14 to 179 lb. That's the range Loyal says it expects to support, and it matches the STAY study.12 No dog can get LOY-002 today, because it isn't approved.1

Fitting the range doesn't guarantee your dog would be a good candidate. The final label will set the exact rules, and your vet will weigh your dog's health and medications.

LOY-002 eligibility at a glance

LOY-002 target group
10 years and older, 14 to 179 lb
Available yet?
No; no Loyal drug can be bought or prescribed
Under 14 lb
Outside every Loyal program and TRIAD
Off-label use
Not allowed for conditionally approved animal drugs
Could the limits change?
Loyal says it hopes to expand access later, with no timeline
Trials open now
TRIAD by invitation only; STAY is full
Best step for any dog
Keep them lean: 1.8 years longer in a lifelong Labrador study

Which longevity drug could fit your dog?

Your dogLOY-002LOY-001LOY-003TRIAD (rapamycin)
Under 14 lb, any ageNoNoNoNo
14 to 39 lb, under 10Not until 10NoNoNo
14 to 39 lb, 10 or olderFitsNoNoNo
40 to 59 lb, under 7Not until 10Not until 7Not by weightNot until 7
40 to 59 lb, 7 to 9Not until 10FitsNot by weightFrom 44 lb
40 to 59 lb, 10 or olderFitsFitsNot by weightFrom 44 lb
60 lb or more, under 7Not until 10Not until 7From age 5Not until 7
60 lb or more, 7 to 9Not until 10FitsFitsUp to 121 lb
60 lb or more, 10 or olderFits (to 179 lb)FitsFitsUp to 121 lb

Competitor label and pricing facts checked November 6, 2026. Sources are listed in the References section below.

Woman holding a Hollywood Elixir box beside a pug, a terrier and a food bowl

Which longevity drug could fit my dog?

These are the groups each program is aimed at. "Fits" doesn't mean the drug is available. None of Loyal's drugs is, and TRIAD is invitation-only.134

Loyal's own pages differ on LOY-003: its products page says 5 years and 60 lb, and its vet FAQ says 7 years and 40 lb.13 The table uses the products page. Final labels will settle it.

Woman in sportswear holding a Hollywood Elixir box beside a black-and-tan dog outdoors

Can my vet prescribe LOY-002 if my dog is too young or too small?

Probably not, if it launches under conditional approval. The FDA doesn't allow off-label use of conditionally approved animal drugs, and vets can prescribe them only for labeled uses. Every label says that using the drug any other way is "a violation of Federal Law."5

Loyal says its drugs, if approved, will be labeled for the same groups studied in its effectiveness trials.1 So for LOY-002, that points to dogs 10 and older, 14 to 179 lb. The rule is different for fully approved drugs, which vets can use off-label under certain conditions.5 Full approval would take years more data.

Woman holding a Hollywood Elixir box above her forehead beside a Bernese mountain dog outdoors

Why does LOY-002 have age and weight limits?

Trials measure effectiveness in a chosen group. Loyal says it picked the dogs most likely to benefit within the length of the study.1 A lifespan study of 10-year-olds can finish years sooner than one of 4-year-olds, because older dogs reach the endpoint sooner.

So the limits reflect how the trial was built. They don't show that the drug would fail or harm a younger or smaller dog. Nobody has tested that, and without the data there's nothing to support a label that includes them. We couldn't find a public explanation of the 14 lb floor beyond this general reasoning.

Golden retriever nuzzling a woman holding a Hollywood Elixir box on the grass beside a food bowl

My dog is under 14 lb. What now?

No current program covers your dog. That includes Loyal's three drugs and the TRIAD trial.134 There's a bright side: small dogs are already the longest-lived. US data show life expectancy rising as dog size falls.6

Weight may matter especially in small dogs. In a study of 50,787 dogs across 12 breeds, overweight dogs had shorter lives in every breed. The biggest gap was in Yorkshire Terriers: 13.7 years for overweight dogs against 16.2 for normal-weight dogs.7 That's a link and not proof of cause, but it's the strongest lead a small-dog owner has. Start with our diet and dog longevity guide.

Dogs under 14 lb don't fit any current longevity drug program.

My dog is under 10. Should I wait for LOY-002?

Don't wait to act, because the useful steps start now. If your dog is between 14 and 179 lb, they'd enter LOY-002's target age at 10, so the drug may still be relevant later. Loyal hasn't confirmed a release date, and it expects the FDA to review the last main section in 2027.8

If your dog is large, look at LOY-001 and LOY-003, which are aimed at younger, bigger dogs but are further behind in FDA review.13 Our dog age calculator can help you see where your dog stands.

Overhead view of a black-and-white dog beside a food bowl and Hollywood Elixir box

My dog is medium-sized. Which drug fits?

Only LOY-002, once your dog turns 10. LOY-001 and LOY-003 start at 40 lb or above, and TRIAD starts at 44 lb.134 So a 25 lb Beagle or French Bulldog has one candidate drug, and only from age 10. Go by your dog's actual weight, not the breed average.

Woman smiling beside a golden retriever, a green food bowl and a Hollywood Elixir box

Could the rules change after approval?

They could, but don't count on it soon. Loyal says it hopes to do more research to expand access to a broader group of dogs in the future, with no timeline given.3 Adding a new group would most likely need new studies.

The final label could also differ from today's targets. Loyal can only say what it expects until the FDA finishes its review. We'll update this page when the label is public. Our LOY-002 guide tracks the FDA steps.

Man holding a Hollywood Elixir box while sitting on an outdoor sofa with a golden retriever

What if my dog has a health condition?

That hasn't been settled yet. Loyal says it expects dogs with many pre-existing conditions to be able to take its drugs, with any guidance based on its clinical and safety studies.3 The details will be on the label.

Because LOY-002 targets insulin, a dog with diabetes or another metabolic disease is a clear case to raise with your vet. Don't assume either way until the label is out.

Can my dog join a trial instead?

  • STAY (LOY-002): full. Enrollment closed in July 2025 at about 1,300 dogs.2
  • TRIAD (rapamycin): by invitation, from dogs already in the Dog Aging Project. Dogs must be 7 or older and 44 to 121 lb.49
  • Dog Aging Project: free, for dogs of any size and age, with no drug involved. It's a way to contribute to aging research whichever group your dog falls into. Read more.
  • Loyal's future studies: Loyal runs a newsletter for owners interested in later trials.2

Be wary of any "trial" that asks you to pay for the drug.

Vets can't prescribe a conditionally approved drug off-label, so the label decides.

Spotted gray dog beside a Hollywood Elixir box held in a person's hand

What about rapamycin for dogs that don't qualify?

Rapamycin is an approved human drug, so a vet can legally prescribe it off-label, unlike a conditionally approved animal drug.10 That makes it a tempting workaround. But no finished study has shown it extends a dog's life, and the TRIAD researchers can't recommend it for aging outside their trial.11

The controlled trials so far also tell you little about tiny dogs. TRIAD starts at 44 lb, and a 2023 trial used dogs of about 40 to 79 lb.412 Our rapamycin for dogs guide covers the risks and cost.

Golden retriever nuzzling a man holding a Hollywood Elixir box beside a food bowl

What has the best evidence for any dog?

Keeping your dog lean, and it's free. In a lifelong study of 48 Labradors, dogs fed 25% less than their littermates lived a median of 1.8 years longer.13 That study used one breed in a research colony, but the 50,787-dog study found the same pattern in pet dogs across 12 breeds.7

Ask your vet for a target weight before cutting portions. Some senior dogs are already losing muscle, and eating less would make that worse.14

Golden spaniel eating from a green bowl beside a Hollywood Elixir box

Do small dogs need a longevity drug at all?

Small dogs already tend to live longest, and two of Loyal's three drugs exist because big dogs don't: they target the growth signals Loyal links to large dogs' shorter lives.3 That biology isn't the main issue for a Chihuahua.

Small dogs still age, and many owners would want LOY-002's insulin approach if it's shown to work. It just hasn't been studied at that size. A longer life for a small dog today mostly comes from weight control and regular vet care.

Is there a supplement that works like LOY-002?

No. No supplement has been shown to do what LOY-002 is being tested for, and none has been shown to extend a dog's life. Be skeptical of anything sold as a "LOY-002 alternative." Loyal hasn't disclosed LOY-002's active ingredient, so no one can honestly claim to have matched it.1

Supplements can have a place for specific goals. Our anti-aging supplements guide and anti-aging pill guide cover what they can reasonably do.

Which breeds are usually under 14 lb?

Breeds that often fall below the line include the Chihuahua, Yorkshire Terrier, Maltese, Pomeranian, Papillon and Toy Poodle. Each breed guide covers what tends to shorten that breed's life, which is more useful than any drug still in review.

Individual dogs vary. A large Yorkie may be over 14 lb, and a Beagle can be under it. It's your dog's weight that counts.

Woman holding a Hollywood Elixir box beside a dapple dachshund and green food bowl on a sofa

Does my dog's weight today decide it?

Keep a record of it. Trials check weight at enrollment, and a label's limit will presumably be applied the same way. Don't try to move a dog over a line, though. Putting weight on a small dog to reach 14 lb could harm them, given what the weight studies show.7 A healthy weight matters far more than a drug that isn't available yet.

Woman cuddling a brown-and-white spaniel while holding a Hollywood Elixir box

What should I ask my vet?

  • Would my dog be a likely candidate for any of these drugs, given their age, weight and health?
  • What's my dog's healthy target weight and body condition score?
  • Which baselines are worth recording now, such as weight and routine bloodwork?
  • How often should we do check-ups at this age?
  • If my dog falls outside the label, what would you do instead?

Where daily nutrition fits

We make Hollywood Elixir, a daily nutrition powder for adult and senior dogs. It's built around nicotinamide riboside, an NAD+ precursor, with CoQ10, glutathione and 14 more actives, and every active amount is printed on the label. It's a supplement, not a replacement for a longevity drug: it isn't designed to do what LOY-002 is being tested for, and it hasn't been tested for lifespan. Its case is practical: one scoop in the food bowl instead of a cupboard of separate supplements. Discuss it with your vet if it suits your dog. See the full formula and serving guide.

Keeping a dog lean has real evidence behind it at any size, and it's available today.

Educational content only. This material is not a substitute for veterinary advice. Always consult your veterinarian about your dog’s specific needs. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products mentioned are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Glossary

Off-label (extra-label): using an approved drug in a way its label doesn't list.

Conditional approval: FDA permission to sell an animal drug for up to five years while full effectiveness evidence is collected. Off-label use isn't allowed.

Label: the FDA-reviewed document setting out which animals a drug is for and how to use it.

Target group: the dogs a company is developing a drug for. It can change before a label is final.

Body condition score: a vet's rating of body fat, usually on a 9-point scale.

Related Reading

Aging & Senior Dog Guidance
• Dog Age Calculator
• Dog Lifespan by Breed
• Dog Dementia
• Lethargy in Dogs
• My Dog Won't Eat
• Dog Pacing At Night
• Dog Licking Paws
• Can Dogs Dehydrate

Healthy Aging Support
• NAD+ for Dogs
• NMN for Dogs
• Antioxidants Supplements for Dogs
• Best Senior Dog Supplements & Vitamins
• Dog Longevity Drugs
• Rapamycin for Dogs

References

Sources and further detail

  1. Loyal, *Products in development* (checked November 2026)
  2. Loyal, *Clinical trials* (STAY eligibility and enrollment)
  3. Loyal, *For veterinarians* (FAQ: younger or smaller dogs; pre-existing conditions; checked November 2026)
  4. Coleman AE, Creevy KE, Anderson R et al. *GeroScience* (2025). Test of Rapamycin in Aging Dogs (TRIAD): study design and rationale
  5. FDA, *Conditional approval explained: a resource for veterinarians*
  6. Montoya M, Morrison JA, Arrignon F et al. *Frontiers in Veterinary Science* (2023). Life expectancy tables for dogs and cats derived from clinical data
  7. Salt C, Morris PJ, Wilson D et al. *Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine* (2019). Association between life span and body condition in neutered client-owned dogs
  8. dvm360 (13 Jan 2026), Lifespan extension drug in development for senior dogs reaches a new milestone
  9. Dog Aging Project, *Is it too late to sign my dog up for TRIAD?* (updated 28 Sept 2026)
  10. FDA, *The ins and outs of extra-label drug use in animals: a resource for veterinarians*
  11. Dog Aging Project, *Can I give my dog rapamycin on my own?*
  12. Barnett BG, Wesselowski SR, Gordon SG et al. *Frontiers in Veterinary Science* (2023). A masked, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial of low-dose rapamycin in 17 healthy client-owned dogs
  13. Kealy RD, Lawler DF, Ballam JM et al. *JAVMA* (2002). Effects of diet restriction on life span and age-related changes in dogs
  14. AAHA, 2021 Nutrition and Weight Management Guidelines: *Age-specific and breed-specific diets*

FAQ

Dalmatian looking toward a Hollywood Elixir box held in a person's hand

Discover LPL-01: How This Fits Into a Larger Canine Longevity System

Aging in dogs is not driven by a single pathway. It’s the result of interacting biological systems—energy metabolism, oxidative stress, immune signaling, and structural integrity—changing over time.

This article explores one piece of that puzzle. If you want to understand how these pieces connect—and what actually moves the needle—you need to zoom out.

Start with the underlying science: