Blog - Feb 14, 2026
LOY-002 vs Rapamycin: Two Paths to Dog Longevity
Dog longevity research now has two major tracks moving at the same time. FursBliss tracks both in one place so owners can make calmer, better-informed decisions with their vet.
The TRIAD methodology publication in GeroScience marks a significant milestone for the Dog Aging Project's rapamycin trial. Alongside Loyal's STAY program for LOY-002, owners now have two distinct longevity frameworks worth understanding.
One path emphasizes a purpose-built longevity therapy moving through FDA conditional approval. The other path evaluates rapamycin in a large real-world trial with healthspan and lifespan endpoints.
Side-by-side comparison
| Category | LOY-002 (Loyal) | Rapamycin (TRIAD / Dog Aging Project) |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Daily pill | Weekly pill |
| Mechanism | Caloric restriction mimetic | mTOR inhibitor |
| Age | 10+ years | 7+ years |
| Weight | 14+ lbs | 44+ lbs |
| Trial size | 1,300 dogs | 580 target (180+ enrolled) |
| FDA status | 2 of 3 major requirements accepted | Research program, not FDA approval pathway |
| Timeline | Conditional approval possible 2026-2027 | Results expected by 2029 |
| Funding | $250M+ private funding | $7M NIH grant |
| Availability | Prescription if/when approved | Off-label use exists; TRIAD itself is trial-only |
What this means for owners
If your dog is younger and larger, TRIAD-style criteria may match earlier than LOY-002. If your dog is older and meets LOY-002 criteria, readiness tracking matters now so you have baseline data when treatment decisions come faster.
The practical advantage is not choosing a side. It is tracking daily data so your vet has cleaner evidence, whichever path you consider.
Read the live tracker on the Longevity Drug Hub and run your dog through the eligibility checker.
Sources:
- - AVMA: TRIAD progress, enrollment, NIH grant update
- - Texas A&M VetMed: prior rapamycin cardiac-function findings in companion dogs
- - Loyal public updates for LOY pipeline and STAY program context