Dementia in Dogs | Canine Cognitive Dysfunction

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Mathew B. Sims is Editor-in-Chief and has authored, edited, and contributed to several books. He has been working in the insurance industry ensuring content is accurate for consumers who are searching for the best policies and rates. He has also been featured on sites like UpJourney.

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Written by Mathew B. Sims
Editor-in-Chief

Melanie Musson is the fourth generation in her family to work in the insurance industry. She grew up with insurance talk as part of her everyday conversation and has studied to gain an in-depth knowledge of state-specific car insurance laws and dynamics as well as a broad understanding of how insurance fits into every person’s life, from budgets to coverage levels. She also specializes in automa...

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Reviewed by Melanie Musson
Published Insurance Expert

UPDATED: Nov 17, 2020

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As our dogs age, there are many changes that occur that sneak up on us.

One day our senior dog is fine and then suddenly your dog might act confused or disoriented.

Just like humans, dogs can suffer from dementia.

In dogs, the disease is called Canine Cognitive Dysfunction and it affects many senior dogs.

Table of Contents

Symptoms of Dementia in Dogs

Below are just some of the symptoms of dementia in dogs:

Sleep-wake cycle disturbances
Generalized anxiety
Decreased activity levels
Inappropriate vocalization (howling, barking or whining)
Repetitive behaviors (pacing)
Improper elimination
Fewer social interaction
Disorientation (or getting “lost” in the house)

If you can recognize the signs early, it can be helpful in treatment and longevity.

The early signs of Canine Cognitive Dysfunction can be subtle and difficult to detect.

They can even be misinterpreted as “just getting old” but it could actually be a larger problem with your senior dog’s health.

However, early recognition and intervention can help.

Be on the lookout for mild versions of the symptoms listed above to be able to act on it in the early stages.

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Changes in Hearing or Vision in Senior Dogs

Sensory deficiencies, such as hearing and vision loss, can cause anxiety for dogs. When dogs lose these faculties, they can become disoriented far more easily. Simple things, like failing to hear you calling your dog can make daily life challenging for aging pets and for us too.

But many dogs can be trained to recognize hand signals, and dogs with limited vision can often learn their way around, as long as furniture and other objects remain in the same place.

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Take Your Dog to a Vet for Diagnosis

Your veterinarian will take a behavioral and medical history and conduct a thorough physical and neurological exam.

Many Canine Cognitive Dysfunction symptoms are shared with other serious ailments so it’s important to get the right diagnosis.

For example, a decrease in activity could be a sign of advanced arthritis, inattentiveness could be a result of hearing or vision loss and incontinence could stem from kidney disease.

Once your veterinarian has eliminated other conditions and has made a diagnosis of Canine Cognitive Dysfunction, you and your veterinarian can explore treatment options.

Treatment of Canine Disorientation Dementia

There is a prescribed drug that has shown effectiveness towards improving your dog’s life.

This drug, selegiline or L-deprenyl (brand name Anipryl®) increases the amount of dopamine in your dog’s brain. Dopamine is a chemical substance that transmits nerve impulses in the brain during normal function.

Though it doesn’t work in all dogs, Anipryl may help your dog think more clearly and remember more.

Discuss this with your vet to see it is a good option for your dog and as with all medication, there can be some side effects.

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Dietary Supplements for Dogs with Dementia

Vitamins and supplements, such as omega-3 fatty acids and melatonin have been known to improve cognitive function in some dogs.

Talk to your veterinarian to find the right kinds of supplements for your dog. There are also some other homeopathic treatments, herbal remedies, and nutritional supplements said to benefit dogs with cognitive dysfunction.

How To Help Your Dog with Dementia Stay Focused and Happy:

There are many things you can do to improve your dog’s environment, help accommodate him, keep him comfortable and sharpen his mind:

Develop a daily routine for feeding, exercise, and other activities and keep it consistent.
Avoid rearranging your furniture or moving your dog’s things. Keep clutter away from walkways and any areas where your dog spends time.
Make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise. However, know your dog’s limits.
Teach your dog some fun tricks. Play games like tug-of-war and fetch if he is physically up for it.
Spend quality time together even just sitting next to each other.

No matter what you are doing with your dog, go slowly and be patient. If your dog becomes frustrated, take a break. Try rewarding him with a treat and helping him get comfortable.

Your dog’s dementia will progress. But with love, tenderness and a combination of the above, you may be able to improve your dog’s quality of life for a longer period of time.

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