Signs of dementia in dogs can be distressing to notice. After all, we want our grey-muzzled companions to be mentally sharp and happy for as long as possible in their golden years. Integrative veterinarian Dr. Julie Buzby takes an in-depth look at the five common signs of doggie dementia and explains how to help your dog with dementia keep living the good life.
Recently, a longtime friend and client brought in his 10-year-old black Labrador Retriever, Dixie. I had known her since she was about three months old. Dixie pranced into the vet clinic with the same happy attitude that she is known for.
However, Dixie’s dad looked very concerned. As I asked what was going on, my client started describing some changes he had noticed at home recently. His dear Labrador Retriever was no longer sleeping through the night. She was also barking more than normal and had started to show some aggression towards her “brother,” a small Terrier mix. It was very obvious that something was changing with his beloved dog.
Finally, he looked up at me and said, “My dog is doing things I never would have expected from her. Can dogs become senile?” I looked back at him and told him, “Yes, unfortunately, dogs can develop dementia.”
I went on to explain to my client that our canine companions are living longer than they used to because of the wonderful care they receive at home and from their veterinarian. This is great news because it means we get more time with our dogs. However, it also means that an increasing number of dogs are living long enough to develop dog dementia—also called Canine Cognitive Dysfunction in Dogs (CCD) or Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS).
What is dementia in dogs?
Dementia occurs in senior dogs as they age. Their brain undergoes changes that are very similar to what doctors see in human Alzheimer’s disease or dementia patients. In fact, a 2019 article published in Frontiers in Neuroscience compared canine cognitive dysfunction and Alzheimer’s disease in detail. These brain changes can affect a dog’s memory, behavior, sleep patterns, activity, and appetite.
In recent studies, it has been estimated that approximately 28% of senior dogs develop CCD by 11 to 12 years old. When dogs reach the ages of 15 to 16 years, it is estimated that approximately 68% have doggie dementia.
What are the signs of dementia in dogs?
The first signs of canine dementia may be difficult for you to recognize. Early signs of cognitive decline are sometimes very subtle. That’s why it is important that dog parents know what to look for.
Dog dementia symptoms are grouped into three stages—mild, moderate, and severe. There are typical patterns that appear within each stage. However, it’s important to note that not every dog follows these exact patterns or stages.
So any of the signs described below could be seen at any time once dementia sets in.
3 stages of dog dementia
Stage one: Mild
In the early stage of dementia in dogs, signs tend to be more mild and easier to miss. You may notice changes in your dog’s sleep patterns and maybe mild changes in how your senior dog socializes with you or other pets.
Stage two: Moderate
The moderate stage is when signs may become more apparent to you. The most frequent sign of dog dementia at this stage is house soiling—even though your dog was previously house-trained.
Stage three: Severe
The last stage is severe symptoms. In this stage, the signs mentioned above tend to increase. Also, you may notice your dog starting to wander around the house throughout the night instead of sleeping. Your dog may begin to bark more at things that aren’t really there.
5 signs of dementia in dogs
Let’s explore the five signs of dog dementia in depth.
1. Disorientation
Some dogs with dementia seem to lose their sense of direction or may walk around appearing confused. Disorientation can be seen in a variety of ways in our senior dogs. Some dogs may walk up to furniture and appear unsure of how to go around it.
If you have ever seen the movie A Bug’s Life, the scene at the very beginning of the movie when the leaf falls and blocks the line of ants carrying food is similar to disorientation. That leaf falling blocks the path that the ants always take, and they become disoriented and need the other ants to lead them around the leaf back to the correct path.
Sometimes, as our senior dogs become disoriented, they might need help just like this to re-learn how to go around the couch or table to get where they want to go.
As our beloved companions age, they may also experience vision changes or cloudy eyes in dogs. Impaired vision can combine with mild dog senility to create more significant confusion and disorientation.
Other signs of disorientation include:
- Forgetting where the water bowl or doggy door are located even though they have always been in the same spot.
- Walking in circles as if stuck in that motion and don’t know how to stop.
- Getting stuck in a corner or standing with the head leaning on the wall like he or she doesn’t know what to do (head pressing).
- Standing at the wrong side of the door when it is opened.
If you begin to see your dog exhibiting any of these signs, but you are not sure if your dog is truly disoriented, take a video to show your vet. This will help you explain what you are seeing so your vet can figure out the best way to help your pup.
2. Changes in social behavior
One of the most common reasons dog parents bring their dog to the vet is social behavior changes at home. These changes may occur with the people living in the house or with other pets. As mentioned, doggie dementia affects our dogs’ memories. This means they may forget those that they live with or forget how they normally play with other dogs or cats.
Some dogs become less interested in playing with or receiving attention from their people. This may mean they no longer care when company comes over. They used to get excited or bark to greet guests, but now they don’t. Other dogs may become more needy and want extra attention.
Finally, the change that is usually the most concerning to owners, is sudden aggression toward people or animals. This was one of the big problems my client was seeing because Dixie was attacking her terrier “brother.”
If you begin to see changes in behavior at home, especially more aggressive behavior, please discuss it with your veterinarian immediately. While these changes may be related to dementia in dogs, it is important to make sure that there are no other health problems going on.
Arthritis in dogs or other causes of pain in dogs could also cause your senior dog to act differently. A painful dog is often more likely to growl or snap when painful parts (such as hips or back) are touched.
3. Changes in sleep patterns
In some cases, altered sleep patterns may be the first sign that you recognize in your furry friend because this interrupts your own sleep. Dogs with dementia often start waking up more in the middle of the night than they previously did. Dementia can be one of many causes of senior dog anxiety at night.
Your dog may do different things when he or she wakes up. Some may pace back and forth all night as if they are anxious about something. Other dogs may wake up barking as if someone knocked on the door or they saw a ghost. And others may wake up and decide they are starving and need to eat right then!
Some dog parents describe this stage as being similar to having a newborn baby at home. Or others may compare it to sundowning in humans with Alzheimer’s (which is why CCD is sometimes called sundowners in dogs). It is okay to be frustrated when this happens because it is exhausting for both you and your dog!
4. Accidents in the house
As canine cognitive dysfunction progresses, some senior dogs may forget the commands and tricks you previously taught them. When you say “sit,” “come,” or “stay” they may just look puzzled. Senile dogs may also forget all that hard work you put into house training. Inappropriate urination or defecation in the house may occur due to:
- Increased anxiety that occurs with dementia.
- Going outside and forgetting what they were supposed to be doing.
- Forgetting where the doggy door is or how to use it.
- Forgetting their body cues and not realizing they have to go until it’s an emergency or too late.
- Forgetting how to signal to you that they need to go out.
However, accidents in the house can happen for other reasons in senior dogs. Urinary incontinence in older dogs, Cushing’s disease in dogs, diabetes in dogs, administration of medications like prednisone for dogs, or urinary tract infections in dogs may also cause urinary accidents. It is important to discuss accidents and other signs with your veterinarian to ensure he or she has the needed information to make the right diagnostic and treatment plan.
5. Increased anxiety and changes in activity or appetite
As mentioned, doggie dementia may cause increases or decreases in activity. Increased activity usually presents as pacing or restless nights. On the other hand, dog parents may easily mistake decreased activity during the day for age-related slowing down. Dementia patients commonly want to sleep more during the day (more than the number of hours an old dog should sleep) or may not be as excited to play as they used to be.
Activity may also change because anxiety can become worse once dementia sets in. Sometimes, dogs can sense the changes happening. They are scared and confused because they don’t remember how to follow commands or they keep getting lost around the house.
In addition to confusion-based anxiety, some senior dogs with dementia may develop noise-based anxiety. This may include reacting to fireworks, thunder, or even small noises like car alarms or the stove beeping. Another common sign some owners notice is that their four-legged friend is more attached to them. This can be a result of separation anxiety.
Since activity can decrease and anxiety can increase, another sign is decreased eating and drinking. If your old dog is not eating well, CCD may be the cause. This may occur because dogs feel too tired or confused to get up and go to the bowl. Also, they could forget where the bowl is located or forget that they were hungry or thirsty.
How is doggie dementia diagnosed?
The most important diagnostic step is for dog parents to notice the signs at home. You spend the most time with your furry friend and you know him or her best. Dogs often tend to behave differently at the vet than they do at home, so your vet may not be able to see what you see.
It is important that you let your veterinarian know when your dog’s behavior is changing and you think something is wrong. If you are confused about what your senior dog is doing or don’t know how to describe it, pull out your smartphone. Pictures and videos can help your vet “see” what is happening.
Additionally, you could consider filling out a canine cognitive dysfunction checklist and bringing it to the vet appointment. This sort of tool can provide an overview of the symptoms your dog is exhibiting, which also helps with the diagnostic process.
Once you bring your dog to the vet, he or she will ask you to describe what is going on. Typically, your vet will also ask a variety of follow-up questions. Sometimes he or she may recommend different tests such as blood tests for dogs, X-rays, ultrasound, CT, or MRI. These tests can help rule out other health issues that could have similar signs.
These steps are important because there isn’t an easy “yes” or “no” test that can definitively say if your dog has dementia. Ultimately, your vet makes the diagnosis based on your observations after ruling out other conditions.
How are signs of dementia in dogs treated?
Unfortunately, there is no cure for doggy dementia. But we can treat some of the symptoms to improve quality of life. Your veterinarian may prescribe medications or supplements to help keep your dog comfortable and manage anxiety or disrupted sleep patterns.
Some of the more common may include:
- Melatonin for dogs, which may help restore normal sleep-wake cycles—As a word of caution, some formulations of melatonin, especially melatonin gummies, may contain the sugar substitute xylitol, which is toxic for dogs. Always check the label for xylitol (sometimes called birch sugar) before giving melatonin supplements to your dog.
- Anti-anxiety medications such as trazodone for dogs
- Anipryl® (Selegiline for dogs), a medication that affects signaling chemicals in the brain to manage the signs of dementia
- Omega-3 fatty acids for dogs
- S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe)
- Medium chain triglycerides (MCT oil for dogs), which provide an easy-to-use energy source for the dog’s brain and may help support and improve cognitive function in dogs with CCD.
There are a variety of medications, supplements, and diets that may help with dog dementia beyond the short list shown above. Your vet is the best person to decide which of these options are right for your dog, which is why they are not covered in more detail here.
Please keep in mind that senior dog supplements are not regulated by the FDA and some are more effective than others. I always advise talking to your veterinarian before beginning any OTC supplements for your dog.
Things you can do at home to help your dog’s memory
There are also activities you can do at home to help your dog’s memory. You may have heard human doctors recommend puzzles to Alzheimer’s patients. Puzzles can be good for dogs too! You can try different “thinking games” at home such as food puzzles (found online and at most pet stores).
Some owners play “watch the food” where they put a piece of food under a cup and leave two cups empty. Then they move the cups in a circle on the floor and the dog has to find the food. This is a great way to keep your senior dog mentally stimulated, and can also be a way to encourage them to eat.
For dogs with severe dementia symptoms, a consultation with a veterinary behaviorist may be helpful to develop strategies to help keep them comfortable and calm.
Back to my client, the lovable Labrador with dog dementia
Dixie’s relationships with her dad and “fur sibling” improved after starting anxiety medication and learning “thinking games.” She loves to play hide-and-seek with her dad. He told me that once he taught her this game, their relationship grew back to where it was and her activity level seemed to improve.
She still has some hard days, but she continues to love food and going on her walks. Her dad understands that just like with human Alzheimer’s or dementia, it can progress over time. And he knows that eventually he will have to face that dreaded decision of when to euthanize a dog with dementia. However, he is making the most of her golden years and plays an important role in helping her improve!
Hope for dogs who are showing signs of dementia
If your senior dog is showing some signs of dementia in dogs or if he or she has recently been diagnosed with CCD, it can be normal to feel scared or unsure of what is next. However, there are so many ways you can improve your dog’s quality of life.
Dementia doesn’t have to define the last chapters of your dog’s life. Be sure to ask your veterinarian any questions that you have and work with him or her to develop a plan for your dog. Together, you can help your senior dog have comfortable, happy golden years in spite of his or her doggie dementia diagnosis!
Does your dog have dementia?
Please comment below to share his or her story.
Hi Julie,
Many thanks for this wonderful article on Dog Dementia. We have suspected our 14 yr old Malamute was starting a while ago when she would bump into things and be genuinely surprised that it had occurred. She then becan this daytime activity of going out then immediately coming back in without having done anything. Similar to our going into a room and forgetting what we’d gone there for. A short while ago she bagan walking around a bit at night. This has now developed to an all night thing now where she will just wander around the house for literally 5 to 6 hours overnight, stopping only to drink and check in on my wife and I.
My wife is the one who feeds her and walks her and recently has realised that poppy constantly stays by her side following her everywhere she goes. She has always been a dog that can be left and still is, but we now notice that she spends a lot of time on her own, just checking we’re still around every so often. But if my wife’s up and about, poppy is stuck to her like glue. She’s in and out our bedroom all night long. We can’t close her out as her paws would destroy the door, but never wakes us, just makes sure we’re there.
She is totally deaf now and her eyes have gone quite cloudy, though her eyesight is still ok. She’s on Youmove, the calpol of the doggie world. She still eats very well and exercises at least twice a day for miles and is still very strong.
So we worry about her overnight, especially as she gets so much exercise during the day.
Having read your thorough article we now feel more confident going forward with her and will be filming her for our Vet’s to have a look.
Thank you. Kind Regards
Steve & Sharon Conroy
Hi Steve,
Thank you for the kind words and great feedback about the article. I am glad you feel more confident and have the information you need to start this discussion with your vet. What a blessing your girl is still so active and has a great appetite. I am hopeful you will find a way to help offer her rest and peace at nighttime. Here is a link to another article that may be helpful for that specific issue: Senior Dog Anxiety at Night? 9 Solutions for Better Sleep
Wishing you both all the best of luck and keep up the good work!
I have a rescued Border Collie which I rescued her after she’d lost a litter at 8.5 years. She had pelvic issues which the vet emphasized was due to excess breeding which caused difficulties at getting up; however, she had some meds given to ease this.
Now she is showing blindness and dementia symptoms. She has/had been very good in raising a pup adopted into the household for 4 months when the tables turned. She barks at night; soils in the house and even gets lost in the yard to cite a few things; her inability with the door; her bed locale, indoor and outdoor water dishes and stairs to deck and doors I feel are combined with her blindness. The last few days I’ve noticed her falling over.
Come winter things will be a lot worse as we get ‘buried’ beneath snow whether it be the road or the yard. I have always had to shovel just to get out any door previously for my previous dogs. I am saddened with the prospect of having to euthanize her but feel with everything she’s undergoing I am being kind to her too. It hurts and 2 cats and 9 month old pup will also be subjected to the loss. Am I doing right?? I wish I knew of dementia in dogs before but hadn’t encountered it – my previous dogs had cancer.
Dear V,
I am sorry you are facing this difficult decision for your senior girl. Choosing to say goodbye is never easy but it can be the most loving option. I would rather let go one day too early than one day too late and allow unnecessary suffering. It is ok to say goodbye before all joy is lost and the only thing that remains is pain and struggling. I am certain mental disease causes just as much suffering (if not more) as physical disease and watching a dog live with end stage dementia can be heart breaking. I will attach links to other articles with more information and great comments from other readers as well. Praying for your strength and comfort as you navigate this emotional path. Bless you and your sweet girl.
1. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
2. Dementia in Dogs: When to Euthanize Your Beloved Senior Dog
3. How Will You Know When It’s Time to Euthanize Your Dog? 5 Caring, Heartfelt Messages
4. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
How do you know when it is time to put your 14 year old lab down? He is showing all of these signs, I don’t want him to suffer but I don’t want to lose my best friend either but if he is suffering I would rather put him out of his misery. He’s not sleeping through the night anymore and isn’t eating as often.
Dear Kat,
I am so sorry you are facing this difficult decision for your beloved boy. I always think it is better to let go one day too early rather than one day too late and allow unnecessary suffering. I commend you for paying such close attention to his quality of life and striving to do what is best for him, even if that means breaking your own heart. I will attach links to other articles with more information that may offer guidance as you navigate this emotional path. Praying for clarity and strength. Bless you and your sweet boy.
1. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
2. Dementia in Dogs: When to Euthanize Your Beloved Senior Dog
3. How Will You Know When It’s Time to Euthanize Your Dog? 5 Caring, Heartfelt Messages
4. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
I had too put my 16 year old best friend too sleep last week his last symptom of his dementia was he’d forgotten how too swallow ,so would hold food in his mouth and wander around ,he paced at night sometimes in his own excrement , he had no control on his bladder and bowels and got anxious in different places ,his back legs had gone so he’d fall back into his poo ,he couldn’t see or hear ,his last days were heartbreaking as he was limping and falling over going round in fast circles and soiling his bed ,getting stuck in places ,his eyes I felt were full of sadness ,but I can’t stop crying ,and full of guilt that I shouldn’t of made the decision too put him down ,the vet passed the decision too me which has made it harder for me too feel it was the right thing to do ,I loved him so much and I’m really struggling ,this page is giving me some comfort so thank you
Dear Vanessa,
My heart breaks for you as you grieve the loss of your beloved boy. Please don’t let guilt weigh heavily on you. You absolutely did the right thing by offering your sweet boy rest and freedom from his suffering. I can only imagine how much you miss him but am certain he knew how much he was loved. May his memory stay with you always. Praying for comfort and peace for your heart.
I am going through the exact same thing. Our dog is 17+ and is deaf and visually impaired. He gets stuck under chairs and in corners and wanders around like he’s lost. His back legs are weak, he falls a lot, including when pooping. He doesn’t get up from his bed by himself. We pick him up and carry him to pee otherwise he pees his bed or on the floor. It takes him all day to eat a bowl of food he use to gobble down in 5 minutes. Food falls out of his mouth, not sure how much he actually swallows. He’s lost nearly half his top body weight. He doesn’t acknowledge us or visitors. He use to love chasing our grandchildren. He failed the quality of life test. He won’t be penned at night or while we’re away. He will pace the whole time and leaves a mess. My husband has been sleeping on the couch every night with him because we can’t leave him unattended due to his incontinence. We rarely leave the house. The vet left the decision to us. My husband is ready to let go but I’m not. I know I should let him go but I can’t do it.
Dear Brenda,
My heart goes out to you as you face this emotional situation with your senior pup. Saying goodbye is never easy, but it can be the only way to spare a beloved dog from unnecessary suffering and offer true peace and rest. It’s a decision we make because we love them, even when it will break our hearts in the process. I pray for your strength and for clarity as you navigate this difficult path. Bless you and your family.
I feel for you. we had a lab mix that we adopted that is estimated to be around 16. he started having g mobility issues several years ago but pain medication really helped for a long time. He is to the point that the medication doesn’t seem to be helping as his mobility has gotten worse with regular falls and constant help to get up. the past few months he has had many of these signs of disorientation/dementia. restless at nights, pacing. circling, heavy panting, and getting stuck under tables and between chairs and not knowing what to do. we have struggled with this decision, and we will be letting him go this coming Saturday. we have seen his decline be worse over the past few months and we decided to let him go before he gets to where he can’t stand or walk at all, or become even more confused. we feel this would be worse on him than how he currently is. I am wishing you th3 best of luck in making this decision, but like the poster said, we would rather be one day too early than one day too late. we love him so much and he will be greatly missed.
Dear Jen,
My heart aches for you with the recent loss of your beloved pup. I am glad you were able to offer him a peaceful passing and am certain he knew how much he was loved. Thank you for sharing your story and being a source of support for others. Wishing you healing for your heart and brighter days ahead. ♥
My 10 year old Old English Sheepdog is suddenly frightened by absolutely nothing. He jumps up as though he has seen a ghost. He circles occasionally. His appetite has decreased some and he is awake sometimes at night. I am concerned about possible dementia. He has a Thunder Shirt that has only helped somewhat. I am concerned that his quick jumping up on my wood floor can cause him to break a leg,
Thank you for taking the time to answer all of our concerns.
Hi Lana,
I am sorry your senior guy is struggling with this new onset of anxiety. Has he had a checkup with your vet recently? It would be good to rule out any medical causes first and if he gets a clean bill of health, then you can discuss treatment options. It may be worth trying an anti-anxiety medication or looking into calming products (treats, sprays, collars, etc.). Hoping you can find something to help reduce these unwanted symptoms. Wishing you all the best of luck with your sweet boy.
maybe something hurts. my dog seemed that way and we found out at the Opthalmologist that his eye was swelling up and obviously hurting him. My other dog, same thing. One of her eyes was infected. Sometimes the general vet can’t tell eye issues. There are veterinary Opthalmologists and yes rule out other things like maybe an x-ray of his abdomen. You never know.if he might be in pain or uncomfortable and it could be something easy to treat.
Hi Cari,
Yes! This could definitely be a pain response. I always like to rule out medical causes before assuming something is behavioral. Thank you for your input and advice. Best wishes!
Thank you so much for this informative article.
Our 14 year old boy has been diagnosed with CCD and he’s changed so much in a few months. He isn’t walking in circles but he has major separation.m anxiety and can not be left alone otherwise he is climbing up on the furniture and pulling things down, chewing them up like he is a puppy but it’s every time we leave the room. Even when someone is in the room with him unless they are right next to him he is anxious and up at the sides. His eyes have become cloudy as well.
He is still eating and drinking throughout the day but he is very unsettled at night and has started to soil in the house but only from his bowels, he still goes outside to do a wee.
The vet has prescribed him with Galiprant (we are in the UK), he is also on medication for arthritis in both his back legs.
As a family we are worried about his quality of life, I am waiting for the CCD meds to be delivered to see if it helps him but struggling to make a decision on when the right time to let him go is. Every so often he will pick up a toy and bring it to us, and we get a glimpse of the dog he used to be and it’s just heart breaking.
Dear Jodi,
My heart goes out to you as you face this difficult situation with your senior pup. I understand the grief that comes with watching a dog’s personality slowly fade or change into something you don’t recognize as your beloved boy. Finding the right time to say goodbye is incredibly difficult. I will attach links to other articles with more information and great advice from other readers. Ultimately, you have to trust your intuition as you know your boy better than anyone. Praying for a clear path forward and strength for each new day. Bless you.
1. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
2. Dementia in Dogs: When to Euthanize Your Beloved Senior Dog
3. How Will You Know When It’s Time to Euthanize Your Dog? 5 Caring, Heartfelt Messages
my parents 14 year old yorkiepoo was just diagnosed with dementia 5 days ago. I noticed she was just walking in circles and stopping in odd places and being stuck. my parents were out of town so when they got home I told them my mom wait two days just so she could see what i was talking about. we took her to the vet and they said she had dementia but told us to give her dementia pills (selegine 5mg) 1 time a day and said to give her dramamine for the circling. it seem to help a little she sleep pretty good at night if you put her in her bed. one thing I’ve learned is a weighted object ( neck weight) like bean hand or something seem to help keep her from pacing and wandering around aimlessly. she doesn’t seem to eat or drink unless forced too. then it like she’s not getting enough and just want to keep drinking or eating and even with her treats she gables it down like she’s never ate in awhile. she’s blind and had no teeth so it’s actually a struggle to get her to realize where she is and to feed her food that’s chunky but soft enough for her to mosh enough to swallow. an my cats aren’t helping matter they keep smacking her when she gets to close to them. an she yelps and falls over. that is something else she bumps in to stuff and she just falls over or into it. she had fell in to her food dishes water dish and has fallen off chairs well people are holding her sill just lean over and before you can grab her or realize she not just laying down and falls off your lap. sorry I’m all over the place with everything but it upsetting to see her like this. we thought we were going to have and put her down but the vet said besides the dementia she in wonderful health. my mom and I was thinking to just get her a playpen to keep her safe in one place any thoughts on that is appreciated. She is weary of potting in the house wich she has done for all the year we’ve had her she normally pottys on a peep pad but doesn’t seem to want to use it anymore and rather go outside. again sorry for being all over the place and rambling.
Hi Candice,
I am sorry your parents’ senior girl is struggling with the symptoms of dementia. I understand how hard it is to evaluate quality of life when most of the issues are mental instead of physical. I do think mental disease causes just as much suffering, if not more, as physical disease. Your girl may have just entered the “window of time” where saying goodbye can be a loving option, it just isn’t urgent at this point. It is ok to let go before all joy is lost and the only thing that remains is pain and suffering. Without examining her myself, it is hard to give specific advice and guidance. I will attach links to other articles with more information and great comments from other readers. Ultimately, you have to trust your intuition as you and your parents know your girl better than anyone. Praying for strength and comfort as you navigate this difficult path. Bless you and your family. ♥
1. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
2. Dementia in Dogs: When to Euthanize Your Beloved Senior Dog
3. When Caring For A Sick Pet Becomes Too Much: Pet Caregiver Fatigue
4. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
we have a 16.5 year old Lhasa apso, we have had him since 2017 when he was nearly 10. His heath has really deteriorated over the last few months, his physical problems are, he has hip dysplasia and he is losing muscle mass, making his back part of his body really thin. He struggles to walk but he makes an effort. He is on Gabapentin twice a day. He is also deaf and blind. He has not been diagnosed with Dementia but he has the symptoms. He walks around in circles a lot, anti clockwise, He paces the garden for ages, someone ends up bringing him in side. He is soiling and wetting inside the house more frequently, I gave him a cuddle yesterday and he tolerated it for a few seconds then tried to pull.away from me. He keeps getting stuck behind furniture, standing facing a wall and not moving. He is still.eating and still enjoys his favourite chew sticks. At night., my daughter will bring him upstairs to bed and he will.start whining and she take him back downstairs, put him outside and he will just pace in the garden or go around in circles. Sometimes, this will happen a few times a night or just once. He does sleep after that, during the day he sleeps a lot. My husband isn’t ready to.let him go because he is eating okay. I just worry about his quality of life.
Dear Jane,
I am sorry your pup is struggling with the symptoms of dementia, and you are right to be concerned about his quality of life. It takes a lot more than a willingness to eat to make up an enjoyable life. From what you describe, every day your boy is dealing with stress, anxiety, confusion, restlessness, disrupted sleep cycles, incontinence, and loss of affection toward his family. It sounds like he has entered the “window” of time where letting go is an acceptable choice buy may not be urgent. Sometimes saying goodbye is the most loving option and only way to offer relief and freedom. I will attach links to other articles with more information on how to evaluate quality of life and how to know when is best to say goodbye. Hoping you can find the answers you need to make a decision that is best for everyone involved. Bless you and your family.
1. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
2. Dementia in Dogs: When to Euthanize Your Beloved Senior Dog
3. How Will You Know When It’s Time to Euthanize Your Dog? 5 Caring, Heartfelt Messages
4. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
My 14 year old Shihpoo fur baby was recently diagnosed. He went deaf about a year and a half ago then the random barking and pacing started. He was always high anxiety with separation anxiety and has been escalating quickly. He is continuously barking, especially in the kitchen, as if someone is there and he is petrified. He is shaking pacing nonstop at night. The vet has put Him on Xanax it has been about two weeks, but it seems he is getting used to it and fears the bedroom. I have to sleep with my bedroom light on. He shakes uncontrollably. I have to pull him up against me take him an hour or two to calm down and he pretty much sits on guard staring into the kitchen. He sleeps some nights other nights are difficult. I lost my mother last year. I’m having a hard time dealing with this still. I am not ready to lose my friend. His body is healthy as a horse. I just can’t believe his mind is deteriorating. I will put everything I have into working with him comforting him lost sleep is lost sleep. As long as he is not in pain?
Dear Shelly,
My heart goes out to you with the loss of your mother last year. I can only imagine how difficult it is to still be grieving and have to face this emotional situation with your senior pup as well. It is hard to assess quality of life when most of the issues are mental instead of physical. Your boy may not be in pain but that doesn’t necessarily mean he isn’t suffering. I am convinced that the suffering caused by mental disease is just as bad (if not worse) as physical disease. Often, we focus on giving a beloved pup a good quality of life, but a peaceful goodbye is just as important. I will attach links to other articles that will help evaluate things and offer great advice and comments from other readers too. Praying for your strength and comfort. Bless you and your sweet boy.
1. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
2. Dementia in Dogs: When to Euthanize Your Beloved Senior Dog
3. When Caring For A Sick Pet Becomes Too Much: Pet Caregiver Fatigue
4. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
Very good article about dog dementia. Short but full of info. I started to wonder about my little boy, Little Werewolf, because about a month and a half now when I wake and have to turn over, which is often at night due to my sleep apnea and insomnia, he use to just right away lay down next to me again, but has been lately just sitting on the bed until I coax him to lay down again.
It’s as if he is confused about what is happening, and where he is. I had also noticed that up until about 3 months ago he had spent most of the day on the living room couch, maybe on a chair near me in my home office. Then he just starts pulling the pillow of the chair ( I had a pillow there for his comfort with an old pillow case with my smell ) and pulling it to almost underneath me and laying there most of the day.
I believe he’s in the start of dog dementia.
Hi Greg,
I am sorry your little guy is starting to show signs of cognitive decline. This is the best time to talk to your vet about what treatment options could be started as early intervention. We have another article on this topic that may offer additional information. Here is a link: Canine Cognitive Dysfunction in Dogs: Signs, Symptoms, Solutions
Hoping you can find a way to keep his symptoms to a minimum and praying for many happy years ahead.
My 15 year old Border Terrier has been diagnosed with CCD and is especially restless in the evening. My vet recommended giving him the Selegiline in the evening because of this but I have read that it is recommended for morning. Does it make a difference when it is given? He also takes Gabapentin and Novox twice a day with meals for IVDD. I am hoping this medication will help him with the issues. Thank you. I really appreciate your replies to all the concern’s
Carol
Hi Carol,
I am sorry your senior guy is having issues with nighttime restlessness. It definitely can make a difference if the Selegiline is given at night rather than in the morning. In the body, Selegiline is rapidly metabolized to compounds that stimulate brain function. So, if given at night, it would be causing the brain to be more active at the time of day when we are wanting your pup to rest. It may be that your boy needs something extra at night to help with sleep. Here are links to other articles with more information:
1. Senior Dog Anxiety at Night? 9 Solutions for Better Sleep
2. Sundowners in Dogs: A Veterinarian’s Guide
Hoping this will help guide your conversation with your vet. Wishing you and your sweet boy all the best and praying for peace and rest for you both. ♥
My Doxie is 19 1/2 and has CCD. Some days she stands facing the wall, or can’t go out doggie door then other days she runs outside to bark at something, eats well & wags her tail when she sees me. Last evening I found her stuck in between 2 chairs and she couldn’t figure out how to get out. I’m so conflicted as to whether I should put her down. I’d say about 50% of time she has good days. What should I do?
Thanks,
Debby
Hi Debby,
I am so sorry you are dealing with this difficult situation with your senior Dachshund. Trying to accurately determine quality of life can be tricky especially when most of the issues are mental instead of physical. I do feel that mental disease can cause just as much suffering, if not more, than physical disease. I encourage you to discuss these concerns with your vet. There may be a supplement or medication that your girl could try to see if it lessens the severity of her symptoms. I will also attach links to other articles with more information on how to know when it is time to say goodbye. Ultimately, you have to trust your intuition as you know your girl better than anyone. I pray for strength and clarity as you navigate this emotional path. Bless you and your sweet girl.
1. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
2. Canine Cognitive Dysfunction in Dogs: Signs, Symptoms, Solutions
3. Dementia in Dogs: When to Euthanize Your Beloved Senior Dog
4. How Will You Know When It’s Time to Euthanize Your Dog? 5 Caring, Heartfelt Messages
My 14.5 year old Springer Spaniel hasn’t been diagnosed, but I’m sure she has it. She’s been pacing more lately, up off and on at night. She’s been relegated to the first floor of the house for safety reasons since last March due to a fall on the stairs. She and her sis always get so excited for about an hour leading up to their normal meal time. The last couple weeks, she still gets excited, but when the food is served she seems confused and loses interest. She ends up finishing, but it’s over the course of three hours of pacing, forgetting, and taking little bites. Plus the frustration of keeping her sis away because she’ll happily steal another meal.
Hi Leigh,
My heart goes out to you as you face this difficult situation with your senior girl. I agree, what you describe does sound like symptoms of dementia. Please make sure your vet is aware of this ongoing issue. There may be supplements or medications that could lessen the severity of these symptoms and offer your girl a better quality of life. Wishing you all the best as you navigate this unknown path. Bless you!
Sending Prayers and Support. My mom was diagnosed with Dementia disease when she was 62 years old 2 years ago. The Donepezil did very little to help her. The medical team did even less. Her decline was rapid and devastating. It was Hallucinations at first, then Walking difficulties. Last year, a family friend told us about Natural Herbs Centre and their successful Dementia Ayurveda TREATMENT, we visited their website natural herbs centre and ordered their Dementia Ayurveda protocol, i am happy to report the treatment effectively treated and reversed her Dementia , most of her symptoms stopped, she’s able to walk again, sleep well and exercise regularly.she’s active now, I can personally vouch for these remedy but you would probably need to decide what works best for you.
Hi Katherine,
I am so glad your mom is doing better, and the Ayurveda treatment helped improve her quality of life. I do think integrative medicine and herbal supplements can be very beneficial for dogs dealing with many diseases and conditions. Thank you for sharing your experience with us. Bless you and your family!
Hello, that’s so fantastic for your mother !!! What’s the name of the centre I’d love to check it out. My dog has some cognitive issues and we are treating holistically !
My boy Tucker is 16 1/2 at least . He was a rescue so we don’t know his age for sure but we’ve had him 15 years this month. He has always been the sweetest and best cocker spaniel you can imagine. We call him our golden boy because he is so good and he is also golden in color. His cognitive decline started over two years ago with a vestibular event that left him with a head tilt for a few months and it seemed to affect his hearing as well. Fast forward to today, he paces all the time, is in diapers as he will go whenever inside or out although he never had one accident in the house his entire life. He soils the house daily as well. We solved the night time pacing by giving him CBD oil every night and put a pen around his bed in our bedroom. This has worked beautifully and I am so grateful for the sleep. Before that, he paced all night. He paces during the day too but not as bad. To calm him, I will put him in his gated area and stay with him until he falls asleep. It’s like putting a baby down for a nap. Then I know he is resting and I can get things done. I work from home but when we leave the house he gets stressed and nervous and paces and sometimes has accidents while we are gone. I am like so many others that have posted in that I don’t think it is time yet even though my family does. He still knows me and totally relaxes when I hold him and rub his ears. The minute I stop, the pacing resumes. We have baby gates everywhere since we have stairs and have to carry him up and down as he doesn’t have the hind end strength to navigate stairs and has taken a small fall before. There is one very unusual thing that has developed is that he will randomly hop if he gets excited. I mean it is like when Rudolph was learning to fly. He leaps so high, we don’t know where the strength comes from and it worries us he will hurt himself but it still brings a smile. I visit this site daily and your blog has been invaluable to me in trying to evaluate his progression and quality of life. He still enjoys and leaps for meals and treats. But does not enjoy his walks anymore. I think he only feels comfortable inside the home. I am praying for some sign to let me know. We have had many sweet dogs and know this is the last loving act we can give them. He lost his lifetime cocker companion three years ago. We had hospice come to our home to put her at peace and to let Tucker know what happened to her. We will do the same for him as well as we have a little 4 year old pup that will miss him as well. They are our family and this decision is so so hard.
Dear Patti,
My heart goes out to you as you face some difficult decisions ahead for your beloved pup. He sounds like an amazing boy, and I can only imagine all the wonderful memories you’ve made together over the last 15 years. I pray for your strength in the hard times and for clarity to know when is best to say goodbye. Wishing you all the best and give your sweet boy a hug for me. ♥
Thank you Dr. Buzby! It is so incredible that you take the time to help so many with such hard and heart wrenching decisions. I think my biggest concern right now is knowing how to tell how much mental anguish the dog is having when confused and pacing. I think we have gotten so used to managing his confusion by herding him the right direction to go out the back door and herding him back inside or showing him where his food is, etc. that maybe we are losing sight of how much he may be suffering. We keep making accommodations and are happy to do it although it is a LOT of work. I can identify with what others have said in not wanting to give up on him but I don’t want to minimize his anxiety either. I SO wish I knew how he was feeling and perceiving his world. My husband says he’s not living his best life but I tell him I cannot make the decision until I can have no regrets. Although that probably isn’t possible anyway. Thank you for listening!
Dear Patti,
I understand how hard it is to make these impossible choices for a beloved pup. It is tough to get a grasp on quality of life when most of the issues are mental and not physical. I do think mental disease causes just as much suffering, if not more, than physical disease. Here are links to other articles that may be helpful:
1. Dementia in Dogs: When to Euthanize Your Beloved Senior Dog
2. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
3. How Will You Know When It’s Time to Euthanize Your Dog? 5 Caring, Heartfelt Messages
I’ll be keeping you in my thoughts and praying for you and your sweet pup.
My 16 yr old chorkie Moose started acting different, standing at the wrong side of the door, wandering back and forth through the house for hours , just really odd for him , not sleeping in the evenings as he always did, having more accidents in the house, whining and even howling he never howled ( even though it was the cutest thing) Mentioned this all to the vet and I think she knew but wanted to double check my observations so upon consultation with her other doc they came back to me with he had dementia. I thought wonderful he already had cataracts and was having more symptoms with that issue and his hearing is bad now this on top oh and arthritis in his hips.
Well now he just constantly pees and poops in the house and then goes to the door. Even if he is showing me signs he has to pee I take him out he won’t leave the porch it’s like he is terrified of the outside. On his good days he will go out and do good and look at us like see what I did. But the next day back to going in the house . We have pads everywhere sometimes he hits them most times he doesn’t . I tried diapers that just tweaked him out completely! He won’t take his meds and his supplements most nights when he does he has better days but I’m not going to force his
“Special treats” what we call them. It’s three soft chews for his hips, melatonin, and a probiotic, plus his actual med for his hips.
Idk if he is suffering he still greats me everyday after work and he has become much closer to my mom recently to the point where she can now hold him for about 20 mins and he sits quiet in her arms where before all this he was and never wanted to cuddle! Now he will snuggle up with her for a while and then seems to settle for a few hours . Can’t complain about this she loves every minute of this with him she is 92 so it does them both good. I just don’t know how to help the indoor accidents. I feel so bad for him, I don’t feel like he’s ready to go yet. I’ve never had a dog this old and don’t know how to help him.
Thanks for listening
Dear Pamela,
My heart goes out to you as you face this difficult situation with your senior guy. I can only imagine how hard it must be as the full-time caretaker of a dog with dementia, especially when taking care of an elderly parent as well. I know you mentioned you tried diapers. Were they actual diapers that cover the rear end and have a hole for the tail? If so, your boy may do better with male wraps that only go around the belly and cover the prepuce. It won’t help with fecal accidents, but if most of the issue is urination, then they could be very helpful. Some dogs don’t like the feel of a male wrap or diaper if used by themselves, but if partially covered by a sweater or shirt they may tolerate them better. Dogs can be picky (as I am sure you are aware!) and you have to take things day by day. I am glad your boy seems to be doing well despite his dementia symptoms and it’s wonderful he has been such a blessing to your mom. I will attach links to other articles with more information on how to evaluate quality of life. Praying for your comfort and strength as you navigate this emotional path ahead.
1. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
2. When Caring For A Sick Pet Becomes Too Much: Pet Caregiver Fatigue
3. Canine Cognitive Dysfunction in Dogs: Signs, Symptoms, Solutions
4. Dementia in Dogs: When to Euthanize Your Beloved Senior Dog
My 15 year old dog recently got diagnosed and I guess I knew it but I’m still in denial about this stage of life. It’s been very stressful and my first experiences with an aging dog. This cognitive thing in combination of advanced cataracts is incredibly hard. The article is spot on what I’m dealing with. Her only focus is going for a walk or eating. That’s the only difference is she has an appetite and she’s completely fixated on food and treats. And I do mean fixated. She’s just weird about actually eating tho and has to be coached. Hard to explain. Having a lot of accidents in the house now and all the pacing or just standing still and staring. It’s so hard to see her this way. She has no interest in toys and the only real time I see her personality is going for a walk or of course feeding her. She doesn’t even bark anymore. I want so bad to help her but I can’t. Night time is hard cause I need to sleep for work but she’s ultra clingy and paces or begs for food but nothing satisfies her. I feel bad ignoring her so I rarely get full sleep anymore. I’ve had her for 12 years and she’s definitely my kid as I didn’t have any. I just want her happy and see her thru this part of her life, I wish it were easier on me. And all this is only in the last year. She’s still the best dog ever so I’ll love on her and do my best to make her happy.
Dear Marie,
My heart goes out to you as you walk this difficult path with your senior girl. Being a full-time caregiver to a dog with dementia is so very hard. Here are links to other articles that address your specific situation:
1. When Caring For A Sick Pet Becomes Too Much: Pet Caregiver Fatigue
2. Dementia in Dogs: When to Euthanize Your Beloved Senior Dog
Hoping you can make the most of each day you are gifted. Wishing you both happiness and comfort. Bless you. ♥
hey, ive been up most of the night. my 15.5 year old female chihuahua Olivia has had same symptoms as yours pretty much. i saw her change and just figured it was age when i had to get up a couple times at night to tale her downstairs to potty. maybe 4 or 5 months ago she started making waking me up at night and i would take her downstairs because she wouldn’t tinkle on her pads i habe in my room. once we got back upstairs i wiuld get us back in bed and ready to fall asleep and she would get up and stand at the end of the bed until i would let her down….then she would sit and just look at the corner of my room or walk around with no purpose…so i take her down again and she dosnt do.anything…she dosnt need to potty or drink or eat. sorry for rambling , i am tired. we started giving her a a chewable med for dementia like 30 days ago and she had like 3 good weeks. no all nighters! but the last couple days shes been pretty bad and she disnt eat anything yesterday and she hasnt dtayed still for more than 30 minutes tonight. reading this page gives me a little comfort but its hard to watch her at night. so hard to get sleep when i know shes just stating at the wall on my bedroom floor. im gonna try to stay positive and just keep her mind as occupied as possible. im gonna try to walk.her 2x a day if i can. its hard cuz im disabled. have you noticed your dogs breathing at night? a couple times i habe watched her back rasie as she breathes in and out and all of a sudden her back jumps….almost like a hiccup. it happens no matter where she is in her breath movment. im wondering if this is bothhering her and what it is cuz ive only noticed on 2 occasion and it lasted a few minutes. sorry for spelling errors. very tired. I’ll say a prayer for your fur baby. just do the best you can. thats all we can do. stressing about it wont help her or me.
Dear Tim,
I am sorry you are in this difficult situation with your senior girl. Caregiving for a dog with dementia can be very hard and often carries a heavy burden. If you are worried about whether Olivia is suffering, I encourage you to reach out to your vet for a quality-of-life assessment. Ultimately, you have to trust your intuition as you know her better than anyone. Sometimes letting go is the most loving option and only way to offer peace and rest. I pray you will find the advice you need to make the best decision for everyone involved. Wishing you strength and comfort as you navigate this emotional path.
I am so sorry about this. My 16 year old was diagnosed today with CCD and he lost his vision a few years ago and today we went back to the vet because he still has not barked since last October and I won’t leave him alone if he is awake at night so I sit with him and the only thing that he likes are walks and eating. I know how you feel. I have been sleep deprived also
Dear Zoe,
Sending you my sympathy and praying for your strength as you navigate this difficult path. ♥
I think my 14 year old ShihTzu also has Doggy Dementia. Everything in this read, along with the comments is very much him right now. He has cataracts and is already blind but such a sweet and chill little man. But then he had some seizures, decreased appetite and started pacing around all the time even at night. This is so heartbreaking to see, knowing that there’s nothing I can do about it. I give him all the love and support that I can. He’s been with me through hardships and I cannot imagine life without him.
Dear Angelina,
I am sorry your senior guy is having issues with cognitive dysfunction. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to your vet to see if there are any medications or supplements that might offer relief from these severe symptoms. Try to make the most of the time you are gifted. Wishing you both comfort and peace.
I rescued a chocolate lab. He is about 8 years old. He sleeps all day and I have not heard him bark once. I’ve had him for almost 2 months. I came across your post due to my searching to figure out what may be the cause. He has been to the vet several times. No mention of cognitive issues.
Hi Aurora,
I am glad you are taking such an active role in advocating for your senior guy. Unfortunately, without examining your dog myself, it is hard to know if this behavior is normal or cause for concern. It is possible that this is just your boy’s personality and there is nothing wrong with his cognitive function. Please make sure your vet is aware of your concerns and don’t hesitate to bring up the topic of canine dementia. It may be that you could try some supplements or other therapies just to see if they make a difference. Hoping you can get the answers you need to ensure your sweet boy remains happy and healthy for as long as possible.
I have a 10 year old greyhound. He was diagnosed with Sundowners/ Dementia a couple months ago. I started seeing changes during the night. He would wander around the house, looked confused and very disoriented. I’d find him in the middle of a hall staring at the wall whining. Lately he’s gotten very needy and needs to be near me all time. Other symptoms are popping up a little at a time but I’ve learned one thing. I need to keep everything in the same place and something as simple as a new bowl will throw him off. His sibling shows no signs but he is changing. When talking to my vet she says the bigger dogs will sometimes show signs earlier. I never thought of these 2 as seniors but he’s showing more signs now. He shows a little more fear than he use to. But he’s still good with the other greyhounds we have but very close to his sister. So keeping everything as normal and in the same place and nothing new is helping some. We’re taking one day a time. He still loves his walks and rides and will still play with his toys so we will continue that. And routine means everything.
Hi Judy,
I am sorry your senior guy is struggling with dementia. I am glad you have a good routine in place, and he seems to be maintaining fairly well. Thank you for sharing your experience with us. Wishing you continued success as you navigate this difficult path. Bless you and yours!
So sorry to hear about your fur baby…gabapentin has really helped my boy, we are able to sleep through the night most of the time..don’t know if it works for every dog but it’s really helped us
Old Man Lou is 16 and diagnosed with dementia around a year and an half ago.
He sleeps a lot during the day now and can get confused or bark at nothing from time to time, however main symptom we struggle with is: like clockwork at around 3 or 4am he wakes up crying and confused and goes searching the house + pacing the hallway looking for a parent to help him…. The parents being us who are literally in the room his bed was in. When we walk out to get him he thinks – ooh you’re up it must be morning + time for breakfast!
Being a one meal a day guy for all the years we have had him we, started splitting his meals so that he can eat half his food at night before bed. This was an experiment we found tends to push his pacing routine out to the *actual* morning.
Recently though, he has been forgetting he has had dinner right after eating it, possibly just a further sign of decline.
Despite this he still clearly has some joy in life. Sitting in the sun by the back door, taking short walks – even occasionally the elderly zoomies when our kids get home from school! We love him to bits.
Hi Jen,
Old Man Lou sounds like such an awesome guy. What a blessing you have shared 16 years together! Thank you for sharing your experience with our readers. I love the community this forum has created where we can all offer encouragement and sympathy to each other. I am praying for your strength as you navigate the unknown path ahead. Wishing Lou and your family all the best. ♥
I’ve just realised tonight that my 16 yo blueheeler might has a dog’s dementia, as I’ve fed her a dinner and 10 minutes layer she was demanding it like she never had it!
Also, she was waking up at about 4.30-5am every morning to “talk” or start crying for food. Normally we feed her at 6am.
Another symptom is she became a littbit aggressive/jealous to her younger “sister” kelpie.
I wonder if dog’s melatonin will help her?
Hi Lenna,
I am sorry your senior girl is dealing with these new behavior issues. While they could definitely be symptoms of dementia, it is always best to rule out other medical causes as well. Has your pup had any lab work done recently? I encourage you to mention your concerns to your vet and ask about the possibility of using melatonin to help decrease the severity of your dog’s symptoms. Hoping you can get some answers and find a way to ensure your girl remains happy and healthy for as long as possible.
yes! she still loves the short walk and loves to see me when i get home. it so very hard to know if they are suffering. if i have to get up with her at night and let her walk aimlessly i will but not if i lnew she was scared. if she is just kind of in la la land…well that dosnt make me feel so bad but if she is scared….i dont know. i can let her go through that. its hard becuz shes not very vocal at all. i trained her not to bark a long time ago. so i just wake up when i feel her at the end of my.bed. she is also 95 percent deaf. she has glossy eyes but can see. i habe 55 inch.t.v. that plays a rain soundtrack witj a giant bush. its supposed to look like a window i guess. when shes doing bad and i turn on the light or at least a t.v. show i thibk it helps her. i think next time she wont settle down i will just wake myself up and put on the t.v. and see if she will feel safer to sleep. then ill go back to sleep. i like.this forum. maybe we all can share things that help with this illness. i will tey to share something more positive next time. thanks for letting me share. lets hang in there. i thibk you are good pet parents if your dog is old enough for this illness and the fact you are on this website. lets remeber we are doing all we can amd that our friends have had good lives with us! all of this is part of life. so lets handle.this part the best we can with no regrets. God bless.
Tim
A friend adopted a dog from the animal shelter about a month ago that was found as a stray. It looks most like a Lhasa Apso or possibly a Shih Tzu. The fur is completely white. They estimate the dog is 7 years old.
The dog is very aggressive but in a less predictable way than I’ve encountered. It bit me on the hand and would bit at my pant legs while barking as I was walking in the apartment. After it bit me my friend told me it bit a maintenance worker and I think at least one other person in the short time she’s had it. It has also tried to bite her although not nearly as frequently.
When I came to the door the dog began barking. My friend opened the door and the dog barked more and its body la gage was very excited or aggressive. We gave it a little time to calm down.. It seemed calm so I bent down slowly and waited for any reaction. It was still appearing calm but on guard. Then I began to slowly put the back of my hand toward the dog and it remained calm. So I pet it for a minute or so. As soon as I started pulling my hand away it lunged and bit my thumb. Leaving two deep puncture wounds.
So, I went into apartment to clean my wounds and see the apartment as I’d never been there before. Then we left with the dog trying to but my leg and getting my pants instead. As we were going out the door the dog pushed out. My friend couldn’t catch the dog in time. So I needed to. Using my leg mostly I was able to stop it and then return it inside the apartment. It didn’t try to bite me. But once back in the apartment it became very aggressive again and probably would have bitten me.
When my friend and I returned we went inside to watch a football game. I sat on a chair and my friend sat on the couch. I could see both times in the apartment the dog generally tried to stay between me and my friend.
While we watched the game and talked. I the dog had calmed. My friend gave me a treat to give to the dog and I did, carefully letting it see the treat in my hand but dropping it to the floor when the dog got close enough it could try to bite instead. It showed no aggression until after it finished the treat. At that point it barked at me. I had been careful not to move after dropping the treat. So it barked without me doing anything. It didn’t bark long.
.Then the dog was quiet and sat beside me. Still somewhat between me and my friend. I tried slowly offering my hand with the back of it facing the dog. As soon as my hand was within its site as it was facing my friend
it barked and tried to bite.
After awhile again I tried only this time my hand came in from behind to the back of the dog’s neck. It didnt react. Which surprised me as I expected because it couldn’t see my hand it would be more aggressive. I began to pet the dog and it let me do it for as long as I wanted. It even made positive sounds when rubbing behind its ears and was twisting its head to let me pet the ears more. I kept one hand on the back of its head while petting. Just in case it tried to turn its head and bite but it didn’t.
I even moved my hand to its chest so it could see me. I had to basically do it under the jaw in the neck. So I could stop it if it tried to bite. But as long as I was petting it. There was no signs of aggression or biting.
I began to pet the dog on the back near its tail to see if it would try to turn and bite. But all it did was that funny squatting and butt wagging dogs do when they like it.
I also was using the petting to see if it had any sensitive areas like the hips, ears belly, legs and even lower jaw. No sensitivity or even displeasure with me petting or massaging any of those areas.
But as soon as I’d pull my hand away from petting. If it was in the line of site for the dog it would begin barking and snapping for about 10-20 seconds and then stop. So long as I didn’t move.
It even came up to me a few times while it was wandering around the apartment and sat in a way which seemed to indicate it wanted to be pet. So that showed it didn’t seem to have a constant need to be between my friend and me.
When I was leaving my friend stayed on the couch and I was letting myself out. As I began to walk away the dog became aggressive and was biting my pant leg. The dog had been in the living room so I wasn’t coming towards it, I was walking away.
It tried to escape when I opened the door. So I had to use my leg and them hands to get it back into the apartment. No aggression or biting. As soon as it was in the apartment and I was closing the door it started being aggressive again.
My friend is disabled and already is attached to this dog. They didn’t seem to react to the dog biting me with the seriousness I’d expected. They basically were saying ‘he does that’. The fact they didn’t warn me ahead of time and at least have the dog in a leash reflects that.
After talking with them I learned they had a family dog when they were young that would bite anyone that tried to come near them. This seemed almost to be seen as a good thing especially since the dog wasn’t protective of other family members like that.
So, I know regardless of why the dog is being aggressive. I have to try to convince me friend that the aggression and absolutely the biting cannot be tolerated by them.
But my question is about the dog. It was aggressive right from when she adopted it.
Since it was a stray they don’t know the history. One clue may be when the dog was found it was in good health showing whomever had it before at least took some degree of care for it.
I know this likely is one which needs a professional trainer. Especially since it may take some training for the dog AND my friend. Unfortunately my friend is disabled and on a fixed income. So that may not be an option.
Here are my thoughts on what the root cause may be. Of course it could be a mixture of some of these too:
– It has always been allowed to be this aggressive
– It has not yet settled into its new home so it’s on more on guard than usual.
– It has some type of dementia or other ailment setting in changing its behavior.
– It learned some survival behaviors while abandoned to protect itself, etc. They don’t know how long it was on the streets.
I want to try to help. But if the underlying issue is something like dementia, a stroke or ? Anything I do will not be of any help. I’m on a fixed income too so paying for professional training isn’t an option. The animal shelter is a county shelter so they don’t offer any of those services for free or at a reduced rate.
Are there things I can do that will help determine whether this is learned behavior. Or this is due to an underlying medical issue? Do these breeds get things like dementia at 7 (an estimate by the vet. So it could be 8 or 9).
Of course I’m concerned about the dog biting someone, including my friend. But I’m also concerned that they would get sued if it bites someone. And they already have limited funds. Also, since my friend has to spend a lot of time at home. People may just opt not to come visit as much but not tell them it’s because of the aggression from the dog. Or, it will come to a point after biting someone that the dog has to be euthanized and enough time has gone by my friend is even more attached to the dog. So for her sake and the dog’s sake I want to try to help if I can. I had trained German Shepherd’s with a breeder when I was young. As well as having adopted 5 rescued dogs during my life. Learning to train them specifically based upon the challenges they had. Which mostly seemed to stem from some kind of abuse or lack of socialization at the hands of their prior families. I could be wrong but this dog doesn’t seem to be reacting in a way that I’ve experienced before me with dogs that have been abused. Unless maybe it’s a combination of abuse and other factors like a medical issue.
Thanks you for any insight you may have.
Dear Doug,
I commend you for being such a good friend and trying to find some answers. Unfortunately, this is just a BAD situation. This behavior cannot be tolerated. While it could be possible to treat this aggression with behavior training, the odds are not in this dog’s favor. Without some thorough testing, there is no way to know if a medical cause is to blame. But in most cases, aggression comes from fear, which comes from a lack of socialization during the very early formative days of a dog’s life. Aggression can also be genetic and can be passed to puppies from their mother/father. I am not sure where you are located, but in my state after biting and breaking the skin, this dog would be required to undergo rabies quarantine and would be at risk of being deemed dangerous by the city (imposes some very strict regulations on how the dog can be kept and handled for the rest of its life). I hate to say this, but euthanasia could be the best option. When a dog is a danger and risk to the lives of humans, there isn’t much wiggle room for how to proceed. You may have to contact animal control and get their help to ensure your friend is safe. Praying for clarity and strength to navigate this tough path. Bless you. ♥
This dog is recourse guarding, which is your disabled friend.
He needs a behaviourist as well as a trainer. Shelter are not a good place for dogs as some animals cannot handle the noise, stress and differant human lack of behaviour.
All these things need to be untrained. Your friend must lear to destress the dog through play and games to release his or her energy. The room is his safe place as the kennel was. See if there is a shelter that offers training.
I have been managing my 16 year old Bichon/shih tzu’s CCD for over a year now. He’s blind, but other than that he’s healthy, until his episodes of being uncontrollably terrified for hours on end started. Pacing, shaking, drooling, climbing on things that he can’t even really climb in as if a door should be there. He was diagnosed with CCD and we’ve been managing with Selegiline daily and Gabapentin when needed. It worked wonders, and he was mostly himself again. Such a happy guy, and absolutely thrilled when I take him on walks. He tends to now go through what we call “dementia episodes”, where his brain seems to slip and he struggles for a few days, and then bounces back. He’s currently in one, and it’s awful, depressing, and maddening. He absolutely will not stop pacing the house. For over two days now. I literally don’t know how his body allows it. It is absolutely non stop. And the sound of his nails kind of dragging on the floor, constantly, is so draining. He is obsessed with water, and so I have to limit it. Even with that, I’m having to take him out every two hours to try and prevent accidents, he will just pee while walking. This morning I tried to hand feed him and it’s if he’s forgotten how to eat. He barely opens his mouth and just kind of uses the side of his mouth to try and push food in…I have no idea of he will come out of this episode, or if I should even wait and see. 3 days so far of non stop pacing. I feel like his body and legs will just give out…He hasn’t touched a toy, he will go on walks but, I don’t see the joy he usually has for them, it’s just as if he’s forging forward on instinct. I’ve come to the point of thinking I’m going to make the decision and put him down multiple times now, and then he’s improved. But I don’t even know how much longer I can take this emotional rollercoaster. It is awful to lose a dog this way. I don’t know if he currently knows who I am, he just trudges around me all day.
Dear Clarissa,
I am so sorry your boy is struggling, and his mental state is declining. While he may bounce back again after a few days, it is clear the improvement will only be temporary. It is ok to let go while there is still some joy, before all happiness is lost and the only thing that remains is confusion and suffering. I will attach links to other articles with more information on how to know when to say goodbye. Praying for clarity in the midst of this emotional situation and wishing you and your sweet boy comfort and peace.
1. Dementia in Dogs: When to Euthanize Your Beloved Senior Dog
2. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
3. When Caring For A Sick Pet Becomes Too Much: Pet Caregiver Fatigue
4. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
first of all I would like to say thank you for posting this about our struggle with your wee dog journeys end, it has really helped me immensely to make up my mind .. Like you, I have been going mad emotionally with lack of sleep and just plain frustration as to my dogs up and down in health. Doing well for a few days then going downwards again .. she has kidney disease and was doing well for the past year .. she is 17 now and showing an increase in pacing during the night and during the day time hours .. watching her is sheer agony 🙁 she is till eating but drinking less .. its as if she has to remind herself how to lap at the water so I took to using the syringe .. she still eats and that is where the decision making was a problem, As they say if they are still eating and drinking there is hope, but in this case I feel its now the only enjoyment she has left and she does struggle to eat due to loosing her balance all the time .. Everything you have written here is what I’m going through with her and it has come to the stage whereby I no longer can keep it up without it totally draining me, meaning she will not be looked after as she deserves in her waning days due to my own ongoing tiredness .. I am booking her in to have a home euthanasia .. It is time !! I now know that after reading your post !! So thank you again , it has eased much in my endless back and forth for weeks as to when is the right time ..
Dear Susan,
I am sorry you are facing this difficult decision for your senior girl. From what you describe, I agree that saying goodbye is the most loving option. I am praying that her passing will be smooth and peaceful. Wishing you comfort and strength as you navigate this emotional path ahead. Bless you and your sweet girl. ♥
I’m going to ask my dog’s doctor next week, but I’m curious about if some of my senior dog’s very recent behavior might be dementia? This evening she was watching my sister prepare her food, and she started darting her head around? Looking at the floor, at something that wasn’t there, floor, sister, where the bowl will go, so on. Quite quickly. She usually just sits and waits for me to get the food ready. I gave her a bath before this, and since the bath she has seemed more engaged, energetic, and a lot of tail wagging. It’s new behavior, as of this evening. I used warm water, so maybe she’s just feeling better joint wise? She also lost a ton of undercoat (and she’s still wet,) so maybe isn’t quite as hot as before? I’ve been looking it up for 20 minutes or so, but I’m not really finding anything about other dogs with cognitive decline doing this.
Hi Nikki,
I am sorry your senior girl has started having these strange episodes. Of course, without examining her myself, I can’t make specific conclusions. But it would be good to rule out the possibility of seizure activity. I encourage you to talk to your vet and schedule an appointment to have her evaluated. Hoping this puzzling behavior is nothing to be concerned about and wishing you all the best.
My pup is 13 and has started wandering the house and waking me up every single night. I close all the closet and bathroom doors so he doesn’t get stuck or lost. I find him staring at nothing with confusion and being unable to climb into his bed that’s less than 6 inches off the floor. I can’t remember the last time I’ve slept peacefully because of this. He’s mainly sleeping during the day but has become extremely clingy and needs to be touching me all day. He still eats and uses the bathroom normally but isn’t excited to play or be around anyone but me. I am EXHAUSTED!
Dear Tired dog mom,
My heart goes out to you with this difficult situation you are facing. You are not alone, and I read comments from others that feel the same way every day. I know you want to do what is best for your pup and sometimes saying goodbye is the most loving option. The most heartbreaking thing about dementia is it breaks the bond we share with a beloved pup. When they no longer are comforted by our presence and the daily tasks of caregiving drive a wedge between you, it could be time to offer them freedom from their struggles and peace. I will attach links to other articles with more information. Praying for your comfort and strength. Bless you and your sweet boy.
1. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
2. When Caring For A Sick Pet Becomes Too Much: Pet Caregiver Fatigue
3. Dementia in Dogs: When to Euthanize Your Beloved Senior Dog
Our dear little papillon will be 19 in April. Having recently lost both a mother and MIL to dementia I am aware of the stages and many characteristics of this disease. I had heard senior dogs can suffer from dementia and fear my dog may be well into stage 4. He lost his hearing 3 years ago and his eyesight has deteriorated in recent years. For a while I sensed he had some peripheral vision but now his sight is all but gone. We stopped walking him about two years ago when he began falling off the curb and showing increased anxiety on his walks. We take him outside regularly to do his business but accidents happen indoors frequently and, as of late, he soils his bed at night. More recently when we take him outside he may or may not remember to do his business and barks for no apparent reason, at least none that we understand. This week I have noticed him wandering around the house more than usual and bumping into furniture. He is also walking in circles and can’t seem to stop. Your article confirms many of the characteristics of late stage dementia. We love him dearly and want him to be comfortable but worry that he may be suffering. Other than a good appetite our papillon is showing increased signs of dementia. Do we let nature take its course and see him through his final days or months? Wish we could tell what he would want.😔
Dear Monika,
My heart aches for you with all the loss you have endured. I am sorry you are now facing a similar situation with your beloved pup. I generally do not recommend waiting for a dog to pass on their own. A natural death is often not very peaceful or something you would want to experience. I will attach links to other articles with more information on how to know when it is time to say goodbye. There are great comments from other readers as well. I am hopeful you will find the advice you need to navigate this difficult path. Wishing you strength and comfort for the tough days ahead. Bless you and your sweet boy.
1. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
2. Dementia in Dogs: When to Euthanize Your Beloved Senior Dog
3. Dog Euthanasia: Knowing When to Say Goodbye
4. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
Reading this has made me feel much better about life with our Sparky, who is certainly 20 years old. Now I understand that the problems are mine, because it’s hard sometimes! He’s always had ADHD which caused him to travel a 123 kind of path, which made it easier to catch him when he’d been abandoned as a pup after a financial crisis that caused many breeders to shut down. He’s a Tibalier. He’s always been super active, encouraging me to walk six miles a day plus active play! My figure misses those times! 🤣 But now he can’t make it up the stairs to go to bed, so for the last season I’ve been sleeping on the couch so that he doesn’t try to follow me upstairs. Now he goes OUT for sleep, so I’m probably good there. My husband & I carry him down the backyard steps so he doesn’t fall because he’ll often try to just jump it with seeming enthusiasm, and we usually have to carry him up lest he bash his face trying to jump up. He finds the water bowl just fine, but often he doesn’t remember which side of the door opens. A gentle foot guide sets him through the door where he skips like a puppy awaiting his treat! Eating has become a real issue though, other than Milk Bones and cat food. He began to refuse dry food, so I added moist. Doing a combination of dry puppy food with canned senior seems to’ve made a great difference, but he’ll only eat if I sit next to him and either stir the food or hand feed it (EW). Then yesterday he ate a whole cup of just dry food!? The problem with eating is that he spins, stepping in it, and burns so much energy that he’s gotten thin! My husband had the thought to get some of those chewy semi moist food bits, and we’re giving those chunks more often as treats than Milk Bones.. That, in combination with the puppy food, has put some weight on him. The wet food gets crusted on his nose, but he lets me clean him without complaining. He struggles to stand at times, slipping around, but we have hardwood floors with some rugs. I bought some rubber shelf lining to make an eating matt for him and it works. He has his teeth, he’s not incontinent, though he sometimes shit-walks if I don’t pay close attention. He’s obviously daft at times. Sometimes it takes two hours to feed him, and it’s a pain! But is he a problem or is the problem mine to deal with? I think this guy has a lot more to offer if I’m patient and caring. Some people have said it’s time to CALL IT, but Is it? He playfully bites my fingers when I get his toes and skips in the air when he comes inside… NOTHING like any 20 year old dog I can find on the Net! Sure he sleeps a LOT, but he’s still sparking! The last real heath issue he had was 3 years ago when he jumped so high in excitement at my husband coming home that he fell and bruised his kidneys. This does not sound like a dog ready to call quits! If it takes an hour to feed him, well I can sit on the floor and watch videos while stirring his food or holding it up for him. I wash my hands OFTEN! 🤣 NO, I’m not giving up, and when this current Arctic blast has passed we’re going for some walks! It’s difficult, and a pain, but I don’t see signs of any real suffering anymore than my old knees and brain farts give me! We’re hanging in there with the old dude! I do NOT see any signs that we need to CALL IT. I feel more reasonable now. Thank you for this site!
Hi Tree,
I am glad the article helped you to feel more confident in your decisions and was encouraging. It sounds like Sparky is living his best life and is well cared for. Wishing you both many happy days ahead. Enjoy each day you are gifted and give your sweet boy a hug for me!
Just reading of this all for the first time. My 13 year old Staff is showing alot of these signs. Most of them to be honest.
He paces at night, whines and cries at nothing, is repeatedly off his food, sleeps ALOT, drinks then drinks again making himself cough back up the water, isn’t interested in walks after asking to go for one, asks to go out then wants to come straight back in, most recently (as of tonight actually and how I came across this page) he growled and snapped unprovoked at my infant son.
I thought it was just signs of his age, I didn’t even know things like this existed in dogs and I’m having alot of trouble coming to terms with it.
Dear Andrew,
My heart aches for you as you face this uncertain future for your senior boy. I am sorry his mental state is declining, and you may have to make some difficult decisions about his quality of life. I will attach links to other articles with more information. Wishing you the best as you navigate this emotional path.
1. Canine Cognitive Dysfunction in Dogs: Signs, Symptoms, Solutions
2. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
3. Dementia in Dogs: When to Euthanize Your Beloved Senior Dog
My Pomeranian Teddy Bear is nearly 15 years old. He had a bout of pancreatitis last year, but fully recovered and has been very healthy. His appetite is extremely good, especially for his dinner meal (he gets 2 meals a day). I try to walk him 2x a day, about 20 minutes total and weather permitting he gets lots of supervised time in our fenced backyard.
At night, he normally sleeps on our bed, from ~8:30pm-6am. However, within the last 3 days he has started getting up at night. First it was 4am, then 2am, then midnight, acting very excited like he was ready to start the new day.
When this happened, I took him on a very short 5 minute walk in case he needed to potty and to try to get some energy out of him. When he goes outside, he does not seem to be in a big hurry to pee or poop, so that doesn’t seem to be the reason he wakes up and jumps down from our bed. Once back in the house, I spend the remainder of the night on the couch with him, so I don’t disturb my wife and other Pom in bed.
He will occasionally approach an opening door from the hinged side until he realizes it’s opening at the other end. After a meal, even his larger dinnertime one, he’ll pace the floor as if looking for even more food. He has an insatiable appetite in the afternoon.
His hearing is greatly diminished but his vision appears to still be very good.
My wife has noticed him sometimes acting nervous when I am not around and suggested it may be separation anxiety.
We are watching him closely to see if his current waking-up behavior improves or worsens.
Hi Kerry,
I understand your concern for Bear and these strange new behaviors he is exhibiting. What you describe does sound like symptoms of dementia or what we refer to as canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD). I am sure you have heard of sundowners in humans. Well dogs can experience sundowners too, usually as a manifestation of CCD. I will attach links to other articles with more information. I highly recommend you talk to your vet about Bear’s struggles and see if there is a medication or supplement that could offer some relief. Wishing you both the best as you make your way forward along this unknown path. Bless you and your sweet boy.
1. Canine Cognitive Dysfunction in Dogs: Signs, Symptoms, Solutions
2. Selegiline for Dogs: A Helpful Medication for Canine Cognitive Dysfunction
3. Sundowners in Dogs: A Veterinarian’s Guide
4. Senior Dog Anxiety at Night? 9 Solutions for Better Sleep
My seven year old lab/Shepard mix is showing some of these signs. She is spending lots of time standing and just staring off into space at nothing. She already has anxiety with thunder storms etc. Every evening over the last week she all of a sudden has anxiety attacks. Could she be sundowning? She comes to me for comfort and it’s so sad to see her that way. I will be calling her vet this week. Thank you for sharing this information. She’s so young and healthy otherwise. 😢
Hi Erin,
I understand your concern for your girl and agree these new behavioral issues need to be discussed with your vet. While dementia is a possibility, I do not usually expect to see symptoms in dogs as early as 7 years old. Here is a link to an article that may offer more information: Senior Dog Anxiety at Night? 9 Solutions for Better Sleep
I always like to rule out other medical causes before suggesting treatment for dementia. Starting with some lab work would probably be best and then your vet can continue to guide you along this unknown path. Hoping you can get the answers needed to ensure your sweet girl remains happy and healthy for years to come. Wishing you both nothing but the best.
Im 11 year old male Yorkie Tank has been diagnosed with CCG. At first it was mild changes like asking for food more often or wanting to go outside but then looking at me like why are we out here. It was progressed to where he asks for food about every few hours , is having accidents at in the house , and at night he literally sits on the bed shaking , barks non stop at nothing , and is now waking up every hour asking for food. He’s on meds and even something to help him sleep but it doesn’t seem to make a difference . He wants to be by me some days and others he doesn’t want to be bothered with me or his brother. I hate watching him go through this.
Dear TS,
My heart goes out to you as you face this difficult situation with your little guy. Dementia is so cruel and sometimes saying goodbye is the most loving option and only way to offer relief from suffering. I will attach links to other articles with more information and great advice from other readers. Wishing you strength and comfort as you navigate this tough road ahead. Bless you and your sweet boy.
1. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
2. Dementia in Dogs: When to Euthanize Your Beloved Senior Dog
3. When Caring For A Sick Pet Becomes Too Much: Pet Caregiver Fatigue
I admire your ability to find beauty in the ordinary and celebrate life’s little joys.
Hi Kurye,
Thank you for the kind words!
I noticed a bunch of yall said vet prescribed trazadone and gabapentin…my dog takes gabapentin as well and we tried the trazadone but the trazadone made her have a seizure…..anyone else have this happen with their dog???
I’m so glad I found this article and all the individual stories. I have a 14 yo chiweenie who has CCD and I keep debating the quality of life thing. The only thing that seems to bring her joy is eating, but even that is a mixed blessing. I have multiple dogs and she now constantly growls at them while I’m fixing meals. If I crate her while I’m doing it, she just cries. If I don’t crate her, most of my dogs ignore her but I have one little guy that will occasionally go after her. He doesn’t hurt her but it’s totally distressing for all of us. After meals she’ll spend about an hour walking around licking all of the dog bowls. She regularly gets “stuck” and cries. Lately though i sometimes hear her cry, go to find her, and she’s just standing in the middle of the room crying. She’s forgotten how to use the dog door so I have pee pads all over. She’ll only let me hold her briefly. She quit sleeping with me and the other dogs months ago, but everyday I bring her to bed for as long as she’ll tolerate it for some good cuddle time. Usually it’s just a few minutes, then she needs to pace. I have to quickly set her down from the bed or she’ll fall off. I have dog stairs, but she can’t get up them anymore and if she tries going down she falls. Her back knees are bad and honestly I have a red line that if she can’t get up, that’ll be the day I say goodbye. I almost wish that day would arrive. She also has a bad heart and that hit her hard almost three years ago. After multiple emergencies in a short period of time, we got her stabilized on meds. At that time my vet thought we might have bought her 4 months. Her last checkup re her heart was 4 months ago and she’s mostly holding her own heart wise, but the CCD is just so damned hard. Her life is pacing, sleeping, and eating. Debating the quality of life thing is what I do lately. Physically she could go on for awhile it seems – but is that quality? She’s mostly deaf and losing her vision. I THINK she knows me. She doesn’t interact with the other dogs anymore, doesn’t play, freaks out in the car, occasionally jumps around like a colt when I come home, but that’s getting pretty infrequent. I’ve read your comments about rather letting them go a little too early than too late and I feel the same. But is it time now? That I just don’t know. It breaks my heart every day wondering.
Dear Julie,
My heart aches for you as you try to navigate this difficult path. I completely understand your concern and the frustration and worry that accompanies being a caretaker for a dog with CCD. I will attach links to other articles with more information on this specific issue. Hoping you will find the advice and comfort you need as you read through other readers’ comments as well. I wish I could tell you exactly how to proceed, but as you already know, sometimes there just isn’t a definitive answer. I can offer you my heartfelt encouragement and sympathy. You are doing a great job, and I am certain your sweet girl knows how much you love her. Praying you can find a clear path forward and wishing you strength to face each new day. Bless you and your senior girl. ♥
1. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
2. Dementia in Dogs: When to Euthanize Your Beloved Senior Dog
3. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
4. How Will You Know When It’s Time to Euthanize Your Dog? 5 Caring, Heartfelt Messages
@Julie Simiskey, you just described my dog to a T… only difference is she is a 19 yr old chi-poo but all the symptoms you said about your dog sounds just like my baby…we don’t have any other dogs so she doesn’t show aggression but all the other things you described is exactly how my dog is and how I feel…..honestly I don’t think my dog wants to die…she has pushed through so many battles to be here…my vet told me 4 yrs ago she has kidney disease and probably only had a few months left with her… that’s a whole other story tho but pretty interesting one…. they said if we put her on a special kidney diet we might could buy maybe a yr or 2 but she wasn’t having that and refused to eat what they said she needed…the vet ended up saying to just give her whatever she wants cuz its better for her to eat anything than nothing at all and to let her enjoy what lil time she had left…here we are 4 yrs later of giving her a buffet of ppl food which normally consists of several different meats which are high in protein (which dogs with kidney disease are suppose to not eat) and I’m probably going to get rammed for this one but she gets about a half cup of chocolate milk every night before bed (she loves it and I think she’s actually addicted to it) but they said she didn’t have long and give her what she wants…so hete we are…..idk how she is still here but I’m grateful for every day she is…i think your dog will let you know when it’s time…i think eventuallythey will just give up and quit eating and drinking… that’s endnotes i think it’s time but idk..
Hi Stephanie,
You have a very interesting story! Some dogs just don’t go by the book and that’s ok. Your girl sounds like she is living her best life and loving every minute. Thank you for sharing your experience and keep up the good work.
This breaks my heart. I just found this article and your comment. It pretty much described my 16 year old Jack Russell, Gabby! The only thing she wants is food. She’s an only dog but she cries often and can’t find the door to come back in sometimes. I watch her from inside and at times she’ll just stop and stare. She’s also taken to wandering the house at night. I couldn’t figure out what was going on so I googled dogs and dementia as a lark, not thinking it was possible. I joked that she had sundowners because after caring for my parents who both had dementia she acted like them! I read this articles with tears and then your comment and it confirms it in my mind that not only is it possible, Gabby has it! She’s almost blind, hard of hearing and has arthritis too. She still gives me kisses at times but no longer snuggles and ducks my pats. It’s so sad. I hope she last a little longer for my sake but I don’t want her to suffer. It’s such a hard decision to make about the quality of life. I’ve just lost my Mum who was Gabby’s favorite and I thought at first it was just grief, for her and me both, but I know now that more behaviors have appeared and increased, that it’s more than grief. I can’t imagine my life without her but when she no longer knows me or gets worse I’ll have to make that decision. I love her so. My heart breaks for us both, you and your pup, me and mine.
Dear Judith,
My heart goes out to you as you face this difficult path with your beloved pup. I am glad the article was informative and that you have found some comfort from others in a similar situation. Make the most of the time you are gifted. Spoil Gabby rotten and find joy in each day. Wishing you strength and peace. Bless you and your sweet girl.
Great article, I came here looking for clues about our old fella’s recent activity. He is a 15 year old Labrador/Border Collie mix. As you can imagine, he has always been very high energy. We’ve had him since puppyhood. He’s doing well. Recently recovered fully from an episode of Vestibular Old Dog Syndrome, that was scary. He eats, drinks, eliminates normally. So we’re doing great. He’ll be 16 in March. But recently, in the evenings after dinner he has been very high energy and restless, we compare it to the exhausted toddler who can’t sit still but won’t fall asleep. He wants to play, and grabs toy after toy and won’t settle or really play either. It’s pure frustration for him. We feel like his brain is still the two year old Lab/Collie mix, but his body is an old man. Concerned about dementia, I googled and ended up here. I’m happy to say he doesn’t seem to have any of the severe signs, but the restlessness is there. And occasionally he will stand at the wrong edge of a door we’ve used forever. Perhaps the beginnings? We’ve noticed this behavior subsides somewhat if we put his harness and leash on and go on a “walk”. Which at his age, means out in the front yard, get some smells, and back in. We’ve found just the act of putting on the gear helps him. Having a senior dog is such a bittersweet experience, but I wouldn’t change it for anything. We are involved with our vet about all of this. Thank you for your insight.
Hi Melanie,
I am sorry your senior guy is starting to struggle a bit. It does sound like the early stages of dementia based on what you described. I am glad you have discussed your concerns with your vet as it is always a good idea to rule out other more serious medical causes first. Hoping you can partner with your vet to find the best supplements/treatments to keep the progression to a minimum for as long as possible. Your boy is lucky to have you taking such good care of him. Wishing you all the best and keep up the great work!
Hi! Unfortunately, my (aprox) 18 yr dog has dementia and we have reached a stage where we are both exhausted… She is a rescue and we saved each other. She entered my life when I had severe depression and I made it into her life when she had no roof above her head and no food to eat. I am writing these lines with tears in my eyes because of the thought of euthanasia ran through my mind… Watching her degenerate day by day, seeing her rejecting me, she bearly knows how to eat, she doesn’t enjoy seeing me anymore (probably because she doesn’t know who I am anymore), her sleeping problems… It just rips everything inside me. Yet, I am wondering if that thought of letting her cross the rainbow is the right thing to do… I have dog-with-CCD proofed all my house but she still finds ways to get stuck and hurt herself. A word of advice from someone like you would mean a lot to me. She is beyond the point in which I can give her medication because of her liver and kidney issues and also because of the advanced form of dementia she has…
Dear Cristina,
My heart goes out to you as you contemplate this emotional decision. I understand you want to do what is best for your sweet girl and it sounds like letting go may be the most loving option. I always think it is better to say goodbye one day too early rather than one day too late and allow unnecessary suffering. It is ok to give your girl a peaceful goodbye before all joy is gone and the only thing left is struggling and pain. I will attach links to other articles with more information and great advice from other readers. I am certain you will find the answers you need to make the best choice for you and your pup. Praying for your strength and comfort for your heart. Bless you and your senior girl. ♥
1. Dementia in Dogs: When to Euthanize Your Beloved Senior Dog
2. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
3. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
4. How Will You Know When It’s Time to Euthanize Your Dog? 5 Caring, Heartfelt Messages
My dog has been acting so strange for a couple months now and has all of these symptoms. It started smaller signs, just kind of acting confused.. I took him to the vet and he said he was blind in his right eye and had cataracts in his left eye and probably gets worse at night. After the 1st vet visit, he started getting more aggressive but then almost quickly acting like he didn’t mean to or remorseful.. like it wasn’t him.. then he started whining ALOT, then barking randomly.. almost every day starting late afternoon and evening.. at night it’s worse.. barking and whining.. we were thinking it was arthritis, which he’s had for a while.. got him some pain medicine from the vet, but it didn’t stop or seem to help.. then it was staring at things that aren’t there, laying around more than usual and now it’s like when he is up he is pacing., he has also had a little vomiting, and when I say he would have died before he peed in the house, it’s not an exaggeration.. now he does it almost daily. I’ve been trying everything to soothe him and make him comfortable, this seems to be all of his symptoms and describes him almost perfectly, but what is confusing to me, is he is almost 9 years old. Would he have dementia this early?!
Hi Brittany,
I can understand why you are concerned as these are some drastic behavior changes that your dog is showing. They do sound a lot like what you would see in dementia, and while your dog is a bit younger than the average dog who starts to have signs of dementia, it could still be dementia. Alternatively, I suppose it is also possible that something like a mass (tumor, granuloma, etc) that is taking up space in the brain or some sort of damage to the brain tissue could also be causing the behavior changes (but I would think that you would be seeing other signs like seizures, change in gait, etc).
Sorry that I can’t give you a more specific answer. I hope that you are able to find some solutions that help him remain calm and comfortable.
You may have read them already, but in case they are helpful, there is a list of my other articles on dementia (or similar topics):
1) Canine Cognitive Dysfunction in Dogs: Signs, Symptoms, Solutions
2) Selegiline for Dogs: A Helpful Medication for Canine Cognitive Dysfunction
3) Could Your Dog Have Dementia? Find Out With This Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Checklist
4) Dementia in Dogs: When to Euthanize Your Beloved Senior Dog
5) Senior Dog Anxiety at Night? 9 Solutions for Better Sleep
I have a Cairn Terrier. We have had her for 14 years in January, not sure of her age. She has CCD. My question really is when do you let go? She spends all day wandering the house, sleeping or sitting and staring at the floor. She doesn’t accept cuddles anymore and just gets up and walks away. She used to spend all day with me in bed but now she’ll come in, jump up on the bed, circle and leave. She doesn’t like to come to bed anymore either and spends the night in the dining room. She’s lost a lot of muscle, mostly in her face and it looks kind of caved in. She doesn’t seem happy at all but the vet has said she’s in amazing condition for her age, but, just because she’s physically healthy doesn’t make it any easier to deal with. I don’t want her last years to be lost and confused but I also don’t want to lose her when she’s “healthy”. It’s frustrating because I have 2 other dogs, and 1 of them adores her and he manages to get a reaction and a little play out of her but then she’s back to being her new self again. We can’t really do medication with her, we’ve always struggled and because of her muscle deterioration in her face it’s not really an option to force tablets, I would hate to hurt her. We had to do this in the past and it’s not nice for everyone involved. Any advice would be great.
Dear Georgia,
I understand why you are conflicted and think it is great you are searching for advice. I applaud you for considering your girl’s mental state when evaluating her quality of life and not just focusing on her physical health. I am convinced that mental disease causes just as much suffering, if not more, than physical disease. The cruel part of dementia is that it is hard to “see” this suffering and it is often left to progress for far too long. From what you describe, it sounds like your girl has entered the window of time where saying goodbye is an acceptable and loving option. I would rather let go one day too early than one day too late and allow unnecessary pain. Here is a link to another article that addresses this exact subject: Dementia in Dogs: When to Euthanize Your Beloved Senior Dog
I hope you can find the advice you need to make the decision that is best for you and your sweet girl. Praying for your comfort and strength. Bless you and your little pup. ♥
I’m very puzzled about what my 15 year old dog did today and wonder if dementia could be the cause. She has extensive spinal arthritis and hasn’t been able to run in years. She also limps due to a growth defect in her front leg that’s become very arthritic as well. I don’t leash her often because she walks right next to me in the neighborhood and stops constantly to smell things….Beagle mix. Today, we got to the sidewalk, strangely she started howling and then took off running at full speed. She hasn’t been able to run like that in years and even running after her at top speed, I wasn’t able to catch up. She ran our normal path and went right back home. She continued to sprint around inside the house after. Finally, she calmed down, panted a ton, then relaxed. A few hours later, she was in pain and had trouble walking because of all the running she did. I don’t know what to think about this, as it was so very unusual. She has become incontinent in the past few months and can no longer hear. She follows me around the house constantly, which is fairly new. She still eats well and loves a walk. I’m totally stumped at today’s behavior!
Hi Nicole,
Yikes! That is very strange. I agree with you that the behavior is puzzling but not sure it is something that is cause for concern. Your best bet is to contact your vet and discuss what you witnessed. They may want to do an exam or run some tests just to be sure nothing important has been missed. Hoping all is well today and your girl is back to her normal routine. Best wishes and good luck!
My small terrier mix will be 18 in two months. About 14 months ago Daisy started pacing at night, getting stuck in corners, and sleeping most of the day. I started her on Selegiline.. For 6 weeks with a 5 mg pill everyday there was no noticeable change. I still had pills left so I continued to give her one a day and after 8 weeks she suddenly seemed like her old self. We were able to sleep all night for first time in months, This continued for six months but now the dementia has progressed beyond what the medication could help. I’m thankful for the six wonderful months of having my Daisy back.
I am continuing the Selegeline but we are now taking it day by day and the dementia is getting worse. Soon I will have to make the heartbreaking decision. I wanted owners with dogs showing signs of dementia to know that it could possibly take 6-8 weeks for the Selegeline to help.
Hi Judy,
I am sorry Daisy is not doing well and her mental state is declining. What a blessing to have gained 6 extra quality months with her! Thank you for sharing your story. I am certain this will offer hope to others in a similar situation. Enjoy every moment and make the most of each day you are gifted. Best wishes and bless you both. ♥
My 13 yo Jack Russell mix is showing progressed doggie dementia. I love her so much and I don’t know if there’s a way to know if I should make the decision? She’s my best friend and I talk to her all the time! Any advice?
Hi Robin,
I understand what a difficult decision you are facing and wish I could make it easier for you. Here is a link to another article that will offer guidance and great advice from other readers as well: Dementia in Dogs: When to Euthanize Your Beloved Senior Dog
Praying for clarity and strength. Bless you and your sweet girl. ♥
My Rat Terrier, Maggie, is about to turn 14. We have been battling urinary incontinence for the last two years. Proin eliminated the issue but really changed her personality and made me notice the onset of the dementia. I am a licensed mental health therapist and licensed drug and alcohol counselor and became very curious about the active ingredient of Proin. Once I took I deep dive into that, I was sufficiently prepared for the withdrawal and temporary behavior problems of the trash panda that she became for the next few months. My vet then prescribed estrogen, but held off the incontinence for a short time before becoming ineffective. It also had a reverse effect on her behavior from the Proin where she became extra clingy and would often appear to actually be weeping. Happy to say we are managing the incontinence with just diapers overnight with this onesie like outfit (intended for post surgery) over it that helps the diaper stay on. Since she is a long dog, the size we have fits somewhat snug and this seems to actually help her have a little pressure overnight where she usually does not urinate. She doesn’t wear anything in the day and just gets many extra potty breaks since she is my coworker. This has made it so much easier to handle the dementia and loss of hearing, low vision, wandering, extra potty break reminding/attention that she requires. The ten $18 fashionable, soft and waterproof pet blankets from Costco that I have readily available to rotate in her spaces don’t hurt either. Thank you for your website and all your helpful information. I have never had a pet that has lived to such a healthy advanced age. I just want to do what is best for her and sometimes get a little overwhelmed and exhausted, but I remember how much I love “my son’s” dog. You vet people are pretty special to do what you do with the challenges you face and I hope you know that people like me that love our fur family appreciate it! Thank you for the extra time you spend responding to these comments with such care and compassion!
Hi DJ,
Maggie sounds like a very special little pup and she is lucky to have you taking such good care of her. I am glad the diapers are helping to make caregiving a little easier and what a great idea to utilize the onesie in this way! Thank you for all the kind words. I appreciate you taking the time to share your experience with us. Wishing you and your sweet girl many happy days ahead. Bless you both. ♥
holy cow, reading all these comments makes me feel….less alone? my 16yr old German shepherd/jack Russell mix was diagnosed just 1 day before i lost an incredibly important person to (human) dementia. at first it was just the lack of sleep/pacing at night/extreme panting. very few symptoms fit, and doctor did X-rays (for the panting) … while at the vet she went under a chair & couldn’t figure how to come out the other side…or back up…and vet said most likely dementia. within 6 months the dementia symptoms were like a checklist & she hit every one. she’s 1000% a different dog & I’m continually surprised (but I shouldn’t be I guess) at how closely doggie dementia mirrors that of human dementia. she’s deaf now, due to her age, and there are times when I’m so grateful because after a couple nights of no sleep (can’t let her hurt herself on accident or get stuck somewhere) and she snaps at me when I try to pet her & I yell at her. I immediately feel like the worst human on the planet because I know it’s not her fault 🙁 it’s been 1.5 years since her diagnosis & we use 1 gabapentin, ½ trazadone in the am, and 1 gabapentin, 1 trazadone, ½ galiprant (think that ones pain?) and 5mg melatonin at night & it took a lot of trial and error so she wasn’t weird or too doped up to find the right dosage for her. I have chronic pain issues so I know we all have bad days & she has them too, we are allowed to go up to 3 gabapentin and 2 whole traz if things get rough…or…if her once LOVED thing has to happen (a car ride! she HATES them now!) she used to be about 45lbs but has maintained 38 the last year or so (put in here for others who can adjust for their dog & ask vet about said meds). we just saw the vet yesterday & she said as long as the good days are more than the bad (so far they are) and it’s nothing more than I can handle….I told her this is my princess & there isn’t anything I wouldn’t do so nothing is “too much” when it comes to her…then told her when it’s time she needs to tell me, cuz she’s my princess & love is blind, ya know. she assured me now is not that time & when she goes back (7 weeks for nails & weight check) shell reassess if needed. … I don’t know where I was going with all this but no one will read this & I think I just needed to get it out. I feel guilty and sad & exhausted sometimes, then back to guilty when I realize it from her perspective! my loved one would get soooo angry & violent when they forgot a word for something & it would come out at us, but it was just their frustration because they have a sense of what’s happening I think, and I do think dogs are the same way. I dunno…I’m rambling now but I’m glad I found this site (pretty good info) and the comments on here definitely helped. thank you
Dear Krysi,
My heart goes out to you as you navigate this emotional path with your beloved pup. She is very lucky to have you advocating for her well-being and loving her every step of the way. Thank you for being willing to share your story with us. I am glad typing out your thoughts offered a release and hope you have been comforted by the comments of other readers as well. Praying for your strength and wishing you both peace. ♥
I had to put my sweet lab mix Harley down today and, even though she was 18 years old, it was a horrible decision to have to make. I adopted her when she was 14, so she’s been old since I’ve known her, and she had massive anxiety since the moment I met her. With medication and lifestyle adaptations, she was able to overcome it with to enjoy long walks and cuddles and travel. But in the past year, she started to show signs of advancing dementia. She’d go to the wrong side of the door, pace, pant, and become fearful at night. In the past couple months, she became suddenly terrified of the car and didn’t want to walk any more. The vet recommended I let her go. Part of me is glad we never got to the stage where she wouldn’t recognize me, but I also can’t help but wonder if I did the right thing for her.
Dear Bailey,
I am sorry for your loss of Harley. I understand the grief you are experiencing, and it is normal to ponder the “what ifs”. I have no doubt you made the most loving choice for your sweet girl and that she knew how much you cared about her. Try not to let the burden of guilt weigh you down. You did not make this decision in error but with the advice and guidance of your vet who had Harley’s best interest in mind. I hope with time you can look back on all the memories you shared, and they will be a source of joy in your life. Wishing you happier days ahead. Bless you. ♥
My terrier Paddy is 13 and 5 months old. He’s a lovely boy. For sometime now he has started barking early evening. He seems focused on the ceiling or corner of the wall. His bark pitch is high. It can last 10 minutes or 90. When he stops, it’s like nothing has happened. He has also started to want to sleep by me in bed. He usually sleeps in his bed on the floor next to the bed.
During the day, he often stares at me, and sometimes moans/whines. Recently he has had barking episodes during the day too.
The Vet gave him a full examination, and said he is going deaf, but otherwise healthy, and he could have doggie dementia. She recommended Zylkene a Calming Supplement for Dogs. We tried this and there was no change. She then prescribed Selegiline, which he has been taking for 3 weeks with no change. She has now taking him off these and prescribed diazepam to help him sleep at night (and us). He can only be on it for a short while, as it can harm the liver.
So we have no plan or guidance on what else we can try. I feel lost and don’t know how to help him 😞
Dear Caroline,
My heart aches for you as you face this difficult situation. I know you would do anything to help Paddy and it is clear he is dearly loved. Unfortunately, dementia is progressive and will reach a point where medicines and supplements just won’t help. You may be at that stage already. Please reach out to your vet and see if they are willing to do a quality-of-life evaluation for Paddy. Sometimes saying goodbye is the only way to offer freedom and relief. I truly believe mental disease causes as much suffering as physical disease. I would rather let go one day too early rather than one day too late and allow unnecessary struggling and pain. I will attach links to other articles with more information and great advice from our readers. Wishing you strength and comfort as you navigate this emotional path.
1. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
2. Dementia in Dogs: When to Euthanize Your Beloved Senior Dog
3. Sundowners in Dogs: A Veterinarian’s Guide
4. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
please ask your doctor about melatonin..it’s over the counter and a natural chemical bodies produce to sleep. my dog (38lbs) is on 5 mg. I was told to try lower dosage & just work up to 5 if needed…(she needed lol)
there’s also trazadone and gabapentin. think the trazadone is the anxiety one? gabapentin is nerve block so might be that one too. my dog is on both so hard to remember. they never mentioned only being able to take it for so long, so might be something to mention to your vet? even though melatonin is OTC I don’t recommend trying it without the vets concent, to make sure it won’t interfere with anything and to get proper dosage, but that has worked wonders & you don’t need a prescription for it if Dr thinks it’d be a good idea!
This article and reading all the comments has helped me so much during such a dark time. Its given me real solace realising that so many others have been in my shoes. Our loving boy Jay who was a Japanese Shiba Inu had been with us since he was 14 weeks old and we had to say goodbye this weekend at the age of 15. He was the most loving and loyal companinion I could have ever wished for., every day he would sit on the back of the sofa at exactly the same time waiting for my daughters to return from school. In the last two years it was clear to us his sight was going, his hearing and his character wasn’t 100% him. In the last month his pacing had become constant, getting stuck and walking into furniture, to the point he only slept once he had exhausted himself entirely. He had started soiling himself at night and sleeping in it, I would carry him to the garden but he would wander into things and not wee, only for me to carry him back inside and to wee in the house. He couldn’t see in the end or hear and his back legs would give way whilst he tried pacing.
I didn’t want to say goodbye, but I realised it was becuase of me, I knew his quality of life was non-existent, he was constantly confused, anxious and barely able to hold himself up. The Vet told me it was time, it broke my heart as he left this world in my arms but I know letting him continue was not the kind thing to do. I have had feelings of guilt and I miss him terribly but I know in my heart it was the only and right thing to do, he completed our family and gave us 15 years of love – saying goodbye was always going to be the hardest thing to do. Thank you for your article and thank you to all the comments which have helped me through this time.
Dear Luke,
My heart aches for you with the recent loss of Jay. It sounds like he was such an amazing pup. It is clear he was dearly loved by everyone in the family, and I am certain he knew. I am glad you were able to be with him during his final moments (I just read your other comment as well) and be a source of comfort as he passed peacefully. May his memory be a blessing in your life and stay with you always. ♥
Luke we are saying good my to our girl Evie tomorrow. She’s our nearly 17 year old Rat Terrier and so much of what you have written resonates. She lost her hearing, has the cloudy eyes and doesn’t seem to recognize us anymore at all. Just recently we began to find her having soiled her area and laying in it. She will make a circle outside then potty as soon as she gets in the house. We tried Denemairin and it worked for a time but it is no longer having an effect. For the past 3 days she has been semi awake barking in no direction. Tomorrow will be hard but I am glad I found this article.
Dear Shallyn,
I am so sorry for your loss of Evie. You did the only thing you could to give her freedom from suffering and offer her peace. I am certain she knew how much she was loved. Wishing you brighter days ahead and may her memory always bring you joy.
I’m reading your story Luke and crying because it’s the very same as mine 😢 Our beautiful 16 year old terrier Rex had to be put asleep last Saturday and I am devastated. I miss him so much and question my decision every day but I know it was the right thing to do for my poor boy. His dementia had gotten so bad that he would constantly keep circling even to the point that he walked side ways. It’s awful to see them like this and every day I hoped he would get better but he only got worse and I could see the sadness in his eyes. We had 16 wonderful years with our beautiful boy and we miss and love him so much. Thank you to everyone for all your stories reading them has helped me, xx
Dear Lorna,
I am so sorry for your loss of Rex. I know you would have done anything to give him more time. But what a blessing you were able to offer him a peaceful passing and spare him from unnecessary suffering. I hope with time your heart will begin to heal, and the grief will fade. May Rex’s memory stay with you always and bring you joy.
Nearly 30 years ago my 13 year old Lab/Pit Bull mix had dementia. He constantly paced with no apparent destination, a gate was left open and he got out and I’m sure wandered aimlessly until he apparently fell into a ditch where a kind lady rescued him and took him to our vets office. When we went to get get him he showed no recognition of us, no wagging tail and kisses, we were strangers to him. I knew it was time to let him go and it broke my heart, this brings tears even 30 years later.
Dear Terry,
I know the pain of watching a beloved pup suffer from dementia and I am sorry you have experienced it as well. We do the best we can to offer them a life of love and happiness. It sounds like your sweet boy was dearly loved and I am certain he knew. Wishing you peace and comfort.
My sweet Cam, 13 year old little terrier mix, started showing early signs of CCD (or as I call it Pawlzheimer’s) a couple of years ago. Her early symptoms were going to the wrong side of doors, getting lost in mirrors/ reflections, and no longer being safe at off-leash parks. For a long time her almost daily short walks would help alleviate most of her symptoms.
In the last year her symptoms increased dramatically. She used to love everybody, but pretty much just likes/ is aware of me now. She’s at her worst while sundowning when she isn’t soothed by me either. She would pace at night jumping up and down on the bed and going outside when she didn’t need to, but sometimes she’d fall down the stairs, so the vet prescribed Trazadone and then Gabapentin with it.
She’s too old to go on walks now, but I take her on stroller walks, and she is so happy and surprisingly quite alert while we wander the neighborhood or even light trails. She’s still thrilled to go camping too. (We go to the same place, and she is still familiar with our camper luckily.) The meds and her stroller strolls help immensely, and I’m grateful she learned how to use her bed stairs before she got too bad. She still uses her dog door during the day, but I help her at night and first thing in the morning, or else she’ll be lost in the yard or have an accident. She gently bites me when I get home, as her separation anxiety has gotten worse too. I only teach for an hour or two at a time, but she doesn’t seem to count my husband as a reassuring presence anymore. It’s crazy how similar sundowning is in humans and dogs, except I’ve never seen an old human with zoomies (another thing she will do when I get home), but I just block the stairs when that happens.
We had to put down our sweet Shepard Golden, Tarvos, last spring after a long battle with skin cancer when he couldn’t move well anymore, but he kept testing well on the quality of life scales for far longer than we thought he would prior to that. I was fortunate to be able to take care of his sores and give them both miles of extra walks and hours of cuddles, but man it’s hard, as my previous dogs just went downhill quickly.
I’m grateful for all of my time with Cam, and that she seems happy during the day and can now rest at night with her meds, but watching my two best friends have such rough times in the same year still breaks my heart. That got long, I guess I just needed to vent. I’ll try those chews mentioned too. Hugs to everybody watching their pups’ dispositions change. I highly recommend any strollering, walking or outdoor activity they can safely do with you.
Hi Meridith,
I am sorry for your loss of Tarvos but glad you were able to give him such a great quality of life after his diagnosis. My heart goes out to you as you navigate this emotional path with Cam. Thank you for sharing their stories with us. The suggestion of stroller walks and finding ways to keep allowing your girl to enjoy her favorite activities is wonderful. Cam is such a lucky pup! Best wishes to you both and give your sweet girl a hug for me. ♥
We rescued a 8/9 yr old bischon poodle mix 6 years ago that was abused. Wookiee never was a “cuddle” dog and had fear aggression and a startle reflex that resulted in a number of unexpected attacks (just moving on the sofa if he was beside you). We’ve worked through some issues, but now he is almost completely deaf, has very little sight, and after reading the article on cognitive decline, am certain he has doggie dementia. He gets trapped in the strangest places (the corner by the bathroom tub) – instead of going through the door, the corner of kitchen cabinets, trying to come in from outside by standing where the hinges are even when the door is open. He starts his house roaming in the evening. He forgets how to use steps (he’ll take a huge leap off the porch rather than going down 2 steps) and seems to forget how to go up steps and because he snaps if you try to pick him up – it has caused so much anxiety. Going out to do his “business” is nearly impossible – though I take him out everytime he gets up. I put pee pads down, but he goes all over the house multiple, multiple times a day. Just getting him in the car to take him to the vet or the one groomer that will groom/cut his hair is nerve wracking! He’s traveled with us in our motorhome since we got him, but now that he can’t go stairs, I’m trying to figure how we will manage. He is now in good physical health other than arthritis, and I feel like I’m letting him down to even think about euthanasia.
Dear Lori,
My heart goes out to you as you facet this emotional decision for Wookiee. I know you want to do what is best and would never choose euthanasia out of convenience. But that is not how I see your situation. From what you describe, it sounds like Wookiee is dealing with confusion, aggression, anxiety, incontinence, and struggles daily. I feel strongly that mental disease causes just as much suffering as physical disease (if not more). I would rather say goodbye one day too early rather than one day too late and allow unnecessary suffering. Do you think your sweet boy is truly living or just existing at this point? Saying goodbye may be the most loving option and it is ok to make that choice before all joy is gone and the only thing left is sadness and struggling. Please remember to take care of yourself and allow yourself some grace. Caregiver fatigue is very real, and your quality of life matters too! I will attach links to other articles with more information and great advice from other readers. I am hopeful you will find the answers you need to make the best decision for everyone involved. Wishing you comfort and peace. Bless you both.
1. Dementia in Dogs: When to Euthanize Your Beloved Senior Dog
2. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
3. Dog Euthanasia: Knowing When to Say Goodbye
4. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
Our papillon, almost 16 years old, symptoms started almost 1 year ago. She’d wander around looking lost, then walking in big circles. She had to have her right eye removed 8mo before this started, and since she always circles to the left I just figured it had to do with that. over the course of the the year it began to progress, more circles, hard time finding her food dish (we have to place her in front of when we feed her) and even while eating she will turn away from the dish and occasionally forget where the bowl is again. In the last week I’ve noticed her circles getting smaller, and making herself dizzy as a result (when I get her to stop she will do quick little turns with her head for a couple minutes) it’s been also taking her a little longer to settle down and sleep at night, so I’ve been having to give her gabbapentin slightly more often (I try to hold off on giving her that outside of getting groomed or a bath, because I feel she is more prone to having an accident in her bed while sleeping when I do) she has but hasn’t been herself at the same time throughout all of this. When we took her to the vet when this first started (as well as her annual check up months after) the vet didn’t really have suggestions or even officially diagnose as doggy dementia, said possibly an inner ear issue or brain tumor but basically chalked it up to with how old she is, not worth doing much of anything aside from monitoring the quality of life. I am torn, I love my sweet girl, I don’t feel she is ready yet, but also not sure that I am just being selfish. She sleeps, circles and eats. I know it doesn’t sound like a great quality of life, but she seems to be content – and still herself to some degree.
Wondering if there is anything worth trying to help improve the time she has left, would a supplement be with trying this late in the stage of it?
Dear B,
My heart aches for you as you face this difficult situation with your senior girl. I am so sorry she is struggling and just not herself anymore. I understand how hard it can be to decide when to say goodbye. I will attach links to other articles with more information and great advice from other readers. Also, I do think supplements are worth a try. I have seen them do wonderful things for many different diseases and problems. Hoping you can find the answers you need to make the best decision for your sweet girl. Best wishes and bless you both.
1. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
2. Dementia in Dogs: When to Euthanize Your Beloved Senior Dog
3. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
My 10 yr old terrier-chi, Oliver, just started showing signs of disorientation. When it’s time to go outside to potty, I’d open the door & he’ll be in the middle/end of the door waiting & I’m like Oliver this side. I thought it was eyesight issues until I found this article. A year ago, he started using the bathroom inside (even pooping & he’d NEVER done that) & I was pregnant then, we had just moved, & I was workout new hours, so i assumed it was due to those new changes. However, sometimes he still will do it, so unfortunately he stays confined in a playpen with potty pads for those accidents.
Hi Shari,
Yes, it does sound like Oliver is dealing with the early stages of dementia. I am sorry your pup is showing signs of confusion and having accidents in the house. I am glad the article was informative and offered insight to your situation. Wishing you and your sweet boy all the best as you navigate this difficult path ahead.
Hi everyone
Since April I finally became one of the senior dog with dementia owners – I’m now documenting Snoopy’s journey
He’s a bubbly loving chihuahua/ Lhasa – he will be 16 9/19
I’m happy to report since we finally figured out what was wrong after 5 vets yes 5
I kept begging them for selegine I finally got it but not before eye test – hearing – X-rays – I finally filmed him for 24 hours unmedicated and took the videos of the howling pacing whining confusion non responsive heartbreaking episode
I got all my stuff
Selegine – hills prescription brain dry – aging care wet – omega -Cbd-interactive treat toys with only brain foods – melatonin-
I need to keep him calm and not get him excited with things like food watermelon as a treat triggered him for 2 weeks – it took almost 3 to work out the manic – hyper- restless – spinning – aggression cycles he’s ok again
Everyday is different we never know but I do know everything. I have worked and is working for now I have to do a dance to see what extra or less of something I can give him each new day depending on him
I found little info and feel so compelled to share my little success im having now that I’m cherishing every second
Aktivate from UK Supplements and his brain foods only are keeping us going with that horrible disease just below surface for now keeping at bay
Feel free to contact me for any questions on what I’ve done and am doing
My original goal was snoopy and I were going to take him to 20 healthily
Now we just might make 17 or heck even 18 we will just have to see
Alison and Snoopy in Monterey
Hi Alison,
Thank you for sharing your experience with us. I am glad you have found the combination of treatments that seem to work best for Snoopy. He is a very lucky pup to have you taking such an active role in advocating for his health and well-being. Wishing you both all the best and keep up the good work!
My 14 year old chihuahua has inflammatory brain disease. He was diagnosed at 5 years old. He has been on Prednisone since then. Recently he has been unable to hold his urine or bowels. He has also been found pacing in the backyard looking completely lost. The most recent development is barking at night. This started a few days and has not stopped. I have reached out to his neurologist to see if we can make any medication changes. I really do feel this may be the end. I have had him for his entire life.
Dear Chelsea,
My heart goes out to you and your senior pup. I am sorry he has developed these strange behaviors and agree they sound like dementia/cognitive dysfunction. I am curious to know what the neurologist recommended. Were you able to talk with them? Praying for clarity in decision making and strength to navigate this unknown path ahead. Bless you and your sweet boy. ♥
My dog Peep T. Has dementia. The vet mentioned it first. She sits and stares with a faraway look on her face. She has had several accidents lately… the worst of which was urinating on our bed. She sleeps with me. This was during the day. I notice she is very clingy.
She has always been very intelligent and likes to please. This is heartbreaking. We will be leaving the panhandle of Florida in three months. For Atlanta area of Georgia. Do you have any advice?
Hi Mary Ellen,
I am sorry your girl is struggling with the effects of dementia. I understand your concern with this upcoming move. Big changes to her surroundings and routine can exacerbate the dementia symptoms. I would discuss this with your vet and see if there are any medications they would be willing to prescribe to make sure things are as well managed as possible. Also, diapers can be a lifesaver when it comes to the stress of cleaning up frequent accidents. Try to give yourself some grace and take things one day at a time. Praying your girl can adjust to her new home and acclimate quickly.
My almost 17 year old Tank is in the final stages of dementia. Much love to everyone who’s rescuing their babies from corners, and under tables, and chasing down to get them outside before they go potty in the house. I recommend making sure your pup is chipped AND wears a tag with phone number at all times. Our boy slipped out and ended up in a shelter 30 minutes away. Had he been chipped (he is now) or wearing his collar, I would have been contacted before he went through the intake at the shelter and ending up even more confused
Hi Casey,
Thank you for bringing up this very important topic! Pet identification can be extremely valuable especially as dementia starts to cause confusion in our senior dogs. A dog that would never even think about wandering away from home may end up doing so due to the side effects of this terrible disease. I am glad you were able to find your sweet boy and bring him back home. Wishing you both the best. Bless you!
Everyone with a dog with dementia symptoms…….
Please try a product on Amazon called Senior Dog Wisdom. it is a chewable that has changed my dogs life and mine! my senior can not handle the typical meds for cognitive issues. we tried, he flipped out. I was determined to find something for him since he was roaming at night, not eating well and just acting anxious. I found this product and even though my vet said it could take a month to work, there were big changes within a week or two. Chip is wandering much less and sleeps pretty well. he is eating almost as much as he always did. he still stares into space, but overall we have much hope that this product is extending his life. I have NO affiliation with the product other than being a very satisfied customer.
Hi Linda,
I am glad to know this supplement has helped Chip and given him a better quality of life. Thank you for sharing this great information with our readers!
Hi Linda do you have a photo of the product? I have tried finding this on Amazon but unable to find as it’s bringing up lots of other things
Hi Geri,
Please don’t take this as my seal of approval for this supplement. I have no personal experience with this product and cannot see the list of ingredients to determine its safety. But I did find it on Amazon. Here is a link: https://www.amazon.com/Herbsmith-Senior-Dog-Wisdom-Supplement/dp/B0764J8YD3?th=1
Thank you for providing this info. I immediately went to Amazon and ordered them! I swear I can tell the relief in my 15 1/2 yr old English Springer in just a few days. He’s on meds for arthritis pain, Xanax for anxiety in the evening and now doggie wisdom supplements. He’s mid stage CCD and I’m so grateful this adds to his comfort. He’s the love of my life.❤️
I think the senior dog We adopted 6 months ago has dementia. Licking lips alot even though no serious dental disease. At night will wake up several times and pace the bed or jump off the bed and walk in circles and then 1 min later whine to get back on the bed. Also she paws at you to pet her and then sometimes will growl at you when you pet her. The worst episode by far was when she jumped off the bed in the night and ran down stairs as fast as she could. I don’t even think I’ve ever seen her run that fast. Anyhow, I followed her and she was walking around in circles downstairs. I decided to let her outside thinking maybe fresh air would help break the spell. She immediately ran out into the yard and started chowing down grass as fast as she could like she was starving. She ate grass for 5 min straight. I thought she was going to throw up that night but she never did. Also she’s barking a lot more during the day at anyone who walks by the house and when she isn’t doing that she goes upstairs by herself to sleep. I also noticed during the day she sometimes doesn’t come down for her meals and I have to take it up stairs for her. Sometimes she turns her nose at the food and will only eat if I hand feed her.. So even though I have only had her for about 6 months, I can tell something is wrong. Pretty sure it’s dementia, or else she’s bi polar. Lol. Just kidding.. But she’s only 11 according to the paperwork that came with her. But who knows. Anyhow, next time I take her to vet, I will ask about the fact that I think she has dementia. Poor girl.
Hi Lisa,
I am sorry you are dealing with these worrisome behaviors in your newly adopted pup. While some of what you describe could be signs of dementia, other things you mentioned make me suspicious there could be something else contributing to her troubles. I think it would be a good idea to have your dog evaluated by your vet. Without examining her myself, I can’t make specific conclusions, but I would want to rule out causes of nausea and other GI issues. Also, it would require a thorough dental exam to rule out a tooth issue as a source of pain. The lack of heavy tartar or calculus doesn’t mean there cannot be a hidden problem somewhere in the mouth. I am hopeful you can get to the bottom of these troublesome behaviors with the help of your vet. Wishing you both the best of luck! Feel free to leave an update if you have a chance.
my dog is 10.5 years old. for the past year she has exhibited anxiety during storms. in the last several months it is as if someone turned of a switch. she no longer wishes to go out unattended and cringes when approached. she wanders like a lost soul and she no longer wags her tail or barks. I have to encourage her to eat and to go outside. she has been to the vet and had every imaginable test. I have finally had to face the fact that she has dementia. . it is breaking my heart, all she does is sleep eat and relieve herself. last night she wandered aimlessly all night. I have started giving her cognition and calming bites but see no improvement. I hate the thought if putting her down but there is no quality of life for her. does anyone else have this dilemma?
Dear Janine,
My heart goes out to you as you face this difficult situation with your senior girl. You most definitely are not alone and are among countless others facing the same thing. I will attach links to other articles with more information and hundreds of comments just like yours. Please read through the stories of our readers who wanted to share their experiences in hopes of bringing comfort to another. I pray you can find the advice you need to navigate this emotional path. Wishing you strength and comfort. Bless you and your sweet girl.
1. Dementia in Dogs: When to Euthanize Your Beloved Senior Dog
2. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
3. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
4. How Will You Know When It’s Time to Euthanize Your Dog? 5 Caring, Heartfelt Messages
yes I’m actually in tears. my baby brown hound is at least 14 he was on our porch one morning, just a puppy. He has been to vet, kidney, liver are getting bad. Dr. thinks that is what is going on He walks in circles, he fell off the porch, he doesn’t want me to touch him. He doesn’t know who I am. He sleeps a lot, comes out at dark walks to end driveway, and repeats this. He does make sure someone goes out with him, I think he’s afraid when he goes outside now. He’s loosing so much bone muscle. Drinks so much water at one time, were afraid he’s going to choke. It so very hard to watch our friends go threw this. Bless their hearts.
Dear Shelly,
I am so sorry your senior boy’s health is declining and you are facing this difficult situation. From what you describe, it does sound like he may be struggling with the end stages of dementia/cognitive dysfunction. I will attach links to other articles with more information on how to assess your dog’s quality of life and how to know when it is time to say goodbye. This path you are walking is emotional and tough. I pray for your strength and comfort and wish you both the best.
1. Dementia in Dogs: When to Euthanize Your Beloved Senior Dog
2. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
3. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
Also a major sign that it was time was where and when he was sleeping. He always slept alot but was always in the same room as me. 2 months ago when the other symptoms started, he started going into another room away from me to sleep during the day. He was sleeping about 20 hrs a day, in another room. I missed him even though he was still alive. Someone said to me that suffering isn’t just about pain…it can also be not being able to participate in one’s own life. He slept all day and then had to be medicated to sleep at night. That was no kind of life, for either of us.
I put my 15 year old shih tzu down 10 days ago due to dementia. I’m still here reading articles to reassure myself that I did the right thing at the right time. I know I did, but i miss him terribly and need reassurance. he started wandering around the house at night barking about 2 months ago. No potty accidents inside, but started going anywhere he wanted outside like in the middle of the sidewalk or street. he had terrible cataracts so I thought it was just because of that. he started scratching at the wrong door. I thought it was the lack of vision. He was ravenous – I can’t believe how much he was eating, so lack of interest jn food isn’t always the case. But he didn’t remember where his bowl was. The final straw was when he stopped tolerating the car, which had been one of his favorite places. I had a hospice vet come to the house and she explained cognitive brain disease and it all started to male sense. Three days later I made the decision. I couldn’t bear to see his symptoms get worse as they inevitably would have.
Dear Eliza,
My heart aches for you with the recent loss of your senior guy. I saw all three of the comments you submitted and agree your decision to let go was a selfless act of love for your pup. I am glad you were able to get some guidance from the hospice vet. I am sure it helped tremendously to get her expert advice. I hope with time your heart will heal. May the memories of the good days bring you joy. Bless you. ♥
It gives me so much reassurance to read this even though it’s so sad. My dog used to love the car! She adored car rides and it was one of the only places she was super confident. Suddenly, two months ago, she became terrified of it. She would shake and pant so hard she’d steam up the windows. I rolled down a window hoping it would help and she tried to jump out on the highway. It was so heartbreaking. I felt sure it was her dementia, but I hadn’t heard of this particular sign in any other dog, so thank you. This makes me feel at least a little better about my decision to let her go.
Koda is our Karelian Bear Dog which is a rare breed. He is a Finish Hunting Dog bred to hunt large game. For us, he is our rescue dog, best friend & hunter of mice & moles!! He is almost 14 years old. He has IBD also known as Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Separation Anxiety & most recently diagnosed with LarPar also known as, Laryngeal Paralysis which is a Neurological disease affecting nerves & the flaps in the Larynx to malfunction causing back legs not to work properly & breathing issues as well as coughing.
Koda is on a lot of medications and that is why we call him Our Million Dollar Dog!!
He has recently been doing strange things, one of which is crying for no apparent reason, gets lost when going outside in his backyard, doesn’t know his way back home after his routine walk. He stands by a gated hallway and cries as if he doesn’t know there’s any way to get around it but there is if he goes the other direction. He also wakes us 2-4 times in the night to go outside but doesn’t always need to pee. Sometimes he paces & wanders through the house at night. This article has been helpful in recognizing some of these strange Dementia-like behaviours. Sad as it is, we have been through a lot with our little Buddy, and we know he’s on his last legs. There is no cure for Larpar & he’s not a good candidate for surgery. So we are trying Doxepin which is an Antidepressant that seems to help the coughing & breathing issues. Hopefully it may help with his huge Anxiety also which has gotten worse, maybe because he’s having signs of Dementia too. We are trying Melatonin because we also suspect that he has Cushings Syndrome from being on Steroids for his IBD. We have read that It also helps Cushings. Our Vet suggested Trazadone for sleep if that doesn’t work, as we are desperate to get some sleep.
We can relate to the Sleeping Baby scenario. He is is on so many drugs now I am reluctant to add more. Any suggestions would be appreciated??
Thank you!
Hi Suzanne,
I am sorry Koda is dealing with so many issues at once. It sounds like you are doing everything you can to give him the best quality of life possible. I am not sure I have any other great recommendations as you are already doing what I usually prescribe for my own patients. My best advice is just to enjoy the time you are gifted and make the most of each day with your sweet boy. Your biggest job now is to watch for signs that he may be struggling and to give him a peaceful goodbye when the time comes. Koda sounds like such an amazing pup. He deserves to be a Million Dollar Dog! 😉 Wishing you both the best as you navigate this unknown path ahead. Give your sweet boy a hug for me. ♥
I’ve a mini pin, princess mitzy, I’ve had her for 12 years now, she is my N.E.A.D dog(she senses them &tells my parents), she has hit where her years r ending so we got another dog 4 wen its mitzys turn 2 go, theyve gotten used 2 each other, kinda a LOVE/HATE relationship, but recently mitz bites at trix face or blocks her way in2 our room, or WONT let trix out 2 potty but viciously attacks her instead! mitzy sleeps in my arms EVERY night, but lately she stays for bout 5 min or until I’m out &then leaves me, plus she PACES all over the house during the day &no matter if its day or night, she SCREAMS wen she goes out potty! at nothing! we’ve used calming pills &joint pain meds morn &night, &so far she just seems 2 get worse &worse! I think its time 2 let her go!
Dear Anonymous,
This is so tough, and I am sorry you are in this difficult situation. It does sounds like Mitzy is experiencing some cognitive changes and dealing with confusion and anxiety daily. Saying goodbye may be the most loving option. I can only imagine how hard it will be to let go of this once in a lifetime pup. She has done her job well and given her complete devotion for 12 years. What a good girl! And now you have the chance to return the favor and give her the peace and freedom she deserves. I will attach links to other articles with more information. I am certain you will find the advice you need to make the best choice for everyone involved. Praying for comfort for your heart. Bless you and your sweet girl.
1. Dementia in Dogs: When to Euthanize Your Beloved Senior Dog
2. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
3. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
4. Grieving the Loss of a Dog After Euthanasia (& Finding Peace)
My 6.5 year old border collie seems to be confused occasionally. She has always loved everyone and has never shown aggression previously, but has now shown aggression twice in the last month. Once with the vet and once at home with me holding her foot. She had something stuck to her paw pad and snapped at me when I held her foot up to get it. It was only a price sticker from something that had fallen in the floor – not anything painful. Her blood work was fine. She seems normal most days and I convince myself she’s fine, and then seems off others. Isn’t this too young to have dementia? She also seems to be confused or having a hard time hearing occasionally when she’s more than 20 feet away.
Hi Shanna,
I understand your concern with these new behavioral changes in your Border Collie. It does seem odd that your pup would be showing signs of dementia at 6.5 years old, but I guess anything is possible. Without examining your dog, myself, I can’t make specific conclusions regarding her current issues. I do think it may be a good idea to investigate a bit further. You could talk to your vet about additional testing, x-rays (to check for a tumor or other brain changes) or scheduling a consultation with a specialist. I hope you can find some answers and ensure your sweet girl is happy and healthy. Wishing you both the best of luck and feel free to leave an update if you have new information!
My baby Peanut will be 16 years old in a couple of months and she has had dementia now for 1.5-2 years and the last few months she has gotten a lot worse. To add to it she is almost deaf and blind so communicating with her is very difficult. We pen her up at night for her own safety and so she stops pacing and can actually get some sleep. She used to be glued to me and I could never go anywhere with out her and over the past year or so she wants nothing to do with me. I don’t even think she knows who I am most of the time. We had to take her stairs away from the bed because she seemed to forget how to climb stairs and she was falling off of them all the time. It broke my heart to do that because she always loved to sleep with me, but I had to take them away for her own safety. She still eats great but all she does is pace and spin in circles for hours at a time. I know she has lost weight because all she does is move and she burns so many calories. I watch her on a camera all day while I am at work too, she spends hours and hours just pacing. Last night I heard her whimper a couple of times while we were watching tv and noticed she was kind of stuck in a spin and I don’t think she knew how to stop. She almost walked into a wall because I am thinking she was dizzy. I had to pick her up and she kinda freaked out on me, I put her in her pen and she fell asleep within a few minutes. I stress all day, when my parents watch her when we are away and when the dog sitter takes care of her for us. When we are away from her I am always watching her on a camera and worry all the time I am away. I lover her more than words. I have no kids so she is my baby. I hate watching her aimlessly pace non stop. I try to pick her up to comfort her and sometimes she will let me hold her for a minute but then she wants nothing to do with me she fights to get out of my arms. My heart is breaking from all of this and I am not sure when or if it is the right time to let her go. I don’t want to make the wrong decision ya know. I don’t want to think that I am killing her because she is still eating and moving around fine. I don’t want to feel guilty for letting her go because she is a handful and I stress over her 24/7……. I am so lost on when the right time is. I can’t imaging my life without her, we have been through so much together. She is my baby and I don’t know what to do.
Dear Kari,
My heart goes out to you as you face this difficult situation with your senior girl. I know you don’t want to let go too soon or make a decision out of convenience. It is hard to evaluate a dog’s quality of life when all of their struggles seem to be mental instead of physical. But I firmly believe mental disease can cause just as much harm (if not more) than physical disease. You have to take an honest look at your girl and decide if she is truly living or just merely existing. I believe it is better to say goodbye one day too early rather than one day too late and allow unnecessary suffering. Saying goodbye may be the most loving option and your quality of life matters too. I will attach links to other articles with more information and great advice from other readers. I hope you find the answers you need to make the best choice for you and Peanut. Praying for your peace and comfort.
1. Dementia in Dogs: When to Euthanize Your Beloved Senior Dog
2. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
3. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
It’s good to see someone asks the same questions I have. I am goi g through the exact same situation with my 17 year old mini poodle. I have cried so much the last week trying to examine his quality of life versus me not knowing when to let go or know how ro decide whether he is having a good day or a bad day. My heart truly goes out to you my fellow dog mommy ❤️.
Hi TikkiD,
Thanks for your sweet words of encouragement and love to Kari! My heart goes out to you as you try to make the same difficult decisions for your poodle. I hope you were able to find clarity and peace in whatever the outcome ended up being.❤️
Wow 😢 Same dilemma here. It’s good to know that I am not alone. My Beloved Ringo is 18 years old.
My 15 year old minpin Lady is starting to show signs of ccd. I work from home and she is always with me. She has always been active and full of life. Recently she started acting like she is terrible of my husband. she is fine with him when he comes home in the afternoon. Then when night time falls she is like a different dog. If I leave during the day she will be fine with him but if I leave at night she was hide and wait for me too come home. she has her good days and bad days. That is all I can do.
Hi Kristina,
I am sorry Lady is struggling with the effects of CCD. Make sure you discuss these issues with your vet. There may be a supplement or medication that could greatly improve your senior girl’s quality of life. My heart goes out to you as you navigate this difficult path.
Brandi is 14yr old Chiweenie. The other day she was in the yard and she couldn’t fine the steps. And I find her in the hall staring at the wall or door facing. last night I went out on the front porch h and when I came back in she started barking at me and wouldn’t stop. I kept saying her name and it’s momma, finally she stopped. She started walking around at night. And she and my other dog get into it for no reason.
Hi Debra,
I am sorry Brandi is experiencing these worrisome symptoms of dementia. It sounds like she is really struggling and may need to be evaluated by your vet. There are medications you can try to see if it helps improve her quality of life. I will attach links to other articles with more information. Praying you can find the best way to give her some relief. Best wishes.
1. Canine Cognitive Dysfunction in Dogs: Signs, Symptoms, Solutions
2. Selegiline for Dogs: A Helpful Medication for Canine Cognitive Dysfunction
3. Dementia in Dogs: When to Euthanize Your Beloved Senior Dog
4. Sundowners in Dogs: A Veterinarian’s Guide
My 13 yr old Lurcher who we had only 3 Years(9rescue ) has started to wander off away from us when on her usual walks, and once ran ti the main busy road for no reason with me running after her – that was scary! She seemed as if she didn’t know were she was —- this is happening a few times but we keep well away from the main road but now we don’t let her off the lead at all also – she barks at us in the evening to go out a lot to pee — drinks a lot of water — she has seen her vet recently has water samples taken for diabetes and infection which has now cleared up She has become very demanding and wants to eat all the
Time — is this dementia??
Hi Linda,
I am sorry Lurcher is experiencing these worrisome symptoms. This could definitely be cognitive dysfunction/dementia related, but without examining your dog myself, there is no way for me to be certain. Dementia is a diagnosis that can only be made once everything else has been ruled out. Here is a link to another article with more information: Canine Cognitive Dysfunction in Dogs: Signs, Symptoms, Solutions
Please make sure your vet is aware of these ongoing issues. There are several medications and supplements that could be helpful. I am hopeful that you will be able to partner with your vet and find the best way to maintain Lurcher’s quality of life. Wishing you both the best of luck!
I think my dog this, he wanders constantly is blind and hearing is going. He just pees on the floor, walks into everything and is more on edge when you try to pick him up maybe a bit aggressive for his normal temperament . I don’t know what to do, is he suffering even with all the love he gets? please anyone with advice would be appreciated.
Hi Jody,
I am sorry your dog is struggling, and his quality of life has declined. I will attach links to other articles with more information and advice on how to decide if it is time to say goodbye. Don’t forget you can always reach out to your vet for guidance. They can do a quality-of-life evaluation and let you know if letting go is the most loving option. Hoping you find the answers you need to make the best choice for everyone involved. Bless you and your senior pup.
1. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
2. Dementia in Dogs: When to Euthanize Your Beloved Senior Dog
3. How Will You Know When It’s Time to Euthanize Your Dog? 5 Caring, Heartfelt Messages
My senior dog is showing signs of ccd
He is going circles and hitting wall and furniture and not able to sleep
And haven’t ate in 3 days and only drinks water .
He potty in the house . He was very well potty trained.
Doesn’t respond to his name anymore and stairs at the walls and he doesn’t recognize me anymore
Dear Lisa,
I am so sorry your senior guy is suffering from CCD. The symptoms you describe are all too common in dogs with dementia. At some point, saying goodbye may be the only way to give your sweet boy relief from his struggles. Here is a link to another article with more information: Dementia in Dogs: When to Euthanize Your Beloved Senior Dog
Wishing you strength and comfort as you face difficult decisions ahead. Bless you both.
I just wanted to send some love and prayers to you all through such a horribly difficult time. Although my Luke has been showing signs of changing behaviors over the last year I thought he was becoming a grumpy old guy. He had started whining excessively and barking at me. Things he had never done before. Fortunately I had worked with Alzheimer’s patients in the past and was able to recognize that he was sundowning. When I realized that Luke had doggy dementia I was devastated and of course still am. He is now in a constant state of agitation, not sleeping and wanting to be outside 24/7. He is also started obsessively licking his forearm and if I’m not there to watch him he will just continue to frantically lick until it bleeds. I think this may be an OCD type Behavior. He was also never a big drinker and
now is constantly in that toilet bowl. LOL He’s not showing any signs of any other illnesses like diabetes as he is strong as an ox and hasn’t had a appetite like he has now since he was a puppy. What’s unfortunate is Luke was always a very well-behaved puppy and he is now as I can best describe acting like a spoiled, demanding 3-year-old with no ability to self sooth. I know that sounds harsh and I love him dearly but I want to share exactly what I’m experiencing so that if others are going through this they’ll know they’re not alone. We haven’t reached toileting problems or confusion. Saddly the one medication that I find very effective is acepromazine and the doctor says that she wants to keep that for extremely high anxiety episodes but every day is a high anxiety episode. On this medication Luke is his old self actually even calmer than he ever was as he’s always been a bit hyper-reactive. This medication gives us hours to snuggle and spend quality time and enjoy however much time we may have left together. The doctor is trying to help but she’s prescribing the supplements that you can buy over the counter that have absolutely no effect he might as well be given a doggie treat. I feel everyday is precious and every minute that he is snuggled and relaxed by my side is an absolute treasure. My biggest fear is the day that he no longer knows who I am I can’t imagine a world without Luke . I’m sorry I just really need to get this off my chest. anyway for anyone who made it through this thank you. Please know you are not alone I understand exactly how you are feeling. Feel free to contact via this comment. I’ve searched everywhere for a support group on the internet but haven’t been able to find anything. Great big hugs to you and your fur babies. wishing you as much peace and comfort as you are able to find at this time.
Dear Lori,
I am so sorry you are facing this difficult situation with Luke. He is very lucky to have you by his side advocating for his well-being. Please know you are not alone, and you both are in my thoughts. I pray you can continue to find the best ways to keep Luke comfortable for the time he has left. Wishing you strength and peace for your heart. Bless you both.
Hi… Our big dog, a mix breed of some sort, is starting to show signs of doggie dimentia… He walks in one way and moans if he can’t find a way out… It’s breaking my heart and I’m in tears as I’m telling you guys this… He looks at the other two dogs and I can tell he doesn’t quite know who they are…. He has been messing (Nr 2) on the deck and not on the grass. Looking back, that might of been the beginning… I don’t know if I can handle an animal going through this… It’s so heartbreaking for me.
Judy
Dear Judy,
My heart goes out to you as you face this difficult situation with your big guy. I will attach links to other articles with more information and great advice from other readers. Hoping you can find the best way to maintain your sweet boy’s quality of life. Wishing you both the best as you navigate this hard road ahead.
1. Canine Cognitive Dysfunction in Dogs: Signs, Symptoms, Solutions
2. Selegiline for Dogs: A Helpful Medication for Canine Cognitive Dysfunction
3. Dementia in Dogs: When to Euthanize Your Beloved Senior Dog
Hello; I have a 14 year old chihuahua Jack. he’s my wife and I’s everything. We have lost. A few dogs over the past couple years and he’s the last of the bunch. We have noticed that he sleeps an aweful lot during the day and some nights he is super restless. Panting and trying to find a place to hide or climb on everything as if he is trying to prove he is a puppy again. It doesn’t happen every night but I would say every two nights. It’s as if something just clicks on and he is restless. He is usually just fine. He does have some other health issues but nothing that would cause this behavior. I fear our fur baby has CCD. We are gonna take him to the vet and see what we can do.
From reading everyone’s stories I believe it’s CCD. I was of course thinking oh he’s just getting old until my mom reminded me of my grandfather who had dementia. She was telling me how at night he would always become restless. And now I’m seeing more of that in my baby boy. He’s eating and drinking water. I hope we can find a solution to make him more comfy at night
Hi Shawn,
I am sorry Jack is struggling with these behavioral changes. You are right, this does sound like cognitive dysfunction/dementia. Specifically, Jack seems like he is dealing with a condition called Sundowners. I think your plan to have your vet evaluate him is a very good idea. There may be medications or supplements that could make a big difference in his quality of life. I will attach links to other articles with more information and great advice from other readers. Hoping you can find the right combination of treatments to give Jack the best quality of life. Wishing you both all the luck. Keep up the good work!
1. Sundowners in Dogs: A Veterinarian’s Guide
2. Senior Dog Anxiety at Night? 9 Solutions for Better Sleep
3. Canine Cognitive Dysfunction in Dogs: Signs, Symptoms, Solutions
I started my 20y/o Italian Greyhound on Melatonin and Selegiline,and it has worked wonders! before i would walk in the house and it would take her a good 30 min to finally realize it was me, I dont want to do any miracles for her, she is 20 i just want to make her as comfortable as possible I just turned 40 she has been my little sidekick for half my life, if your dog needs it please talk to your Veterinarian
Hi Jace,
This is great advice. I couldn’t have said it better myself. I am so glad your sweet girl has had such a dramatic improvement to her quality of life since starting the melatonin and Selegiline. I am sure your knowledge of internal medicine has been quite helpful as you navigate these senior years with your beloved pup. Thank you for sharing your experience! I appreciate you and all the hard work you put in each day as an RVT. There is no way I could do my job without people like you by my side. Bless you.
My 14 yro Maltese, “Bentley”, has mid-stage CCD. Every day is different, and it’s day to day, always monitoring his QOL.
I made a list of all the things he loved, there are 20 things listed. When I notice he no longer does a behavior or activity, I put an X by it.
I told myself, when there are only two things left, get ready. When there is one thing left, it’s time. I won’t let him exist if he isn’t living.
Example:
Bentley loves to:
Bark at crows X
Bark at UPS trucks X
Treats X
Walks
Baths
Car rides X
and so on.
He does all the standard CCD stuff, he goes to wrong side of the door, paces at night, wants a meal at 3:00am, wants a walk afterwards (I do both because I’m crazy lol).
He whines if I am not nearby, he can’t remember how to use his dog dish, he gets stuck in corners and behind furniture, he gets zoomies for a few minutes, then passes out in a hallway.
He doesn’t remember how to use stairs, or any commands, or his name, but he knows my voice. He still demands two walks a day and starts banging into the closet doors, rattling them loudly, until I get his leash.
No meds or supplements have helped. So I just monitor and prepare myself,
I believe too early is better than too late. I won’t let him suffer. For now, he has more good days than bad.
It can be exhausting, but I will face the end with him, both of us knowing that I did everything I could, to make the last of his time, a good time.
One thing I can say, his housebreaking has never been better!
He was notorious for sneaking in accidents, now he insists on going outside, and won’t let me rest, until we go outside, on a walk, not in the yard, even if it is 3:00am, to do his business.
For that I am grateful. I think it’s his final way of saying “Thanks for a pretty awesome life!”
Bottom line, I won’t put him through anything that I wouldn’t want to go through, myself. ♥️ To me, that’s love.
Dear Lynn,
Thank you for sharing your experience. I think your list is a great idea. Bentley is a very lucky boy to have you taking such good care of him. What a blessing you have had 14 years together to make wonderful memories. I hope he can continue to maintain his quality of life for as long as possible. Wishing you both nothing but the best. Keep up the good work!
This is heart-wrenching. My 14.5 yo adopted border collie (adopted at 14 yo!) is exhibiting what I realize are signs of dementia, not just age. She is already essentially deaf, so I can’t reassure her verbally. She has IVDD and arthritis and urinary incontinence, so she takes Proin and carprofen. Gabapentin, which I tried for her IVDD, did nothing but make her more moody and wobbly. But additionally, she gets stuck and can’t get up from odd places, like when she’s up against the couch. Frankly, she barks for help to get up about 75% of the time now. I sleep downstairs since she can’t climb stairs so that I can be closer to help her in the middle of the night. She barks for no reason mid-day and she has become more aggressive to my other dog, even biting her a few times. As a herding dog, she wants others to do her bidding, but she didn’t used to do that to my other dog. She sleeps a lot more than before. I think I will let her go sooner rather than later since the writing is on the wall that it won’t improve, and I would rather she had joy for the 8 months with me than decline in confusion. When I got her, she was overweight and her mobility was horrible, plus she had open sores on her elbows and even on one of her feet. I got all that healed, helped her lose weight, and with that, her mobility improved, but now these other symptoms are ones I can’t resolve. The vet will tell me, “let’s try this or that,” but that starts to be nothing more than a financial drain with no real gain for her.
Dear Stacy,
I am sorry you are facing this difficult decision for your senior pup. It does sound like her dementia is causing suffering and saying goodbye may be the most loving option. What a blessing she was able to find you and have joy in her last days. Thank you for allowing a sweet senior girl to truly know love and pass with dignity. Wishing you strength and comfort for the days ahead. Bless you both.
I have a 15 year Male Maltese be 16 in May 2023. He sure has changed he always wanted to snuggle and hold him when I sit down. Always wanted to sleep with me. Last 7 months he doesn’t sleep with me, he doesn’t want me to hold him, love on him, been hard to give him a bath. Doesn’t play fetch any more, walks the floors, walks around furniture and trips over it or gets caught, I find him in the corner of a room just standing there like he is lost. He has taken over a love seat in the living room, sleeps there Day and night, he howls sometimes at night, I try to sit next to him to love on him, he gets down, he was my protector and shadow. I miss him so much. Eats good and drinks water, I give him joint and hip soft chewable and a multi soft vitamin, I crumble them up in my hand he eats them out of my hand every night.
Hi Judy,
I am sorry your senior guy is struggling with the symptoms of dementia. I understand how difficult it can be to watch a beloved dog slowly decline mentally while they still seem to be physically normal. I will attach links to other articles with more information. Should you start to question if your sweet boy’s quality of life has diminished, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your veterinarian. Best wishes and bless you both.
1. Canine Cognitive Dysfunction in Dogs: Signs, Symptoms, Solutions
2. Sundowners in Dogs: A Veterinarian’s Guide
3. Senior Dog Anxiety at Night? 9 Solutions for Better Sleep
4. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
5. Dementia in Dogs: When to Euthanize Your Beloved Senior Dog
I have a 16 year old Maltipoo who I love dearly. She has been showing decline for a while now. She is deaf and blind which I know is a part of her issues but there’s more to it than that. She has been having accidents in the house for at least the last 6 months. She will maybe go potty outside once a day if we’re lucky. The rest of the time she goes in the house even where she sleeps. She paces constantly and stares at the walls. She can’t jump up anymore and has obvious trouble walking and standing but can do it with some assistance. Most recently her behavior has changed and she has started growling and snapping when anyone tries to pick her up to take her outside or pick her up in general. It’s hard to even pet her anymore. She has never ever growled at me in 16 years until the other day. I have been mulling over putting her down. I know it is ultimately my decision as our vet reminded me but it is so hard. She hasn’t been wimpering or whining in pain and eats/drinks well; but it also breaks my heart to see her like this.
Dear Kari,
I am sorry your senior girl is struggling with the symptoms of dementia. I understand it can be hard to assess the severity of her condition when physically things seem to be ok. I do think mental disease can cause just as much suffering as physical disease, if not worse. From what you describe, letting go may be the only way to give your pup peace and rest from her troubles. I would rather say goodbye one day too early than one day too late and allow unnecessary suffering. I will attach links to other articles with more information. I am hopeful you will find the answers and advice you need to make the best choice for your sweet girl. Praying for your strength to face these difficult decisions. Bless you both.
1. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
2. Dementia in Dogs: When to Euthanize Your Beloved Senior Dog
3. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
Hello all! I have a 15.8 year old yellow Labrador Retriever. She and her sister (a 13.7 year old chocolate Labrador Retriever) are the loves of my life. In January of 2022, we started to notice behavioral changes… withdrawing from activities she loves like snuggling on the couch, playing ball, and not coming when called. She is a very vocal dog (as most labs are) and always responded to our voices, especially specific words like “walk” “car ride”, etc. We then determined that she either lost her hearing or had selective hearing. She also stopped eating dry dog food, so I began making her fresh chicken and beef each day. That she eats no problem!
Also around this time, her back legs started giving out even though she’s swam, ran and walked daily her whole life. It was confirmed as arthritis and not hip dysplasia or a spinal/nerve issue. We begun giving her shots of Adequan every few weeks in the booty which helped tremendously so she now runs around like a 3 year old pup. The only thing I have to be careful of is not to let her hurt herself running around like that!
In June of 2022, we started noticing her pacing after the sun went down each night. She’d stare off into corners, trap herself under tables/chairs, and walk in and out of our shower at night while we were sleeping. There was also a lot of panting. She’d also go outside and forget to do her business, then come inside and have accidents. We took her to the vet and determined she has CCD (dementia). They wanted to put her on meds, but I decided against that because that’s what they did to my grandmother when she was diagnosed with dementia and she became a vegetable – sleeping all the time. I did not want that to happen to my pup in the last few years of her life.
She had one “neurological event” in January of 2023 where she was refusing to eat anything, lethargic, trembling & withdrawn. I took her to the emergency vet where all her test results came back normal. They gave her a shot of gabapentin and anti-nausea and sent us home saying it may be some kind of event and we hoped she’d come around in the morning. She did! I read online that fish oil is good for CCD dogs, so I have fresh skin on fish 3x a week for dinner and then she gets the skin as a snack at night. On the days after she eats the fish skin, she’s at her best. I know you can purchase fish oil supplements, but I wanted her to have the raw stuff instead of risk something chemically treated – plus I just throw the skin away anyway. I continue the cooked beef & chicken diet with either sweet potatoes/carrots/pumpkin daily. I also take her for walks every day or every other day depending on how she’s feeling. In addition, I purchased a supplement on Chewy: “Zesty Paws Advanced Cognition Bites” & she’s been getting them for 6 months twice a day with food.
It’s now February of 2023 and she’s doing amazing. She’s eating so well, she’s alert, happy & as much of her old self as she can be given her age. She continues to pace at night and have accidents in the house, but far less than before and that’s a small price to pay. I know she won’t be around forever, but I want her remaining time with me to be the best it possibly can & I hope this post is helpful to someone 🙂
Hi Britney,
This is such wonderful information and advice! Thank you for being willing to share your experience with our readers. I am so glad your girl is thriving and living her best life. Your pup is very lucky to have you advocating for her health and wellbeing. Wishing you both the best for many happy days ahead. Keep up the good work!
Britney, your post is very helpful to me. My mini schnauzer Suzy is turning 13 soon and showing signs of cognitive decline. like your fur babies, she is also the love of my life, my soul mate. I wish you many more happy years with your girls.
My 14 yr. old pug has started to go under my bed and bark hysterically, comes from under bed exhausted. grts startled easily, confused but has a good appetite. follow me around the house, has jow acquired separati9n. I believe he has dementia
Hi Bonita,
I agree, it does sounds like your Pug may have some symptoms of dementia. This would be a good thing to discuss with your vet. There may be a supplement or medication that could greatly improve your dog’s quality of life.
We have a 15 year old Jack Russell mix, Bacon, who is the love of our lives. We adopted him at approx. 8 mos old. This past year has been a slow and steady decline, and thanks to sites like this one we’ve determined that he also has CCD. He’s been walking into walls, getting confused, stuck under chairs, doesn’t know the correct side of the door, paces constantly, is up all night and sleeps most of the day, has accidents in the house, he can’t be picked up and doesn’t come when called. He could be blind and deaf, but most symptoms point to CCD. The hardest part is that he doesn’t appear in distress but has stopped doing all the things he loves (jumping on the couch, cuddling, sleeping in our bed, going for walks). He cannot find comfort on a blanket or in a dog bed and ultimately falls asleep where he lands.
We have made the decision to say goodbye and have come to terms with it. We know it will be one of the hardest things we will do as a family, but ultimately it is the best decision for Bacon.
These posts are so supportive and helpful – thank you to everyone who has posted!
Dear Karla,
My heart goes out to you as you face this emotional decision for Bacon. I know his presence in your lives will be dearly missed but glad he will gain peace from his struggles. Thank you for sharing your story with us. I am sure this will be the comfort someone else needs to navigate an uncertain road. I pray Bacon’s passing will be smooth and may his memory be a blessing. Bless you all.
Hi, I have a Jack cross, little girl called Bramble, she is showing very similar signs as your Bacon but just not so advanced. She is sleeping closely to me in bed, which is wonderful, eats well; but stands at the wrong side of the door, has peed and done poos inside, and on my bed once. She is completely silent, not a single peep, deaf and blind. She seems happy enough, still loves her walks and food. I’m sending you lots of love.. I am dreading the day, it’s been me, my daughter and Bramble for nearly 16 years.. God bless our most special friends.
I have a 11 year old beagle boxer Sammi noticed more dribbling and she would go to sleep and then urninates so she was p[aced on Estradiol 1 mg now taking 1 tablet every 5 days . So on Saturday I took her to the vet because her anxiety has been through the roof for the last 3 days and very clingy then normal I tried over the counter calm tablets they did not help so the vet put Sammi on Fluoxetine 40 mg 1 tablet daily did blood work her organs are fine and talked alittle about demita said to check back in 2 weeks. Today she did drink some water but would not eat any treats or food or going out side can be a challange but once she is outside she is fine but still having anxiety issues . Wondering if I should have the vet prescribe Anipryl also.
Hi Amy,
I understand your concern for Sammi and her anxiety struggles. Sometimes it can take some trial and error to find the best combination of medications for dogs with dementia. I do think it would be a good idea to talk to your vet about what options are still available to try. I am not sure if Anipryl can be combined with all the other treatments Sammi is currently receiving, but your vet will know what is best for her specific situation. I hope you can find the magic combination for sweet Sammi. Best wishes to you both!
My situation is similar to Robin and Kathleen’s above. I have a 13 year old Shiloh Shepherd with dementia, arthritis, and hip dysplasia. He’s on Metacam, Gabapentin, and I’ve even tried CBD oil for him but that last one doesn’t seem to have helped. Despite the medication, the anxiety is causing a lot of stress and sleeplessness. I work from home and he’ll whine, pace, pant, and nudge me for 4-hours at a time most days. It makes work challenging and the same will frequently happen at night. Just this evening he went into a panic attack on our walk and I have no idea why. I think the time has come and I just needed some reassurance that doing it for mental health was alright.
Dear Carolyn,
I understand your concerns with your senior boy and his struggles with dementia. Yes, it is ok to consider euthanasia for mental health decline in your Shepherd. I definitely feel like the suffering that comes from cognitive dysfunction can be just as bad, if not worse, than what is experienced with physical problems. Choosing to give your boy peace and rest is the most loving and unselfish decision you can make. But don’t forget that your quality of life matters too. Here is a link to another article with more information and great comments from other readers: Dementia in Dogs: When to Euthanize Your Beloved Senior Dog
I hope you can find the answers you need to gain peace and clarity with your difficult decision. Give your sweet boy a hug for me and bless you both. ♥
My baby boy Blitz age 13 is experiencing so many of the conditions you describe. He has loss of appetite barks at nothing and seems confused . The worst is the barking , pacing, panting at night. It went on for 3 hours and the medication are
not working I agonize over the thought of putting him down but I know I cannot maintain this lack of sleep. He still loves to be outside and sleep in his “ sun spot”. I am crying as I write this
Dear Mary,
My heart goes out to you and this difficult situation you are in with Blitz. I hear the concern in your words and can only imagine how drained you must be after dealing with this nighttime anxiety. Please know that “letting go” is ok and not a bad choice for your sweet boy. It is hard to really evaluate quality of life when most of the issues are mental instead of physical. But I do think that the mental struggles can cause as much suffering as physical issues, if not more. Also, your quality of life matters too. ♥ Here is a link to another article that may offer additional advice and great comments from other readers: Dementia in Dogs: When to Euthanize Your Beloved Senior Dog
I hope you can find the information you need to make the best decision for you and Blitz. Praying for strength and clarity for you and peace and rest for your senior guy.
My 11 yr old Sheltie has many of the same actions as everyone describes. What has worked wonders for her is melatonin in the morning to help her nap during the day instead of pacing…then mela tonin again one hour before bedtime. She also takes, prescribed by vet, alazopran at night. She takes one Sam-E 1 hr before dinner. This has all made a tremendous difference. The vet guided us every step alongbthis very difficult journey. I went without sleep for weeks and finally addressed the situation with the vet. When i told her of the confusion, forgetfulness, attitude changes, she knew just what to do. Blessings to everyone going thru this. It is rough.
Hi Michele,
Thank you for sharing your experience with our readers. These are great suggestions of things for others to discuss with their vet. I am glad you have found what works for your Sheltie and that it has improved her quality of life. Best wishes to you both for many happy days ahead!
We are struggling with our 15 y o labradoodle, Lucy. Her at least year + of obvious dementia includes reversed sleep cycle, whining at night, rapid pacing, loud barking for no reason. She is also almost completely blind, so she walks into things anyway, but now there is no caution and she runs into things at full speed. She started urinating in the house several times a day as if she is outside. She eats ok and drinks ok and can still get up (even with her 2 knee replacements). She still enjoys short walks and enjoy all the smells. We are losing our minds with little sleep for the past year. We love her like crazy. We have tried melatonin, CDB, trazodone and gabapentin. While she is miserable at night, but she is relatively ok during the day. When is the “right” time to say gooddbye?
Dear Robin,
It sounds like you have done everything you can to try and keep Lucy comfortable and safe. At some point, despite our best efforts, saying goodbye is the most loving and unselfish decision we can make. You have to take into consideration your quality of life and if the stress of being a caregiver is breaking the bond with your sweet girl. I will attach links to other articles that may offer additional information and advice. Many of the articles also have great comments left by other readers. I hope you can find the answers you need to make the best decision for you and Lucy. Praying you find clarity and comfort for the days ahead.
1. Dementia in Dogs: When to Euthanize Your Beloved Senior Dog
2. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
3. In-Home Dog Euthanasia: Heartfelt Answers to 12 FAQs
4. Dog Euthanasia: Knowing When to Say Goodbye
5. How Will You Know When It’s Time to Euthanize Your Dog? 5 Caring, Heartfelt Messages
Hi, I am in the same place now, as Robin, (the above email). My sweet black lab is almost 14. She has dementia and I believe GOLPP. She has had back legs shaking for awhile and now they are giving out at times. Also heavy breathing and panting. Her dementia has gotten really bad, as far as the night -time pacing and panting. She was up for hours last night pacing back and forth and panting heavily. I gave her trazadone and then gabapentin, tried consoling her, but nothing was working. Finally gave her xnax. I am so wiped out! I have been up many times in the past few weeks and getting little sleep. I am having such a hard time making the decision to put her down. During the day she is better, but sleeps a lot. Thank you for the articles you posted and any other advice. I am struggling!
Hi Kathleen,
I understand the heartache and grief that comes with making a decision to say goodbye. It does sound like your girl is struggling and her quality of life is suffering. I am worried about you and your lack of sleep. ♥ I am glad you read my comment to Robin as it does sound like everything applies to your situation as well. Praying you find the strength to give your sweet girl peace and rest. May your heart be comforted knowing you did everything you could. I have no doubt your Lab girl knows how much she is loved. Bless you both.
I hope you’re doing ok. It’s been a couple of days since your post here and you may not have gotten the reassurance you needed. I always heard, and thought, I’d know when the time was right. And the time came. And I agonised over it with QoL questionnaires and chats to friends. I felt the decision was right… and worried for a long time afterwards I was wrong. I now think if you bring compassion and understanding for the dog’s plight to the process, as well as some logic, take the vet advice and also apply the prognosis… it’s all you can do. And there is hardly ever a right time if it’s not from a trauma. I’m sorry. I hope you’re coping. My heart sits with you while our doggos sit on the rainbow bridge watching us together. ?
My 13 year old
Multi-pug Dulce first showed signs of dementia about 6 months ago. She has declined very quickly since then. It started with soiling in the house and has progressed to walking into walls , losing her way in and outside, forgetting what she was doing and standing on the wrong side of doors. She also leans her head and face against walls and stares into space. She has forgotten her name and she not come when called any longer. This morning she had forgotten how to drink from her water bowl. She kept stepping in it. I was able to get her focused enough to drink. Coupled with her difficulties in moving about and her unsteady gait and near blindness I have made the very difficult decision to put her down. Our vet is coming to the house tomorrow. I am really struggling and I feel terribly guilty and can’t help but asking myself if I am moving too quickly. Her quality of life is not great, she spends the day sleeping on her bed in a play pen of sorts lined with pee pads because she has also forgotten her potty training. I hope that I am able to come to peace with my decision. She was a rescue but she saved my life as much as I saved hers. She gave me the companionship and the fulfilling sense of caring for someone that I greatly needed while going through a very painful divorce. I have had her 5 years after adopting her at 8. I will miss her so very much and my house will not be the same without her. Please give me some reassurance. People have told me when it’s time I will know it. My mind knows it but my heart doesn’t. Thanks for article.
Dear Andrew,
I understand your heartache over saying goodbye to your beloved Dulce. No matter how well our brain knows it’s time, our heart is never ready. It sounds like you made the right choice and that it came from a place of love. What a blessing to be able to give your sweet girl the peace and rest she deserved. I pray as time goes by your heart will heal. May her memory be a blessing and offer you comfort as you continue along the journey of life.
Andrew
I’m so sorry for your loss. Your beautiful baby knew she was so loved by you . Hope you are okay . My heart goes out to you ❤️
I have 2 Westies, brothers from the same litter, both 14 and a half now.
Mousie Helion, as in hell on earth, (he’s a sweetheart really) has stage 3 to stage 4 kidney disease so is on a very restrictive diet. He collapsed out of the blue about a year ago and nearly died. Fortunately he had great care very quickly and is doing remarkably well now. He takes Telmisartan daily to prevent protein build up and a phosphate binder with all his meals. His bloods are getting better but now he’s losing appetite so he’s also taking mirtazapine to increase his appetite, half the time I have to feed him by hand and I wake up not knowing if I’m going to be able to get him to eat any food before I head to work. It’s stressful looking after 1 older dog, but 2 is killing me.
The other, Wolfie Mayhem, yup as in.. well Mayhem (he’s also a sweetheart really) has had 2 TPLO surgeries so it’s easy to think the weakness in his hind legs could be due to having had surgery on both and also being due to his general age but it’s more likely however to be due to the fact he has Sick Sinus and signs of congestive heart disease. His body isn’t telling his heart to beat properly and it’s likely his body isn’t getting enough oxygen so he’s now on Theophylline twice daily. Prior to that medication he used to collapse a lot, he had these choking/fainting fits. He coughs fairly frequently still but I’m not sure that’s the heart though, I think it’s more likely his collapsed trachea as it is brought on if you touch his throat.
He was showing some discomfort at nights but we’re limited on the meds he can have as he has very early stage kidney disease also (he’s also on a restrictive diet). He tried a few things including gabapentin which just wiped him out even at really low doses. Now they’re pretty sure he’s got dementia, he walks around at night, stares aimlessly at the walls or the inside of his cage, he’s always hungry, I think he forgets he has eaten. He gets stuck in places he never used to go in the flat, most recently under the recliner with his head just resting on the mechanism underneath, then he starts whimpering and he has to be rescued. he’s starting to have the usual accidents in the house, he’s good with training pads but frequently he will use them then go into the lounge and go a second time in the middle of the room. it’s hard because I can’t tell him off, he won’t understand, but I also can’t successfully retrain him the right thing to do. The thing is he becomes more lively if he’s out of the house and off the lead, he has to be off the lead though, he just won’t go to the toilet outside anymore, it’s almost as if he has forgotten why we have gone outside. I used to use key words, if I said ‘Hurry Up’ outside they would go to the toilet but he’s forgotten that now.
He’s about to start Selgian for the dementia, I’ve no idea how effective it is but the drug they wanted to give him can’t be used because of his albeit early stage kidney disease. This takes longer to kick in so I guess it’s a waiting game.
I just looked over at him, he was trying to get in to his cage, it’s a large cage with pillows, we got it after TPLO surgery a few years back and they both love it but not at the same time. Anyway, if Mousie is lying besides his brother in the cage when I get home I know Wolfie hasn’t had the greatest day. They both find it hard climbing on my bed where they used to sleep, so I’m forever picking them up when they try to get up and have to react at a moments notice when they want to get down again, not easy as I’ve just had shoulder surgery myself. Anyway, I just looked over and he couldn’t even get in his cage because there is a little lip he needs to walk over in the door way, only about 3 inches high, yet he keeps tripping over it.
My last Westie had Cancer of the throat, we had to let him go aged 12 and a half. The thing is until the end we didn’t really use his insurance, so this time I took a gamble.
These guys have always had everything they want and need and always will but I swear they’re going to bankrupt me, but they’re my babies and that’s what you do for your babies.
Whilst they’re comfortable, happy and appear to be enjoying life they’re going nowhere. I’m not stupid, I know what the future is likely to hold, quite possibly within the next year, but I’m not letting them go just because it’s difficult for me to look after them, likewise I understand that I can’t keep them around forever just to make me feel better. It needs to be what’s best for them, always.
The best advice I would give anyone would be to get that insurance that I gambled I wouldn’t need. You may not need it, but there’s a very good chance you will and unless you’re willing to cover everything out of your own pocket in the middle of a cost of living crisis you need to do what’s right for your babies. Otherwise go get yourself a goldfish.
Anyway, If anyone has had experience with Selgian for dogs I’d love to know how it went. Anything for a little peace of mind would be appreciated right now. Alternatively if anyone has any suggestions for dogs with dementia it would be appreciated, bearing in mind that kidney disease will restrict many of the things he can take.
Any advice appreciated.
Hi Simon,
It is very clear that both of your pups are dearly loved, and they are lucky to have you advocating for their happiness and well-being. Thank you for sharing your experience and your advice on pet insurance is spot on. Here is a link to another article that discusses the use of Selegiline for dementia/cognitive dysfunction in dogs: Selegiline for Dogs: A Helpful Medication for Canine Cognitive Dysfunction
I hope that you will find the advice you need either in the article itself or in the comments left by other readers. Wishing you all the best as you continue to navigate this difficult path. Bless you and your sweet boys!
In 2017 we said goodbye to our 17 1/2 yr. old Chihuahua. He had a healthy appetite, but, unfortunately, his CCD affected every other facet of his life. He forgot how to go on a walk, why he went out the doggie door, would circle endlessly and lean on the wall, get caught between the door and the wall, go under a chair and not know how to back out and on and on. We had built him a ramp with lights to get in our bed because his vision was greatly declined. He eventually forgot how to go up the ramp, but could go down it. He would run panicked back and forth in the yard once he did go through the dog door. He was urinating all the time in the house, but we just kept two mops ready for it as we knew he couldn’t help it. It got to where he couldn’t sleep through the night once he got in bed. He would suddenly lay down and sleep for about 10 minutes and then jump up scared and trying to get down. Melatonin did not help. I was so afraid he would jump off the bed, so I had to remove the ramp so he wouldn’t try to go up. When it became a matter of his safety because we couldn’t kennel him (I don’t believe in doing that to an animal) and I couldn’t sleep for worrying about him getting stuck somewhere, I knew it was time to give him his wings. No supplements were suggested by his vet. I wish we had tried some. We now have a 15 1/2 yr. old Yorkie who has just started showing cognitive decline. I have been giving him a senior multivitamin and Dasuquin, but don’t know how good the quality is on those. Would love to have some recommendations.
Hi Kay,
So sorry for the loss of your Chihuahua and the struggles of those last few months. It sounds like you guys did a wonderful job of loving and supporting him through his CCD. Thanks for sharing his story with us. As far as your Yorkie, I think it is great that you want to figure the best ways to keep his brain as sharp as possible. Without being able to examine your dog and know his medical history, I can’t safely make any specific recommendations for him. However, there are a vast array of foods, supplements, and even some medications that may make a difference. I list some of those in my article Senior Dog Anxiety at Night? 6 Solutions for Better Sleep. It would be worth asking your vet if he or she thinks your dog could benefit from any of them (and I always recommend consulting your vet before you try any supplements or meds). Playing brain games, like they did for Dixie in the article, can also make a huge difference. It is also possible that there is a vet in your area who has a special interest in caring for dogs with CCD. If so, you could consider a consultation with him or her as well. Best of luck! ❤