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 easy-to-use energy for the dog’s brain and may help support and improve cognitive function in dogs with CCD. A great source of high quality MCT oil formulated for dogs is Dr. Buzby’s Brain Boost™ organic MCT oil for dogs.
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 Dr. Buzby,
Thank you for this article. My miniature schnauzer had a slight episode where she was hospitalized about 2 years ago. She was given about a 50% chance of survival. She pulled through! However, she started to show some strong signs of cognitive decline. She was always very high energy and she loved everyone she was around. When came home she would scream in excitement. She was always a joy to come home to. We originally thought we may have to start considering whether we would need to put her down in June 2025, but she was still excited to see us although not as often. We had to take on the responsibility to groom her because the last time she went to be groomed, she was so nervous and shaking they said they couldn’t calm her down. As we approached Christmas 2025, she still somewhat acted like her self but she was starting to look like a shadow of her former self. She had lost about 5 pounds and she rarely came to see us when we got home. During the day, she would pace for hours before finally laying down. when she did lay down, she would lay under the bed which was very unusual for her. she always wanted to be where we were at. There were moments where we would hear her crying because she would get stuck somewhere. it was always somewhere odd. as 2026 progressed, those situations got worse. Her excitement to see us had basically disappeared. She loved to be in the bathroom with us while we would shower or take a bath. sometimes, she would come in and she would be shaking so badly and crying that I could tell she was scared. We scheduled a day for an in home euthanasia and decided we would cancel or postpone if we needed, but the situation didn’t improve. Ultimately, we out her down on March 9, 2026. We gave her a good day in as much as she could tolerate by that point and it was very peaceful, but I do feel guilty. She was 14 years old but she still would eat and she still went outside although she spent a lot less time outside and walked way less than before. I’ll always miss her.
Dear Ross,
I am so sorry for the loss of your beloved pup. What a blessing you were able to offer her a peaceful passing and spare her from unnecessary suffering. I am certain she knew how much she was loved and that your presence was a comfort. Praying for healing for your heart and may her memory be with you always. ♥
Grieving the Loss of a Dog After Euthanasia (& Finding Peace)
Dear Ross….I will forever be grateful I came upon your text today. I have my beloved Buddy’s euthanasia scheduled for later today & I am grief stricken &. second guessing myself for the past several days & today feel about to jump out of my skin. What you described is exactly like how my Buddy is behaving. Deciding when someone or something dies is not my job, it’s God’s & I wish it didn’t have to be this way. Thank you for sharing your experience, it has helped me accept I am making the right decision. 😢
Dear Helen,
My heart aches for you with your loss of Buddy. May his memory always be a blessing in your life. Praying for healing for your heart and wishing you brighter days ahead. ♥
Grieving the Loss of a Dog After Euthanasia (& Finding Peace)
Hello Dr. Julie — we have always given a home to senior dogs, somewhere between the ages of 8 and older. They make wonderful addiitons to our family. It is never easy in the end, but well worth all the love they have to give.
This time ’round we adopted a fromer guide dog for the blind who was ready to retire. This sweet PB black lab was 10 years old at the time, and just shy of 11 years old in 2 weeks.. In my opinion, she was overdue for retirement but her handler was not ready for his successor dog. She was dog number five for him. She was welcomed into our pack of two other dogs.
Our Zelda turned 15 in December. She has been steadily declining cognitively over the last several months. It began with an occasional accident in the house, and now, it is an every day event if you are not quick enough to usher her out the doggie door. Gratefully my husband is retired while I’ m at the office. If she gets up after a nap, we get her out. If she whines in the middle of the night, I’m up and getting her out. More recently, her whining accompanies her trying to get up (her back legs are not as strong) off her bed leaving a trail behind her, unbeknownst to her that it’s even happened. At times, she will defacate in her sleep, although just a few times. Despite letting her out the door, she will stand there, look around, come back in, and have another accident in the house.
She is amost completely deaf and her eyesight is clouded over . I use the face of my cell phone to guide her at night rather than a brighter flash light. She cannot hear me if I try to usher her in from the fenced in yard. I am out with her most of the time, day or middle of the night. She has beat cancer (with one toe amputated as a result), has a hematoma in her one ear which we have drained twice and have decided to just let her be. We have difficulty getting her out of the house into a car because she is very anxious leaving — the last time, defacating all over the back of the car. We have decided to all her grooming at home.
Despite being a former, fully trained service dog, she no longer responds to commands and no longer alerts to go out. Her whining can mean anything including asking for attention, interacting with her fur-brothers, or just whining with no cause. She has been getting up more often during the night and has added pacing to her repertoire — last night, she could not settle down. This behavior went on from 2:30 am until close to 4:00 am, at which time, I read your article (thank you for clarifying this btw). She seems restless, and at times will stop and stare or an occasionally head press but come out of that more quickly (our former senior dog did this when her sugar dropped).
My husband feels that it’s her time. I am not ready. Although I see her having these issues, she wags her tail all the time, eats fine, is eager to take treats and enjoys being petted. She loves peanut butter on a ritz cracker which is her favorite snack. I’m not sure if there is every a good time to “know” when to help them cross. But again, thank you for your article which does clarifiy a lot of her behaviors. We will continue to rescue our senior canine friends!
Warmly, Donna (Camp Hill, PA)
Dear Donna,
My heart aches for you as you try to decide when is best to say goodbye to Zelda. When dogs reach the end of their days, they enter a “window” of time where letting go can be the most loving option even if it isn’t urgent. It sounds like Zelda has entered her window. It is ok to let go before all joy is lost and the only thing that remains is pain. 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 and great advice from other readers as well. Hoping you can find the answers you need to have clarity and peace with the tough decisions ahead. Thank you for caring for these senior pups and continuing to advocate for their well-being. Bless you and yours. ♥
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
4. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
My husband and I have an 18 year old Shepherd/Terrier mix that we know has dementia honestly, it is end stage. We have always avoided taking him to the vet since we have had him (5 months old) because it is very traumatic for him. He literally starts losing his fur with in minutes of being at the vet. He also bites and acts like a complete terrorist the entire visit. With that being said I feel it would be too much to take him to the vet to diagnosis something that is pretty clear. He did have a swollen ear in the early summer and he couldn’t prop his ear up an more so my husband which is the only one that can hold him down took him to the vet and they said he had a hematoma in his ear and that we could use some drops, an ointment and a antibiotic to help it but also suggest to put him down. I was there at the visit so I am not totally sure what that was being based on. But all the meds helped. We already knew on this visit and had known for sometime that he has dementia.
My husband and I are at two separate points with Boobers condition. My husband is more “he is living his best life”, if he goes in the house, he goes. Doesn’t want to crate him at night, only if we aren’t home. And also seems to feel that when Boober has these sudden burst of energy and is bounding around the yard for a few minutes that its him again living his best life. Maybe on that he is, I am not sure because it usually ends with him trying to take a flying leap up four stairs which he never lands and always falls or smashes his face. We try to stop him but usually you can’t move fast enough!
On my side, I don’t feel that he is living his best life. Boober was the dog that would NEVER go to the bathroom in the house and was actually the role model for our other dogs on going outside. Now, he goes in the house everyday. When he is outside with the other two dogs his just stands there. Sometimes after a few minutes he will pee and then leap up the stairs and want in. I try to leave him out longer than the other two dogs but it is getting much colder outside and when it is dinner or breakfast time I try to time all the dogs in at the same time so they all are eating at the same mainly because I know the other two will go for Boobers food if we aren’t standing right there because they finish so much faster than he does. He takes forever to eat. And doesn’t eat that much unless I give him tuna. He seems to mash his food down in his bowl as well so he usually has rice stuck to his nose.
He paces for hours. Night time doesn’t seem as bad as it used to be but I think it is because I am home from work much earlier now and he has from 3pm until after 9pm to just pace with little breaks in between. He has a hard time laying down and starting to have a hard time getting up. My husband had to carry him outside last night. Our dogs stay upstairs with us at night so he does have to be carried or lead down the stair a lot especially if he has just woke up. I have gates up because he does fall up and down the stairs.
Getting him to go back upstairs at any point is a huge task. He just simply when run and you will have to chase him around the entire downstairs closing doors behind you so you can finally have him locked into the hallway with one person at the stairs and the other behind him so he can’t bolt off to get away. If you go to grab him to try to stop him, point him in the right direction, he bites.
Sometimes if one of my other dogs just walks by him, he will try to bite them. The other day I was sitting outside watching them on a potty break and he walked behind my truck, barely touched the tow hitch and turned around and bit that. I was like OMG Boober, really?
To me he seems very confused, very anxious and stressed. He has never been a cuddly dog and never been very affectionate. He has always been my husbands dude but he dips away from my husband going to pet him and bites at him with simple things like redirection too.
I know my husband knows the end is pretty near and I think he has the best at heart for his beloved Boober but how much of it is him holding on for himself and not seeing that Boober is suffering or maybe he isn’t see these things as suffering because it isn’t physical pain so much? He does everything he can to help Boober but I see that he is becoming frustrated and inpatient at times.
I mentioned that I have two other dogs that are much younger than Boober. A 3 year old Staffy, Arya and a 7 year old Beagle/Boston, Marty. Marty avoids Boober like the plague! He used to engage with him but now he won’t have anything to do with him other than trying to steal his food. Arya has nothing to do with him but does see herself as the doggie police and will alert when he is going to the bathroom in the house and his relentless pacing annoys her. At night she will jump off the bed and try to stop him. I have heard that sick dogs put off a scent and wonder if that is why my other two dogs are behaving the way they are towards him. I do keep a very close eye on things but if Boober were to attack Arya, she would go back at him.
So, I know this is a lot but I am looking for advice. It’s hard thing to talk to my husband about because his defenses are up and I understand how he is feeling. I also worry that something bad is going to happen like we come home and Boober has passed in his crate or had an accident or he just gives out one day in front of us.
I don’t know what to do but I don’t think after spending a few hours reading everyone’s stories here that Boober is living his best life 🙁
Dear Brandy,
I am sorry you are in this difficult situation with Boober. I can only imagine how hard it is when you want to do what is best for him but feel like you and your husband aren’t on the same page. It does sound like your boy’s quality of life has declined and he is living with a lot of anxiety and confusion. Without examining him myself it is hard to make specific conclusions and recommendations. I will attach links to other articles with more information. Don’t forget you can always ask your vet to weigh in with their expert opinion as well. Praying for clarity and strength as you navigate this emotional path. Bless you and your family.
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
4. Preparing for Your Dog’s Euthanasia: 10 Thoughts for Peace
Hi i just read your piece and i am so sad just crying as im writing this. We rescued the sweetest chocolate lab/ husky mix At age 3. He was in the shelter for a year I don’t know why he was fully trained and a very good boy. No accidents no bad habits. I loved him from the minute i set eyes on him and he came to me and buried his head in my chest as if to say he loved me too even though we had just met. Here now today he is almost 9 and year ago he was having some issues with getting scared easily ( he has always had anxiety the behavior doc and trainer said likely due to some of his treatment in his previous life)
But the past year it’s been on a different level. His eyes are clouded so I do believe his vision is going and now possibly hearing. He won’t come to his food bowl if I call him over I have to walk to him and bring the bowl. He doesn’t do it all meals he follows his sister over when I say “time for foodies”. But it’s occurring more and more. He is scared and jumps when nothing is there, he sits and stares off at the wall when I’m calling him. He is not wanting to go up our stairs he will circle multiple times or until I coax him with a slice of turkey.
We thought he was just being stubborn. I am now starting to think it might be dementia. Which breaks my heart into pieces for him and selfishly for our family.
He doesn’t have accidents in the house and does sleep all night. He barks a lot for no reason he never used to bark at all really unless the doorbell rang. He is on anxiety meds and gabapentin for his hip. His sister is 5 step sister but she is Alan German Shepard mix and she plays rough outside he used to be so interested in play he lets her tackle him and I think he just got some hip pain. It’s comes and goes. Anyhow he does play still from time to time but not as interested. She respects that and lets him bask in the sun. I just have this awful feeling he is heading down this path of dementia and our vet whom was the best she just left the office I don’t want to take him back to the new vet. I just want your opinion do these seem like symptoms of dementia? He had all blood work that was perfect. He get regular physicals and dentals. He is my child and we take great care of them.
He isn’t eating as much as he used to but is a healthy weight. Before all this though he was getting a little chubby. We did cut back on food since we moved to az they can’t play outside all summer so they had gained weight hence why we adjusted.
I am just dying inside thinking about this and sorry for the book but I would just really love your opinion. I know you haven’t met him but based on what I am explaining and him having great heath otherwise what is your thought? I truly appreciate your info and you seem to really care. That means a lot
Thanks
Jana
Hi Jana,
My heart just aches for you as you face this emotional situation with your beloved boy. From what you describe, I do think this sounds like the early stages of dementia/cognitive dysfunction. I am sorry you no longer have access to the vet you have come to know and trust. Starting over can be scary. I do think you need to find a vet with whom you can partner to ensure your senior guy continues to get the care and medical attention he needs. I can only imagine how hard it is to watch your pup struggle with these new behaviors. Luckly there are several medications, supplements, and therapies that can offer some help. I will attach links to other articles with more information. Praying for your strength and comfort as you navigate this difficult path. Bless you and your sweet boy. ♥
1. Canine Cognitive Dysfunction in Dogs: Signs, Symptoms, Solutions
2. MCT Oil for Dogs Can Help Dogs with Dementia or Epilepsy
3. 13 Mental Stimulation Toys for Dogs (& Activities Too)
4. Exercise & Enrichment for Senior Dogs Boosts Brain Health
5. Dementia in Dogs: When to Euthanize Your Beloved Senior Dog
Hello,
My girl is a Lhasa apso and is 13 years old. I inherited her from my aunt & uncle after they passed. I’ve had her 4 years now. She is now checking every single box for dementia. She has even bit me when I picked her up from behind because I startled her. She will no longer allow me to crate her because she gets scared at night and barks non stop. I got her a new comfy bed and I placed her in my office with my computer monitors on for light. She is now sleeping 20 hours a day. When she is awake she walks in circles, wanders non stop, doesn’t like being held anymore (she lived her life on my uncle’s lap and then on my husband’s lap), she is a very picky eater and will go two days at a time without eating, she tilts her head, she has cataracts and can’t see well, forgets where she is, walks into things or sits and stares at the wall… so on and so forth. She messes in the house constantly too. She is actually causing a great deal of anxiety in me just by constantly circling because I don’t know if she’s going to walk into something or go to the bathroom in the house. I hate to consider end of life steps, but I’m thinking that’s a conversation I need to have with her vet. This is most definitely late stage dementia.
Dear Cindy,
My heart goes out to you as you face this emotional situation with your senior girl. I agree, her quality of life sounds poor, and I am so sorry you are bearing the burden of being a full-time caretaker. I think it is wise to have the end-of-life discussion with your vet. Letting go may be the only way to offer your sweet girl peace and freedom from suffering. Praying for strength and comfort as you navigate this difficult path. Bless you both. ♥
Dementia in Dogs: When to Euthanize Your Beloved Senior Dog
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!