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.
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. ♥