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.
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
I have a shorkie that will be 14 in March. We have known he probably has dementia for a little while now. When the pacing and night time awakening and whining became too much we started him on trazadone and gabapentin a few weeks ago. Both at bedtime and then usually a trazadone in the morning if need be. Physically he seems good. You wouldn’t know he is almost 14 probs. The nonstop pacing and licking when he is awake is getting to be alot and has accelerated this week. He was gobbling up his food like he hadn’t been fed in days when we started him on these meds but that has changed up to a couple of days ago. That habit has slowed down. His eyesight isn’t the greatest and his hearing is definitely decreasing – sometimes more than others. I’m struggling to decide how long we continue this journey. The last couple of days the licking and pacing is becoming a lot. Mainly floors, cupboards and furniture etc. He is starting to lick himself a lot more the last few days. He also wants out for a pee and then when you let him in he wants out the other door. After that he seems okay with and doesn’t bother you to go back outside for a while. He doesn’t tolerate our kids dogs when they come home any more so we have to keep him in our bedroom with white noise and a dose of his trazadone:/gabapentin. He’s currently laying beside me and almost snoring which he has never done. He’s making noises in his sleep. If I go to get up he will immediately get up too and start pacing and licking.
I get stuck in my head trying to decide what the right thing to do is. He’s not really having accidents in the house. Maybe once in a blue moon lately but we do crate him when we aren’t here. What do we do at this point? Keep waiting it out or is his quality of life diminishing at this point significantly?
Dear Randi,
My heart goes out to you as you try and make this difficult choice for your senior guy. From what you describe, he is dealing with anxiety and confusion daily and his quality of life does seem diminished. It is ok to let go before all joy is lost and the only thing that remains is struggling. 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 advice on how to make this emotional decision. Praying for you and your family. Bless you all.
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. How Will You Know When It’s Time to Euthanize Your Dog? 5 Caring, Heartfelt Messages
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
I just lost my baby Princess. She was 17 and a half yrs old and she was a loving beautiful pomeranian. We got her at 11 months old and she was so active and healthy her entire life almost. I just wanted to come on here and share my story as it is helping me grieve since we just put her down on Saturday which was 2 days ago. About a yr ago she started to get up in the middle of the night and just walk around. I goggled her behavior and read articles about dementia in dogs. For about 6 months it was easy. I would just get up with her and take her out to pee and hold her for a few min and she go back to sleep. I think at this time it was her waking up confused but as soon as mommy had her she felt better. As time went on it would be easy and hard from just taking 5 min to settle her down to some days I would have to lay for hours with her in on the floor to get her back to sleep or it was just every few hrs to get up with her not just 1 time.
she was still happy and eating so I sacrificed my sleep because I felt she was still her.
in this last week she started to show these signs of getting lost in the house during the day and not just at night. she would bark and bark and even if I loved on her and tried to give kisses she wouldn’t respond and nothing helped. she also had slowed down at eating and even when she tried it ran right thru her and on her last morning with us she physically couldn’t.
I knew it was her time. she wasn’t my princess anymore. her mind was gone and she was just a dog who’s body was shutting down.
as heartbroken as I am its not because she’s gone. she was suffering so much it wasn’t a hard choice to make. my pain right now is how I was so frustrated the last day with her because I couldn’t do anything but after reading about dementia in dogs it gives me comfort that she probably didn’t even know what was happening or who I was. she was so confused regardless of how I behaved.
I do have the comfort of her final night with us because she slept peacefully from 6pm to 3 am and then we just spent 3 to 8am just lying in bed and then once she barked once I called the vet because I knew she wasn’t princess anymore and she was suffering.
as soon as i called the vet I picked her up to leave and from that moment on she never barked again. dogs have the ability to sense human emotions and I think she felt my relief of knowing it was time to let her go and she felt at peace and she looked at me the whole time I held her in the car and at the vet. im praying in that moment she felt all the love and she felt safe and peace and didn’t remember those last 2 awful days with her. she gave one final kiss as we were saying goodbye.
thank you for allowing me to share my story as it is helping my grieve and try to learn to live without her.
Dear Jennifer,
My heart aches for you as you grieve the loss of your beloved Princess. I am certain that despite her memory loss she knew how much she was loved and that your presence was a comfort in those final moments. I hope with time your heart can begin to heal, and you will find peace. May her memory stay with you always and continue to be a blessing in your life. ♥
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 !