Sundowners in dogs is a common problem for our grey-muzzled companions. To help shed some light on this condition, integrative veterinarian Dr. Julie Buzby discusses the cause, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment for sundowners in dogs. Plus, she provides a variety of practical ways to calm a dog with sundowners so you both can get more sleep.
Senior dogs can make wonderful companions for many pet parents. But sadly, with advancing age can come a variety of challenging medical conditions. Some health problems can be brought to light with a physical exam, routine blood testing, or special imaging. But cognitive function problems such as sundowners syndrome tend to be a bit harder to pinpoint in older dogs.
Can dogs get sundowners?
You may have heard the term “sundowners” as a condition that a grandparent or other human family member is afflicted with. It generally applies to older adults who are experiencing abnormal behavior or confusion that starts late in the evening and extends into the night hours.
As it turns out, dogs can have sundowners too, and it even looks sort of like it does in people.
What is sundowners syndrome in dogs?
In dogs, sundowners syndrome is part of canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS), which can also be called doggie dementia. All of these terms describe a slow process of cognitive decline which occurs in older dogs. It is a recognized medical condition, not just “normal aging” or “slowing down.”
Since dogs are living longer, doggie dementia is becoming a more prominent problem. In fact, one research study indicated that 28% of 11 to 12-year-old dogs, 48% of 14-year-old dogs, and 68% of 16-year-old dogs will have some degree of cognitive dysfunction.
In general, sundowners can affect activity levels, personality, and sleep-wake cycles. Affected senior dogs may sleep more and play less as they get older. Aging dogs who were once outgoing and sociable may suddenly become reserved, fearful, or in rare cases, more aggressive. And it may also become harder for them to sleep through the night, resulting in them pacing around the house in the dark at odd hours. This last behavior is why doggie dementia sometimes gets called sundowners syndrome in dogs.
Why does sundowners occur?
While the true cause of sundowning in dogs is unknown, researchers believe that a senior dog’s brain may undergo some of the same physical changes as the brain of a human with Alzheimer’s disease. Over time, proteins called beta-amyloid accumulate in the brain’s tissues. These proteins form plaques that lead to brain inflammation and irreplaceable loss of nerve cells.
This loss of neurons has many consequences, one of which is a disruption of the dog’s biological clock. Normally the body runs on a 24-hour cycle known as a circadian rhythm. One of the big regulators of circadian rhythm is a hormone (i.e. chemical messenger) called melatonin. A small gland in the brain, the pineal gland, releases melatonin when the body senses less light (e.g. when the sun goes down). This makes a normal dog tired and helps to reset the circadian rhythm for another day.
However, this process doesn’t always work right for dogs with dementia. Due to the structural changes in the brain and a drop in melatonin levels, dogs with sundowners can have problems with their sleep-wake cycles. This may help explain why sundowning in dogs is more common in the evening and night hours.
What are the signs of sundowners in dogs?
As I alluded to, issues with sleep-wake cycles are but one of the many manifestations of cognitive dysfunction in dogs. Generally, the symptoms may appear mild in the beginning and then intensify over time. This is particularly true in dogs who live longer than 12 to 13 years.
To help remember the different signs of dementia in dogs, you can use the acronym DISHAAL. It stands for the following:
- Disorientation
- Interaction changes
- Sleep changes
- House soiling
- Activity changes
- Anxiety
- Learning and memory
Let’s take a look at each of these symptoms in a bit more detail.
Disorientation
Affected dogs may seem confused or almost as if they are zoned out. A disoriented pup will have trouble navigating his or her surroundings, and you may find him or her stuck in corners or behind furniture. Additionally, sundowning dogs might gaze into space, staring at a wall, or pace or wander without stopping. Sadly, sometimes they won’t even recognize their family members.
Interaction changes
Dogs with sundowners may not greet their owners like they used to. Some dogs may even go to great lengths to avoid interaction entirely. This may include hiding from people and other pets or becoming visibly upset when someone touches them.
Alternatively, a normally aloof pup may suddenly stick to your side like glue. All of these scenarios could point to sundowning if they are abnormal for your dog.
Sleep changes
Instead of staying asleep until morning, dogs with sundowners might wake up several times a night. Sometimes you may notice senior dog anxiety at night, including pacing, panting, whining, or barking. Or you might wake up to a furry face breathing near yours or the sound of ceaseless tag-jingling.
For dog parents, the loss of sleep seems to be one of the hardest aspects of sundowning to deal with. Once your dog wakes you (and potentially the rest of the household), it can be hard to get back to sleep. Dealing with this night after night can feel overwhelming and discouraging. Your dog can (and likely does) sleep all day, but you probably don’t have that luxury.
House soiling
Dogs potty-trained from a young age will rarely have accidents inside the house. But because dogs with sundowners become confused, they might start urinating and defecating in your home. It can also seem like they cannot hold their bladders for as long as they used to. This might result in you having to walk your furry friend more frequently and/or purchasing “piddle” pads for your pup.
Activity changes
Some dogs may suddenly become more active while others start sleeping the day away instead of playing. The excitable, energetic dog that suddenly shows less interest in running or playing fetch could be showing signs of sundowners. So could a dog who was normally a “couch potato” but now endlessly paces or walks in circles.
Anxiety
Senior dogs with sundowners can become fearful of new things in the home (e.g. furniture). Or, where once your dog wanted to be in the center of the activity, he or she may now spend more time on the outskirts, shaking or hiding. Your dog may also be more reactive to loud sounds or fast activity. This might explain why some older dogs can show signs of anxiety around young children or excitable new pets.
Also, in addition to increased noise and visual sensitivity, dogs with sundowners who were normally calm being away from their family members might start to develop separation anxiety as they age.
Learning and memory
Dogs with dementia may forget some of the basic tricks they learned like “sit” and “stay.” Plus, it may become more difficult for them to learn new commands or behaviors as they get older. Even though most dog parents don’t agree with the old adage, this might be where the phrase “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks” was coined.
Sundowning dogs may also forget where their food and water is. Or they may go to the wrong side of the door, or not even remember which door takes them outside. This can make necessary daily tasks like eating and going outside much more difficult.
How is sundowners syndrome diagnosed?
As you have probably gathered, dogs with sundowners can have a wide array of different symptoms. Cognitive decline isn’t a one-size-fits-all process. This also means that diagnosing it isn’t always very straightforward because there isn’t an easy diagnostic test with a “yes” or “no” result.
To further complicate matters, sometimes other conditions may have signs that also look a little like sundowners. For example:
- Congestive heart failure and kidney failure in dogs may negatively affect blood flow to the brain. This can lead to cognitive changes.
- Osteoarthritis in dogs can cause a dog to be less active or more touchy when handled.
- Withdrawing from the family, not resting well, and changes in activity level can also be signs your dog is in pain.
- UTI in dogs, diabetes insipidus in dogs, pyelonephritis in dogs, urinary incontinence in older dogs, and pyometra in dogs can all cause urinary accidents.
Due to these factors, your vet often needs to do a bit of detective work to find the cause of your dog’s symptoms.
He or she will start by talking with you about what you are seeing at home. Then he or she may ask you to fill out a canine cognitive dysfunction checklist. These checklists can be a helpful way to visually see how many symptoms of sundowners the dog is showing and which areas are most problematic.
Additionally, your vet will want to perform a complete physical exam and some routine testing to rule out medical problems. This might include blood work, urine testing, and imaging like X-rays or ultrasound. Once it is clear that the symptoms are not coming from a physical ailment, your vet may conclude that your furry friend has sundowners syndrome. Then it is time to talk about how to help your sundowning dog.
What is the treatment for sundowners?
While there is no definitive cure, dogs suffering from sundowner syndrome have lots of different therapeutic options. It is important to remember, though, that no one particular therapy will be 100% effective. And it can take several weeks or months before you may see a positive response.
Medications
In recent years, the antidepressant selegiline has been approved for use in dogs for the treatment of CDS. Selegiline for dogs (Anipryl®) works by increasing dopamine levels in the brain. Since dopamine is a signaling molecule, increased levels can help with memory and improve the ability of nerve cells to “talk” to one another. It isn’t the solution for every dog, but one study indicated that 77% of dogs with CDS showed improvement on selegiline.
Additionally, sundowning dogs may benefit from anti-anxiety medications like trazadone. Since it is a serotonin antagonist/reuptake inhibitor (SARI), trazadone increases the level of serotonin (i.e. the happy hormone) in the brain. This can help dogs feel more calm.
Supplements
There are also a variety of useful supplements for sundowners syndrome in dogs:
- Solliquin® and Zylkene® contain ingredients that are naturally calming and/or can help with the creation of serotonin.
- Adaptil® contain pheromones that mimic those of a nursing mother dog, which is meant to help with relaxation.
- Antioxidant supplements like Novifit® or products containing resveratrol may reduce the formation of harmful free radicals and help with overall brain function.
- Melatonin for dogs can help dogs with sleep-wake cycle disturbances sleep better at night.
- Omega-3 fatty acids for dogs have anti-inflammatory effects and are good for brain health.
- CBD oil for dogs may be beneficial for dogs with sundowners because of its purported anti-inflammatory and calming effects. However, there is still little data proving its efficacy.
Brain-health diets
Diet can also have an impact on your dog’s brain health, and may help calm a dog with sundowners. Prescription diets like Hill’s® Prescription Diet b/d canine and Purina® Neuro Care are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants. The goal of these diets is to help minimize inflammation and delay the onset of age-related changes in the brain.
Purina also makes a probiotic called Calming Care that has been shown to have a naturally calming effect on dogs.
How can you calm a dog with sundowners?
Besides relying on calming medications and supplements, try out some of these at-home tips to help decrease sundowning:
1. Maintain a calm household (or give your dog a quiet spot)
This means trying to lower the amount of noise or sounds at home, especially during the daytime. If loud sounds and chaos is unavoidable (like at my house with 8 kids!), try to find a quiet area for your dog to relax in peace.
2. Play calming music
Consider playing a variety of calm, quiet music in the background throughout the day. When researchers investigated the effects of music on shelter dogs, they found that classical, jazz, and reggae music had a calming effect. That would make those genres (or something similar) a good option. However, based on the study at least, you should avoid rock music because it made the dogs more nervous.
3. Avoid bright lights, especially in the evening or at night.
Since melatonin release is tied to light levels, keeping the lights down in the evening may lead to higher melatonin levels. This could translate to better sleep at night.
4. Exercise and explore together.
Getting outside for a walk, hike, game of fetch, or even a dog wagon ride has many benefits for your dog. Exercise is great for mobility and weight management. Plus, doing activities together strengthens your bond and stimulates your dog’s brain.
There are a few safety considerations to keep in mind, though. If your dog is used to a sedentary lifestyle or has orthopedic issues, work with your vet to create a safe exercise plan. Also, be careful with letting your dog off leash. Sometimes dogs with sundowners can get confused and wander off, fall in a pond, or get into other dangerous situations.
5. Keep your dog’s surroundings familiar and safe.
To help minimize confusion and injury, try to avoid rearranging the furniture or moving your dog’s food and water dishes. Also, consider purchasing a baby gate to block your dog’s access to areas where he or she could get hurt (e.g. at the top of a flight of stairs).
How long do dogs live with sundowners?
The medications, supplements, and strategies we just discussed can improve the quality of life for dogs with sundowners. And since sundowners syndrome doesn’t directly impact the dog’s physical health, some dogs can live for several years after the diagnosis. However, eventually the mental toll sundowners takes on dogs (and their families) may raise the question, “When do I euthanize my dog with dementia?“
This isn’t a question I can answer for you, but I can help you start to think through it. Like many euthanasia decisions, it comes down to quality of life. But in this case, quality of life might look a bit different because the dog’s mind, not the dog’s body, is sick. For example, a physically healthy dog can still have a poor quality of life if he or she is awake all night, severely anxious, getting lost frequently in the house or yard, not recognizing family members, etc.
You know and love your dog so I suspect that you will have an idea of when it might be time to say goodbye. But you can, and should, also lean on your veterinarian during this time. He or she can provide tools like a quality of life scale for dogs and answer any questions about preparing for your dog’s euthanasia.
Finally, I want to remind you that you are not being selfish when you make the decision to euthanize your dog with sundowners. You aren’t doing it because you are tired of caring for your dog and cleaning up messes or want to get some sleep. Instead, you are making a loving decision to set your beloved dog free from the confines of his or her mind. That isn’t selfish at all.
Tackle sundowners in dogs with your vet’s help
Watching your sundowning dog struggle can be heartbreaking, but it doesn’t have to leave you feeling powerless. If you notice changes in your dog’s behavior or cognitive function, please contact your vet. While there’s no cure for sundowners, there are things that your vet can recommend to help calm your dog and boost his or her mental function.
It may seem difficult in the moment but try to remind yourself that sundowners may alter what your dog’s sunset years look like, but it doesn’t have to take the enjoyment out of them. In many cases, there is still a lot of smiles, snuggles, and fun left to be had.
Does your dog have sundowners syndrome?
Please comment below.
My German shepherd mix Rory is almost 14 and I believe based on the fact my vet said he has ccd is experiencing sundowners. He has also been paralyzed for the last two years in his back legs but we have done our best to make him as comfortable as possible ( he hated his wheels that we tried for him so we just carried him around and spend as much time with him as we can which for me is all day). Buy in the last month he has started barking and falling over on his bed in what seems like mental agony at certain times throughout the day but more so from around 3:30-4pm and then during the night at times for hours. After an episode of barking he usually then falls asleep for a bit from exhaustion for an hour or two until he wakes and then starts to have another episode. Then in the mornings he seems calm and fine, eats and drinks well and all bodily functions otherwise normal. I started him on Selegiline 4 days ago as a last resort because the frequency of his barking has increased – so far he was quiet last night but he just had another 30 minute barking episode and is now sleeping. Given his state of paralysis it is really weighing on me as to whether or not I should euthanize- because this is nothing like anything I’ve experienced with any dog in the past – and it truly is breaking my heart to think that maybe there’s a way for him to be calm again so I can let him live out his days with love.
Hi Martina,
What a heartbreaking and exhausting situation. CCD is so hard on the dogs we love, and it is also so hard on us as dog parents. As your vet probably mentioned, usually Selegiline takes around a month for full effect (but can take up to 12 weeks). Hopefully he responds well to it and it solves some of his confusion and barking at night so you can both get more sleep and he won’t be feeling so anxious and disoriented. While you can’t combine many of the common anti-anxiety medications with Selegiline, you could also ask your vet about giving Rory a melatonin supplement. Sometimes that can help a bit with sleep as well.
Additionally, since you mentioned considering if you should euthanize him, I also wanted to offer you some resources that might be helpful (see the links below). Is is such a difficult decision, and it is easy to second guess yourself. However, I always try to remind my clients that mental disease like CCD are still diseases, and they can take a toll on a dog’s quality of life the same way other more obvious conditions like kidney disease or arthritis do.
I hope the way forward becomes clear to you. Thinking about you in this difficult time. ❤️
Here are the links I mentioned:
1. Dementia in Dogs: When to Euthanize Your Beloved Senior Dog
2. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
3. Selegiline for Dogs: A Helpful Medication for Canine Cognitive Dysfunction
My mother in law passed away May 2022 from dementia and we took in her 2 senior dogs about a year before she passed away. Her very loved Tipetan Spaniel Cali. Cali is now 15 and started barking non stop for 30 minutes and more during the day and night. She did this for months….and she would sleep in odd places like under furniture and not socialize or engage with her other dogs in our house. Then she was not using her hind legs and dragging them to get around. It was pitiful and the vet prescribed carprofen and gabapentin for arthritis. This went on for weeks and weeks and she was not having accidents in home and still eating and all.
Then one day she just miraculously started walking again and even running outside….we were amazed cause we thought we were just about to make the decision to let her go cause watching her drag her hind legs around was very sad.
Well today she is walking just fine but like you mentioned in article, she walks around the house pacing and looks lost and just wanders. She only wants to sleep on a hard tile floor in my master bathroom and closet in the dark. She has been peeing in the house in certain spots and I have put pee pads down and she pees wherever. She is still eating but at times start to eat and walks away and I have to put bowl down in front of her again to finish eating. She walks on a leash in cool weather now for a very short walk but she seems happy to be outside and in cool air.
We will keep her comfortable and happy as long as we can for my Mother in Law loved her and before her dementia took her away she thanked me for taking care of her dogs.
Hi Linda,
My heart goes out to you on the loss of your mother-in-law. Dementia, be it in animals or people, is such a cruel and heartbreaking disease, and I’m sorry that it took her from you and is now affecting her beloved dog. Cali has had her fair share of health issues recently, but I’m glad to hear that she regained the ability to walk and is still able to enjoy her short walks outside. Many of the other things you described do very much sound like dementia unfortunately, which as you know all too well, can definitely be challenging. It sounds like you are already keeping a careful eye on her quality of life, but I wanted to mention that filling out a quality of life scale (see link below) on a weekly basis can sometimes be a helpful tool for tracking her comfort and happiness. I’ll also include a link about an article that my dear friend Dr. Woodruff wrote that talks about how to know when to euthanize a dog with dementia. I know you may not be at that point yet, but I think that sometimes reading about and thinking about that inevitable loss can be helpful ahead of time.
Thank you for loving and caring for Cali so well. I hope you are able to have some more good days together and that you will have a sense of peace and clarity about how best to care for her in her remaining days.❤️
Here are those links:
1) Dementia in Dogs: When to Euthanize Your Beloved Senior Dog
2) Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
Thank you so much for this article, and for all of the comments and replies. I am reading this article at 2 am, after trying to comfort my 12 year old dog for the past 2 hours to no avail, despite the gabapentin/trazadone cocktail my vet prescribed just last week. Now, thanks to you, I understand that it’s Sundowners. I will call my vet in the morning to ask about Anipryl, and will consider the supplements you referenced. I am so grateful for the information, compassion, kindness and support you’ve offered all of us who are suffering right along with our dogs. I too believe that psychological pain is every bit as real as physical pain. I pray I can help her, and I’m grateful I’ll have the option of letting her go if the time comes.
Hi Holly,
I am sorry your girl is struggling with this nighttime anxiety and her medications don’t seem to be helping. Thank you for the kind words about the article. I am glad it offered some guidance and comfort in this difficult season of life. I hope you were able to partner with your vet to find the right treatments for your pup. Praying she has found some relief, and her quality of life is improved. Feel free to leave an update if you have a chance. Wishing you both the best!
I watched my father-in-law try to deal with sundowners several years ago. It was the most difficult thing I’ve ever done taking care of him with his dementia and Alzheimer’s,and so many times I second guessed myself if I as doing enough, or doing the right thing. Now I’m going through the same thing with my 13 year old shar pei. In the last year and a half, she’s lost her sister she’d been with since birth, and we moved into my daughters home. Watching her decline is breaking my heart, but all I can do is try to help her. She’s also in heart failure, has arthritis and cataracts. When she’s having a good spell, I’m so happy she still feels good, even when I know it won’t last but a little while. She’s gotten clingy, shows some aggression to her beagle cousins, goes to the bathroom in places she never would have a few years ago, paces into the night and sleeps most of the day. Your article helped a lot! I’m discussing new medications with her vet and hope they will give her some relief in the time she has left. I recently found out that she has 4-6 months with me due to her heart failure. Thanks to what you’ve written, I’m determined to make those months the best I can give her.
Dear Marie,
I am so sorry your senior girl’s health is declining and your time together will be short. I am glad the article was helpful and offered some comfort in this difficult season of life. Your sweet girl is lucky to have you by her side advocating for her well-being and happiness. Wishing you both peace and joy each day. Bless you. ♥
My mom passed away 3 years ago and we took her senior chihuahua. No idea how old but I’d say min 14, max 16 years old. She tore her ccl and has bilateral patella luxation (maybe saying that wrong). Because of her age we are treating her discomfort only and actually she doesn’t seem in pain but is unstable on her feet. Im a nurse and have seen sundowners a lot. My min pin had this as well but lived to be 19. But this baby “Missy”, starts her sundowners about 9 pm and usually slows down between 12-1am. Maybe more and I sleep through it. She urinates almost every night somewhere except her pee pad. Sometimes poops in odd places. Thankfully the downstairs is tiled. At her age and deciding not to do 3 surgery’s on her legs (the vet wanted me to take her. Not only was it 10,000$, but horrible rehab and recovery and her age it seemed incredibly cruel so my gut said no and mom would never do that either). But the sundowners is killing me. If I crate her she cries at night because I think it causes more anxiety, if I don’t she hobbles all over the place and I’m so worried she will tear her other ccl and then we’d have no option but to euthanize. I know her time is near but I still regret and second guess my 19 yr old and my heart dog’s euthanasia. Which I know is silly because being nearly 20, she had the best life but she ate that day. Wagged her tail and died in my arms licking ice cream. A nice way to go.. still I don’t want to rush this dog into a grave but I would hate if she suffered one day while I was gone. They say it’s inevitable she will tear or rupture her other ccl but when, they can’t say. I just don’t know what to do with a dog still happy but with a poor prognosis.
Hi Elizabeth,
I’m so sorry for the loss of your mom. It was so kind of you to take in Missy and care for her. As you experienced with your Min Pin and you are seeing now in Missy, sundowners can be so challenging and heartbreaking to navigate. I know that making the decision for euthanasia is never easy, especially in a dog who seems happy at other times in the day, but mental diseases like sundowners can take a toll on a dog’s quality of life just physical diseases do. My dear friend Dr. Woodruff wrote an excellent article on thinking through when to euthanize a dog with dementia (see link below) that I think could be helpful for you.
Regarding your heart dog’s euthanasia, I just wanted to say that I firmly believe that it is better to set a dog free one day too soon than one day too late. It sounds like she had a wonderful long life with you and that you made the right choice to set her free when you did. Her last moments were filled with love and ice cream rather than suffering, and that is huge.
Thinking about you as you wrestle with these tough decisions and all the emotions that go along with not only losing a dog you love, but also a dog who was a connection to your mom. ❤️
Here is the link to that article: Dementia in Dogs: When to Euthanize Your Beloved Senior Dog
Thank you
My dog Sweetie is 16 and I think she does have sundowners. She fits all the symptoms. I have and amy trying different meds with her, more otc meds. She has congestive heart failure for the past 2 years now. She still eats and drinks well. She has her bursts of energy with her tail wagging and prancing around. Her physical being is good for a dog her age.
I have toggled with putting her down but since she is eating good and getting around good, I have continued her life. Am I being selfish to do so?
Dear Debbie,
I am sorry Sweetie is starting to struggle with Sundowners and maybe dementia. It is hard to know when to say goodbye, especially when most of the issues are mental instead of physical. I will attach links to other articles with more information. I am certain you will find answers and the advice you need to help guide you through this difficult process. Bless you and your sweet girl. ♥
1. Dementia in Dogs: When to Euthanize Your Beloved Senior Dog
2. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
3. 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
Thank you for the informative and supportive article. Our 12 year old Bostan Terrier is showing many of the signs of Sundowners. He paces in circles, presses his head against the wall, gets stuck in corners, soils, etc. Thank you for recognized how exhausting it makes the owners. We take turns staying up with him at night (just like having an infant again). It is worth it for our sweet little guy and all the love he gives us but it does decreases our quality of life. We found that giving him coconut oil slowed down some of the pacing and made him less anxious, but may upset his stomach.
Really, just want to say thank you again. Emmett’s parents
Dear Julie,
Thank you for the kind words and positive feedback about the article. I am sorry you are in such a difficult situation with Emmett. I appreciate you being willing to share your story. It is comforting for others to know they are not alone when dealing with this heartbreaking condition. Praying for your strength as you continue down this tough road ahead. Bless you and your sweet pup.
My beagle Checkers is going on 16. Has heart failure and a tumor on her neck. Given her health and age the vet decided not to treat the tumor. She and I have gone through a lot of grief lately. Losing my husband after 60 years of marriage and Checkers’ very best companion and the need to move to a smaller house has taken a toll on both of us. Checkers has started showing signs of dementia. I am torn with the thought of saying goodby to her. She eats well and wakes me up with a wagging tail in the mornings but through the day she sleeps. She doesn’t like me to touch her which breaks my heart. Cataracts have stolen a lot of her vision. My vet has not suggested euthanasia. I just hope she passes in her sleep but I wish there was a way to know when it’s time to say goodby. I love her so much but don’t want her to suffer. Thank you for your time.
Dear Glenda,
My heart goes out to you with all you have endured over the last year. I am sorry you are facing such a difficult decision about Checkers’ wellbeing and future. I think it would be a good idea to talk to your vet and possibly schedule a quality-of-life exam. Because the topic of saying goodbye can be so hard and emotional, many vets try not to bring this up unless specifically asked. If you ask your vet their opinion on Checker’s health and if euthanasia should be considered, I have no doubt they will give you their honest and loving recommendation. I will attach links to other articles with more information on this topic. I hope you can find the answers and advice you need to make a decision with which you can be at peace. Make sure you reach out to others and let them come along beside you during these hard times. No one should have to go through this alone. Praying for your strength and comfort. Feel free to reach out anytime. ♥
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. In-Home Dog Euthanasia: Heartfelt Answers to 12 FAQs
5. Grieving the Loss of a Dog After Euthanasia (& Finding Peace)
My Westie, Happy is 17 years old and is experiencing many of not all the symptoms of sundowners. Your article has been a good help when we go to our vet. Great read!
Hi William,
I am glad you found the article to be helpful. I am hopeful the conversation with your vet will be productive and you can find the right ways to give Happy some peace and rest. Best wishes!
Our 15 year old, German shorthaired pointer/rat terrier mix Bailey has CCD and Sundowners. The symptoms started a year ago with the pacing. She’s had anxiety for the last few years of her life. My mom has worked from home since Covid started so she has separation anxiety. These past few months the pacing has been nonstop. She still loves eating and going outside and on walks. But it seems that is all she is excited for. If my mom gets up to go to the bathroom, she thinks she is getting food. (Or is trying to convince my mom she needs it, she’s only 17 pounds). This past week at night, when my mom goes to bed, Bailey will fight going to sleep. She will pace, walk all over my mom, sit on her face. The vet prescribed trazodone with melatonin, but she still fights that. We are so conflicted because physically, she’s great. She gets fed brain food for snacks. But at night she seems so hopeless, so confused, so lost. It breaks our hearts to see it. She also has had a heart murmur since birth, I believe it’s a grade 4. But the vet has always said she doesn’t let it effect her. If you could offer any advice, I would appreciate it. We recently changed vets due to expenses, but this new vet does all the talking. Doesn’t let us ask questions and if we get the chance to, she doesn’t answer with compassion. This blog (I’ve stayed up late reading it) is such a breath of fresh air with answers that hug our hearts during this difficult time. Thank you for reading
Dear Jaycee,
I am sorry you are going through this difficult season with Bailey. Dementia can be very cruel and dealing with sundowners makes the stress level rise for everyone involved. Evaluating quality of life is never easy, especially when most of the issues are mental instead of physical. It sounds like you are doing just about everything you can to help Bailey feel more comfortable. I will attach links to other articles with more information that might help your decision-making process. Sometimes saying goodbye is the most loving way to release a beloved pup from suffering and offer them peace. I don’t know if your sweet girl is at this point, but I always feel like it is better to let go one day too early rather than one day too late. Prayers for clarity and strength to face each day. Bless you all. ♥
1. Canine Cognitive Dysfunction in Dogs: Signs, Symptoms, Solutions
2. Senior Dog Anxiety at Night? 9 Solutions for Better Sleep
3. Dementia in Dogs: When to Euthanize Your Beloved Senior Dog
4. Using a Quality of Life Scale for Dogs
Thank you for your article. I just put down my 15 and a half Lhasa Apso. you exactly pinpointed all of the sundowner symptoms that unfortunately I had to experience night after night. I had no sleep in the last several months as he cried continuously in bed and got up almost every hour or two and I had to carry him outside where he would pace up and down the backyard sidewalk. I used trazodone but I’m not sure how effective it was. I made the gut-wrenching decision to finally euthanize him he to save him from anymore suffering. But now I’m feeling the guilt of putting him down in the great sadness of missing him.
Dear Daniel,
I am sorry for the loss of your senior pup. Mental disease can be so cruel and often leads us down an emotional rollercoaster as we try to evaluate a beloved dog’s quality of life. I can only imagine how much you miss him, but know you made a loving choice to free him from his struggles. I hope with time your heart will heal and you can let go of the unnecessary burden of guilt you are carrying. May the memories of all the good times you shared stay with you forever and be a source of joy in your life.
I like so many others am so relieved & happy to have come across Dr Buzby’s site!! I’ve got a 13-14 year old ChiWeenie that has Congestive Heart Failure, Gallbladder & Doggie Dementia! I’ve seen a drastic change in the pass month that went from biting me to avoid bed to now glued to me! Wanders the house & is having episodes of panting & shaking! It breaks my heart to see my girl Bella like this & it feels so selfish to do right for her but it’s taking a toll on me in every way! I take her to the Vet in the morning & having the one hard conversation when do I let go? I’m heartbroken reading these comments & again thank you Dr for all you do!! Bella’s Mom, Jackie
Dear Jackie,
I am sorry your senior girl is struggling with the effects of dementia and sundowners. I think it was a good idea to schedule the visit with your vet and get their expert opinion on Bella’s quality of life. Thank you for the positive feedback and kind words about the article. Praying for comfort and peace. Bless you both. ♥
My dog fought the Trazodone too. The TIMING of the medication makes a huge difference. You have to give it to pup BEFORE onset- 4 hours before start of symptoms daily.. I give my dog the meds at 4pm. It also works better adding Gabapentin. Your dog is small so your vet would probably recommend 1 gaba 200mg with the Traz. Very safe med and can fill the RX at CVS.
My dog 14 years old /65lbs and her schedule is 200 mg Traz and 300mg gaba at 4pm, Then 1/2 Traz (50mg) with 600 mg of gaba at 11pm. It was all trial and error and my vet helped a lot.
Thankfully, I have a vet who is pro-medication and very open minded. He gave me courage and didn’t make me fearful. Too many vets are fearful and downplay dosing of medication. They end up under medicating. Small tweaks work!
Thank you so much for your time with this! YES, our little punkin has Sundowners. I saw it happening and suspected it 4mos ago. Didnt know anyone else labeled it as such. Thk you!
So hard to watch not only my mother going thru this, now my best friend!
Hi Kristie,
I am glad the article was able to give you some reassurance. I am sorry you are dealing with such a difficult situation with your mother and now your little pup too. Wishing you all the best.
My 13 year old dog Sadie has recently started pacing more, pacing late at night and looking a little confused and sad, and has small tremors 1-2 times a day. It’s been heartbreaking for my girlfriend and I. In all my research sundowners seems to be the closest thing to what I’m noticing in her. My question is could the small tremors be a symptoms of cds or something else?
Hi Jarred,
I am sorry your senior girl is struggling with sundowners and these worrisome tremors. Without seeing them happen myself or examining your pup, it is hard to make specific conclusions. Canine cognitive dysfunction can cause numerous strange symptoms and could be the underlying cause of the tremor episodes you are describing. With that being said, I always like to rule out other causes, such as seizure activity, before blaming CCD for new issues that pop up. I highly recommend you have Sadie evaluated by your vet. If you can get one of these episodes on video it could be very helpful in the diagnostic process. Hoping you can find some answers and receive good news about your sweet girl’s quality of life.