Last Updated: 07/05/2025
Dog Dementia
Have you noticed some changes in your dog as they get older? Take a read through the symptoms causes and treatment of dementia in dogs.
Author: Dr Gillian Hill BVSc (Hons)
Reading Time: 19 minutes - medium read
Last Updated: 07/05/2025
Have you noticed some changes in your dog as they get older? Take a read through the symptoms causes and treatment of dementia in dogs.
Author: Dr Gillian Hill BVSc (Hons)
Reading Time: 19 minutes - medium read
Did you know that dogs can experience similar neurological changes in their later life as humans can? While in human medicine, these changes may be known as Alzheimers, dementia or senility, in veterinary medicine, this is referred to as Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome.
Contents:
Dementia, or cognitive dysfunction, affects the brain, and is commonly associated with one or more of the following behavioural changes:
Disorientation
Changes in social interaction with humans and other pets
Changes in the sleep-wake cycle
House soiling
Changes in activity levels - either increased activity, such as pacing and aimless wandering, or decreased activity
Anxiety
Vocalisation
Cognitive dysfunction is caused by age-related changes to the brain, including oxidative damage, reduced brain mass, accumulation of beta-amyloid protein (a substance toxic to the brain tissue), reduced blood flow to the brain and dysfunctional neurons (nerve cells).
In dogs, it has been shown that 28% of dogs will show some signs consistent with cognitive dysfunction by 11-12 years of age, and 68% by 15-16 years of age.
While it can be tempting to conclude that behavioural changes in our dogs are simply due to ageing, it is important to have your dog checked out by your veterinarian, to determine whether cognitive dysfunction may be contributing to the changes. Cognitive dysfunction is a diagnosis of exclusion, which means that other possible medical causes of these changes, such as hormonal diseases, arthritis, dental disease, high blood pressure (often as a result of kidney disease), cancer and diminishing sensory capacities (predominantly vision and hearing loss) should be ruled out first. If your veterinarian does diagnose cognitive dysfunction in your dog, they may prescribe some specific medications to help reduce the decline.
In addition, there are other strategies you can implement to help:
Modifying your dog's environment can help to meet their needs and enhance their comfort.
You canât teach an old dog new tricks⦠or can you? Positive reinforcement training and environmental enrichment can provide enormous benefits to older dogs - and you definitely can teach them new tricks! It has been shown that enrichment of a dog's life through regular positive reinforcement training (half an hour per day), weekly rotation of play toys, social interaction and regular physical activity (at least two 20 minute outdoor walks each week) can slow cognitive decline. When combined with dietary supplementation with antioxidants, the results were even better! So get out those toys and treats and start playing and training!
Dietary supplements may help to support cognitive function and reduce age-related cognitive decline with specific ingredients like essential fatty acids, antioxidants and medium-chain triglycerides. Essential fatty acid and antioxidants help to support brain function and reduce the oxidative injury to the brain. With increasing age, the ability of the brain to metabolise glucose as an energy source diminishes, and other energy sources may be required. Dietary medium chain triglycerides can provide this alternate energy requirement and have been shown in dogs to improve performance on cognitive tasks and reduce beta-amyloid deposits.
With the inclusion of essential fatty acids, MCTS and antioxidants, these senior lifestage diets help to support your dog's brain function as they age.
Age-related behavioural changes can not only be upsetting for us humans, but they can also be distressing for your pet. Anti-anxiety products can be extremely helpful for dogs and cats experiencing mild anxiety. For those with more severe anxiety, or trouble settling, your regular vet may be able to prescribe some medication to help your pet to settle.
Our Vet Squad frequently recommend the following products to aid in reducing anxiety in dogs.
The Adaptil Diffuser continuously releases dog appeasing pheromone into your dog's environment to help promote feelings of calm and well-being.
The Thundershirt applies constant, gentle pressure which helps to reduce anxiety and promote feelings of relaxation.
Containing a natural product derived from casein, Zylkene can help to reduce anxiety related to any stressful situation.
PAW Blackmoreâs Complete Calm Chews are formulated with tryptophan, B vitamins and a blend of multivitamins and nutrients to support the general health and nervous function of dogs.
Rest assured that though dementia in dogs is not curable, there are lots of strategies you can implement to reduce cognitive decline and support your best mate as they age.
Want to know more? Check out our Discover Page for more tips from our Vet Squad on keeping your pets happy and healthy.
