Recognizing and Managing Dog Dementia

Other Considerations

Not every sign of DISH indicates dog dementia. Other medical conditions prevalent in geriatric dogs can manifest in a similar way. Older dogs often have impaired vision and hearing, for example, which can lead to confusion and diminished interaction with the family. Senior dog issues, such as diabetes mellitus, Cushing's disease, kidney disease and incontinence, can all lead to urination in the house. A physical exam, blood pressure measurement, urinalysis, blood tests, and a thorough medical history will help your vet rule out health problems with similar symptoms to CCD.

No matter how he changes, no decline in your dog's abilities should impair your human-animal bond. Being aware of aging problems will enable everyone to make adjustments to include your dog in activities and make him feel loved. If your vet has ruled out other problems and determined behavioral changes to be consistent with canine cognitive dysfunction, there are steps you can take to make your dog's (and your) life easier.

Sundowning Safety

Dogs and people with dementia often suffer from disturbances in their sleep-wake cycles. Those affected by "sundowning" sleep more during the day and remain awake, disoriented, and agitated throughout the night. Human patients with cognitive impairment become easily confused and are prone to becoming lost, while a dog with dementia may pace or wander out of the yard. These circumstances account for why people and pets with dementia must not be left unattended, especially in unfamiliar places. Dog parents must take extra precautions to ensure that their pet always has proper identification and is not able to accidentally escape from the home or property.

Dealing with Puddles

Loss of house training habits can be stressful for both a dog and the human members of the household. You can move his toys and bed and set up gates to limit him to non-carpeted areas of the home that are easier to clean and leave paper or pee pads on the floor to catch urine. Diapers and belly bands also work well to mitigate accidents, as long as the dog is comfortable wearing them and you have time to change them frequently.

Taking a dog outside more often will also help to minimize accidents. Whatever you do, try not to scold him for making a mess inside the house. The aging process can be as confusing and scary for him as it is for you. It may require creativity, teamwork, and schedule flexibility, but your family can work together to overcome the challenge of an older dog who is no longer housebroken.

CCD Therapy

In addition to cleaning up accidents in the house, disrupted sleep is another frustrating and difficult adjustment with a dog suffering from dementia. Dogs not only pace during the night, but can often howl or bark in confusion. Talk to your vet about medications and strategies that can help your dog feel less agitated and sleep better.

Other strategies for managing canine cognitive dysfunction include environmental enrichment and nutritional support. Encourage your dog to play interactive games like puzzle toys or food-dispensing balls. Exercise helps ward off sleep during the day and also provides mental stimulation. Well-balanced meals with high levels of omega-3 fatty acids may help protect brain cells against the damaging effects of aging. Talk to your vet about potential therapeutic dog foods that can help support his cognitive function.

Along with prescription dog foods, your vet may recommend one of several medications to help minimize the symptoms of dog dementia. You can discuss the use and potential side effects of these drugs to see if they are right for your pup.

Canine Cognitive Disorder is a complex disease with no single solution. But with patience, compassion and care, you can learn how to overcome the hurdles of dog dementia and provide your beloved companion with a good quality of life throughout his senior years.