Cognitive Dysfunction in Dogs: What It Is and How to Treat It

Did you know that cognitive dysfunction in dogs is the number one disease in pets over the age of eight? It can be challenging to recognize and treat, but it’s essential to do so if you want your furry friend to live a long and healthy life. Do you know what cognitive dysfunction (brain aging) is? In this blog post, we will discuss what canine cognitive dysfunction is and recognize and treat it.

Showing signs of canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome

Spot is getting on in years and his muzzle is turning gray. He doesn’t chase the ball as much as he used to, preferring to nap on the couch instead.

But those aren’t all the changes he’s going through. Spot sleeps a lot more during the day. Then, at 3 a.m., he nudges you awake to let him outside for a potty session. You hear him pacing in your dark bedroom all night long. When he’s not wandering, he stands in the corner of the room, staring blankly at the walls.

What’s going on with Spot? He’s showing signs of brain aging.

As with humans, age can affect dogs. But also like people, some dogs can remain sharp well into their golden years.The symptoms of brain aging, or cognitive dysfunction, are summarized by the acronym DISH: Disorientation; Interaction changes; Sleep or activity changes; and forgetting Housetraining, according to the New York Times.

CCD, also known as cognitive impairment or cognitive function decline, is a common problem in aging dogs. As dogs age, their brains naturally begin to change and they may start to experience problems with memory, learning, understanding commands, and reasoning. This can lead to changes in animal behavior such as becoming more irritable or anxious, getting lost or confused in familiar surroundings, having trouble adapting to new situations, and experiencing changes in sleep habits. It affects the central nervous system in dogs.

How to recognize the cognitive decline in dogs: Feline brain aging

A disoriented dog may not recognize familiar people and places. He may appear lost, even in familiar places. The dog may not be as alert and exhibit aimless behavior. Canines suffering from cognitive dysfunction lose interest in affection and may even stop greeting family members. Sleep patterns change with cognitive dysfunction; your dog may doze during the day only to meander at night. Senior dogs may forget their housetraining and stop asking to go out. They may lose control of their bladder or bowels. One of the most common health problems in senior dogs is mild cognitive impairment, which can lead to more serious conditions such as Dog Dementia.

Symptoms & risk factors

Of course, other maladies can cause these symptoms. Arthritis, failed hearing, vision or changes in the environment can change a dog’s behavior. Thyroid, kidney or adrenal gland disease can also make a dog act like he is experiencing cognitive decline, according to the New York Times. Pet parents should consult with veterinarians when they first notice these symptoms. Canine brain aging is so similar to humans developing Alzheimer’s that the National Institutes of Health supported a 2-year study held at the University of Toronto and University of California, Irvine.

The research concluded that oxidative stress contributes to cognitive aging, according to DOG Watch, a newsletter for the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. Harmful chemicals produced by the body, called free radicals, damage brain neurons, causing learning and memory problems. Researchers found a diet enriched with antioxidants improved an aging dog’s ability to learn and remember, according to DOG Watch. Antioxidants are nutrients and other food additives such as vitamins E and C.

Canine cognitive dysfunction: Veterinary care

Early recognition is key, so if you notice any behavioral changes in your dog, be sure to have them checked out by a veterinarian. Your veterinarian will likely complete a complete blood count (CBC) as well as cognitive functions tests to determine if your dog is suffering from cognitive dysfunction.

There are a few different ways to diagnose cognitive dysfunction syndrome. Diagnostic tests: Blood tests can check for levels of certain proteins in the cerebral cortex. Another is a behavioral questionnaire that measures things like how well your dog navigates their environment and whether they have changes in sleeping habits or social interactions.

Dietary supplements to mitigate age-related changes

Dogs used in the study ate standard dog food plus an antioxidant blend of tomatoes, carrot granules, citrus pulp, spinach flakes, lipoic acid, carnitine, and vitamins C and vitamin e. Anthocyanins, the plant pigments found in certain berries, also show promise in slowing cognitive aging. The reishi mushroom is also known to protect cells against free radicals, improve memory, learning ability and delay brain aging. You should consult your veterinarian and follow veterinary advice before supplementing your dog’s diet on your own, DOG Watch advised.

What to look for senior dog and how to help

Other steps you can take are feeding your dog a healthy balanced diet and dietary therapy providing regular physical exercise and mental stimulation (all these can be achieved by going for long walks and providing him with healthy snacks). You can also try feeding them a diet high in medium chain triglycerides. So don’t think about it twice, go get your best-looking leash and start running with your dog. There is no cure for cognitive dysfunction, but a prescription drug and essential fatty acids can help many dogs with brain aging think more clearly, according to Healthy pet. If you’re not sure if your dog is at an age where you’d need to start worrying about their brain health, try putting their age into a dog age calculator. They may be older than you think!