{"id":118227,"date":"2024-03-26T07:10:08","date_gmt":"2024-03-26T11:10:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/?p=118227"},"modified":"2025-05-06T19:15:15","modified_gmt":"2025-05-06T23:15:15","slug":"can-dogs-get-dementia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/can-dogs-get-dementia\/","title":{"rendered":"Can Dogs Get Dementia?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Can dogs get dementia? Sadly, yes, they can.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The worst part of owning a pet is knowing they won\u2019t live nearly <a href=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/how-long-do-dogs-live\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">long enough<\/a>. As our pets age, they can develop many of the same age-related conditions as humans.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Watching your dog age is challenging. You may notice the fur around your dog\u2019s eyes and muzzle turning gray.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your dog has likely started to slow down, and I\u2019m sure you\u2019ve noticed signs that your pet\u2019s senses aren\u2019t as sharp as they used to be.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your dog seems to be losing his ability to perform regular tasks, getting confused in familiar environments, or can\u2019t seem to recognize people and animals that he should, it is time to consult your veterinarian.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC6943310\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Canine Cognitive Dysfunction<\/a> is a condition similar to Alzheimer\u2019s in humans. This disorder causes behavior changes and can negatively impact your dog\u2019s memory and comprehension.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After age 15, your dog\u2019s risk of getting dimension increases by 50% each year.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The cause of dementia in dogs is unknown. Experts do know that brain injuries, tumors, and genetics all play a part in your dog\u2019s likelihood of contracting this disease.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong>Can Dogs Get Dementia?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-89733 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Dementia-in-Dogs.jpg\" alt=\"Dementia in Dogs\" width=\"1021\" height=\"580\" srcset=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Dementia-in-Dogs.jpg 1021w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Dementia-in-Dogs-600x341.jpg 600w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Dementia-in-Dogs-300x170.jpg 300w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Dementia-in-Dogs-768x436.jpg 768w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Dementia-in-Dogs-739x420.jpg 739w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Dementia-in-Dogs-640x364.jpg 640w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Dementia-in-Dogs-681x387.jpg 681w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1021px) 100vw, 1021px\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><b>What to watch for<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Veterinarians have devised a handy acronym that all pet owners should remember when looking for signs of dementia in dogs: <strong>DISHA.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>D<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">isorientation<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>I<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">nteraction changes<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>S<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">leep cycle disruptions<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>H<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ouse soiling<\/span><\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\"><b>A<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ctivity level changes<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your dog seems lost or confused by his surroundings, he is likely <\/span><b>disoriented<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. One common behavior seen in dogs with dementia is getting stuck in corners without finding a way out.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other <a href=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/signs-of-aging-in-senior-dogs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">signs of disorientation<\/a> in dogs include staring at walls, not recognizing familiar people or pets, and having trouble navigating their environment.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Interaction changes<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are changes in your dog\u2019s mood. If your dog is usually easygoing, snuggly, and social, and now he\u2019s beginning to get irritated easily and act antisocial, it\u2019s a good sign that something is wrong.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Sleep cycle disruptions <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">are pretty self-explanatory. If you notice your pet\u2019s regular <a href=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/why-do-dogs-sleep-so-much\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">sleeping routine<\/a> has changed, keep a close eye on him.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your dog used to sleep soundly at night but now paces the floor more than he sleeps, something is wrong.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sometimes, dogs with dementia will swap their regular sleeping schedule. Instead of sleeping through the night, he\u2019ll be awake more at night and sleep throughout the day.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Again, <\/span><b>house soiling<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is self-explanatory. You may notice your dog stops letting you know when he needs to go out and starts using the <a href=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/how-to-housebreak-a-puppy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">bathroom inside<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another sign of dementia is that your dog goes to the bathroom in strange places around your house, like closets, corners, or furniture.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A <\/span><b>change in activity level<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> could be an indicator that your dog is suffering from dementia. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Your pet may seem less interested in the activities that he used to enjoy, other pets or people, or even less interested in unusual sights or sounds.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em><strong>MORE: <a href=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/dog-dementia-diet\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Dog Dementia Diet &#8211; Nutrition for Dogs with Dementia<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-89453\" src=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Dog-dementia-stages-featured-mage.jpg\" alt=\"dementia in dogs\" width=\"1021\" height=\"580\" srcset=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Dog-dementia-stages-featured-mage.jpg 1021w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Dog-dementia-stages-featured-mage-600x341.jpg 600w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Dog-dementia-stages-featured-mage-300x170.jpg 300w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Dog-dementia-stages-featured-mage-768x436.jpg 768w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Dog-dementia-stages-featured-mage-739x420.jpg 739w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Dog-dementia-stages-featured-mage-640x364.jpg 640w, https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/Dog-dementia-stages-featured-mage-681x387.jpg 681w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1021px) 100vw, 1021px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many of these symptoms are associated with the aging process, making it difficult to spot the early signs of canine dementia.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These symptoms can also be caused by other health conditions, such as cancer, kidney disease, or liver disease. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For this reason, if you notice any of these symptoms, it\u2019s best to consult your veterinarian for testing.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Treatment for canine dementia<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While there is no cure, there are some things you can do to make your pet's life easier when it has dementia.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vet.cornell.edu\/departments\/riney-canine-health-center\/canine-health-information\/senior-dog-dementia#:~:text=Your%20veterinarian%20may%20suggest%20the,six%20weeks%20before%20showing%20changes.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">medications available<\/a> that may slow the progression of canine dementia. Your veterinarian may also recommend a change in diet or adding supplements to your pet\u2019s current diet.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Establishing and maintaining a regular routine can also help your pet cope with this condition. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Increasing your pet\u2019s exercise and providing more mental stimulation can also help slow the progression of canine dementia.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The prognosis for a dog with dementia is different for every dog. This is a disease that progresses differently in every case.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Make no mistake; it is a degenerative disease, which means it will get worse. For some dogs, this happens more quickly than for others.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Working closely with your veterinarian is the best way to ensure your dog stays healthy and happy for as long as possible.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em><strong>READ NEXT: <a href=\"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/dog-dementia-breeds\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Dog Dementia Breeds &#8211; Are Some Breeds Prone to Dementia?<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Can dogs get dementia? Sadly, yes, they can. The worst part of owning a pet is knowing that they won\u2019t live nearly long enough. As our pets age, they can develop many of the same age-related conditions as humans. Watching your dog age is challenging. You may notice the fur around your dog\u2019s eyes and muzzle turning gray.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":118228,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"video","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[659,4164,520,112],"tags":[2904,2901,2112,407,840,140],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/118227"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=118227"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/118227\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":118272,"href":"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/118227\/revisions\/118272"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/118228"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=118227"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=118227"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/topdogtips.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=118227"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}