Dogs have brains, and brains rot. It’s scary out there for intelligent people.
Looks like your dog just dug up the whole garden looking for a bone they buried just a couple of hours ago. There’s a chance that your dog is just being a dog. But there’s also a chance that it’s more than just a “squirrel brain” moment. Your dog could be suffering from something called as Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD).
Dogs are intelligent creatures. They can understand commands, emotions, smells, energies and a lot of things. Unfortunately, with an intelligent brain comes the chance of developing brain-related medical conditions. As dogs age, their brain functions slow down and just like old age people are prone to Alzheimer’s disease, dogs are also at risk of getting CCD which is a canine equivalent of it.
The brain, in almost all living creatures, is susceptible to oxidative damage because of its high metabolic rate, relative lack of endogenous antioxidant processes and high percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids. It can lead to structural and functional changes in the brain, like reduction of brain mass and the number of neurons. These changes are responsible for cognitive dysfunction in dogs. (2)
What is Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD)?
Canine Cognitive Dysfunction or CCD is a brain-related condition in dogs that affects awareness, learning capability, memory, and responsiveness to stimuli in dogs. It is usually seen in senior dogs.
As dogs age, they start showing signs of cognitive decline, which is normal. But in the case of a CCD case, the symptoms are beyond normal. Affected dogs can face difficulties performing day-to-day tasks. The signs and degree of them can vary from dog to dog. They usually start appearing slowly and become more prevalent as time passes.
It is a common condition in dogs and is found in around 28% of dogs aged between 11-12 years. These numbers could even be an underestimation as a lot of cases are perceived as normal ageing by pet owners. (2)
Signs of Dementia in Dogs (1)
Disorientation – You may see your dog getting lost in familiar surroundings, failing to recognize members of the family, looking at familiar things including their food and water bowls with confusion, etc. Some may even forget where their food and water bowls are usually kept.
Disrupted sleep patterns – You may see changed sleep and wake cycles in your dog, like sleeping more during the day and feeling restless at night.
Increased Anxiety – Because of all the confusion and lost familiarity, the dog may feel more anxious and stressed even during routine things. You may see behaviors like increased vocalization, pacing, etc.
House Soiling: Dogs with CCD often tend to forget about the potty training and have more instances of defecating in inappropriate areas inside the house.
Reduced Interaction: The curiosity levels of your dog may decrease significantly, and you may see a reluctance to explore new areas or meet new people.
Repetitive Behavior: The anxiety and confusion in the dog may also cause them to perform repetitive behaviors like pacing, chasing their tails, running in circles, etc. Such behaviors will be more evident at night times when there is low light and their vision is not as good as it used to be.
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Causes of Canine Dementia in Dogs (3)
Ageing: One of the most common reasons for canine cognitive dysfunction or the equivalent of dementia in dogs, is age. When we say age, it’s basically the oxidation of brain cells and hence, a loss of cognitive ability over time.
Genetic Factors: There aren’t any specific breeds that are more prone to CCD than others, but some breeds, for example, small breeds, are more likely to face it as they live longer than their large counterparts.
Activity levels: Not enough mental stimulation or physical activity can contribute to the risk of cognitive decline
Diseases – Dogs suffering from other diseases like arthritis, liver disease, or kidney disease, are more likely to develop CCD. The ones that have experienced brain trauma or tumor in the past are also more likely to develop CCD.
Nutrition – A lack of good quality, well-rounded nutrition can also contribute to increasing the chances of CCD in dogs as a healthy brain requires 360o nutrition to function.
How to Diagnose Dementia in Dogs?
The diagnosis usually begins with behavior observation followed by clinical examinations using tools such as the canine dementia scale (CADES) questionnaire. Depending on the dog, the vet may recommend other diagnostic tests such as Blood (haematology and biochemistry) and urine (dipstick, SG, culture and UPC) tests to check for other underlying diseases and metabolic causes. (2)
How to treat a Dog with Dementia?
Diet – A good quality high protein diet is essential here to maintain a lean body mass. Ensuring antioxidant-rich food can slow cognitive decline and improve cognitive function. Introducing omega-3 fatty acids supplements can help reduce inflammation and promote cell membrane health.
Mental Stimulation: Keeping the dog’s brain active through puzzle toys, training, and interactive play is very important to slow down the progress of CCD and also improve the overall health of the dog.
Medications – Depending on the severity of CCD and overall health of the dog, your vet may recommend necessary medications to reduce the symptoms of CCD in your dog.
How to support a Dog with Dementia?
If you’ve got a dog diagnosed with CCD or showing one or more of the signs mentioned above, here’s what you can do to make their life as simple as possible – (2)
Keep multiple water bowls around the house and ensure easy access to their food bowls.
Take them for toilet trips more often than before to avoid unwanted accidents in the house.
Avoid disrupting their food, exercise or sleep routine.
Use rugs, yoga mats or similar materials on the floor in case you’ve got a hard and slippery one.
Try new forms of mental stimulation like feeding puzzles.
Try training them for basic commands again keeping their reduced hearing and mobility.
Keep the exercise sessions shorter.
You can even try alternate therapy options like acupuncture, aqua therapy, aroma therapy, etc. to ease their pain.
And lastly and most importantly, be patient and kind to them. Avoid yelling at them, as they must already be more prone to stress and anxiety.
When to Consult Your Veterinarian
Keep looking for the signs of dementia (mentioned above). Some behavioral changes like reduced energy levels or enthusiasm are normal with age, but if you see signs like confusion, increased anxiety, repetitive behaviors, etc. you should consult your vet. It is always better to keep having conversations about the general health of your dog regularly to diagnose any signs of CCD early.
Conclusion
The conclusion here is that dogs, just like humans, have brains, and brains rot. While old age comes with a cognitive slowdown, it can be prevented by building a healthy diet and exercise routine. In the end, the key is to just keep the brain active and the body healthy. And this is applicable not only to dogs, but to you as well.
Now, we understand that certain factors cannot be in your control. You may do everything possible for your canine buddy, but they can yet be affected by certain medical conditions during their lifetime, and some can be severe.
At such times, we would not want you to worry about the costs of treating your dog when you’re already worrying about their health. So, here’s a bit from our side –
Dog Insurance can help provide financial assistance for eligible veterinary care in case of unexpected accidents, illnesses, or injuries. Our plans can help pet parents manage the eligible costs of covered veterinary care and help ensure that their pets can receive the best treatment possible. Here are some ways that Spot pet insurance plans can help:
Covers Unexpected Veterinary Costs: Spot pet insurance plans cover the eligible costs of unexpected veterinary treatments, such as emergency surgeries, X-rays, and prescription medications for covered conditions.
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Peace of Mind: With Spot pet insurance plans, pet parents can know that they can provide the best care for their pet with less worry about the cost.
To learn more about Spot Plans or to get a free quote, click here.
PetMD Editorial. (2024, April 9). 7 Dementia symptoms in dogs. PetMD. https://www.petmd.com/dog/general-health/dementia-symptoms-in-dogs
Marcus, C. (2024, February 26). Canine cognitive dysfunction and its relation to osteoarthritis: common comorbidities in ageing veterinary patients. Veterinary Practice. https://www.veterinary-practice.com/article/canine-cognitive-dysfunction-comorbidities
Brown, D. (2023, October 21). Dementia in Dogs | Symptoms & Treatment | Joii Pet Care. Joii Pet Care. https://www.joiipetcare.com/health-conditions/dog/dementia/
