How to Help a Dog with Dementia

Introduction

Just like an elderly relative an old dog can be diagnosed with dementia. At first, the changes will be subtle,
like appearing disoriented in the house, trying to come in the wrong door when he has been outside, or even
forgetting that he has just eaten and looking for more food. 

Then he may start soiling in the house and have a
reduced level of activity, not wanting to go outside and walk, these are all signs of deteriorating cognition in
a pet.

How to Help a Dog with Dementia

An early sign like changes in sleep patterns could indicate more specific symptoms of sleep dysfunction.
Like aged dementia patients, they may walk around all night and sleep during the day. 

Familiarity is important, so leave him in the laundry or a confined space with his basket, rug, food, and water and he will probably settle down. Sometimes music or white noise can help, in our family, there is a dog who likes to
watch TV all night!

The dog may not be keen to take his regular walks, and that is okay, just shorten them down a bit and don’t
force the issue, if he is an older dog he may have joint pain or other reasons for not exercising associated
with age decline. If any of these things are happening it is time to visit the vet and get a health check for
your dog.

Changes that Indicate Dementia

1. Repetitive movements, like head bobbing.
2. Changes to the sleep cycle.
3. Soiling in the house instead of trying to go outside.
4. Problems with eating or drinking.
5. Not wanting to go for long walks.
6. Disorientation in the house
7. May show aggression to other animals that he once liked.

What to do When You have seen the Vet

Once you have had a diagnosis it is important to keep everything at home much the same, this will avoid
further confusion for your pet.

Keep the food and water where it always was, and don’t introduce any new pets to this house. Some people
think that this is the right time to get a new Puppy, but it actually isn’t as it would only cause stress to a
demented old dog. The vet may have recommended a dietary supplement, and if this is the case give it to the
dog every day with food.

If the dog is having trouble with soiling in the house, confine him during the night, and this way he can’t
roam around and keep soiling everywhere.
During the day keep the door open and encourage him to go out regularly.

When you go out walking don’t go too far from home, just like an old person the dog will not want to walk
for miles and probably won’t want to chase a ball anymore, just go for short walks and then let him rest in
his basket for a while. Be careful, as another sign of dementia is losing his sense of danger in the traffic so
you may need to keep him on a leash to prevent accidents.

Make sure that your dog is eating and drinking, fluid intake is very important, especially in the hot weather.
If he is not eating that is a more specific problem that must be discussed with the vet.

Keep small children away from the dog, as dementia can cause a dog to become snappy, and a once gentle
dog may become aggressive and bite the child, especially if his tail is pulled or he is constantly touched. The
once sociable and friendly dog can totally change with age. One of the signs of dementia is altered
interactions with people they have known all their life. it is often hard to accept, and for those of us who
have had a dog for many years these symptoms are an indication that his life is nearing an end, and sadly we
have to prepare for the inevitable.

Working out how to Help a Dog with Dementia

Now that you have found that your dog has (CCD) Canine Cognitive Dysfunction it is a bit like Alzheimer’s
in humans, and like this disorder, it will change the dog’s behavior. This condition occurs in about 15% of
older dogs and it is best to manage it conservatively. Usually, a dog diagnosed with dementia will only live
for about two years. When you are at the vet and establishing a diagnosis it is important to rule out other
causes. Have his teeth thoroughly checked, and if you can, get the teeth cleaned, as it is important that he
eats well and remains well nourished. 

Ask your vet for a blood test, as it is important to rule out any parasitic
infection. The vet may prescribe Anipryl (selegiline hydrochloride), or Zoetis, which is a drug used to
control clinical signs of dementia in dogs, and depending on the stage your dog is at, the effects can vary.
Many dogs show strong improvement especially those in early-stage dementia. Starting a therapeutic
treatment early can help your dog to continue to function normally for longer.

Remember a dog with dementia will no longer be able to learn, so don’t stress him by trying to teach him
anything new. You have to become prepared for the fact that he may even forget you in the end. The same as
a person, it is important that he lives out his life in comfort with his family around him for as long as
possible. End of life decisions are very hard to make, and while your dog is eating and content you should be able to keep him with you. (Source) 

 

Conclusion

Your dog may develop more serious issues, like barking for no reason and barking all night. This could
mean that he does not recognize anyone and has become generally confused. If the barking happens you
would need to ask the vet what to do to calm him, as you must be prepared for any eventuality that may
arise. If he does not respond to your voice and keeps barking get him checked for hearing loss at the vet. The
vet may suggest medication to calm him at night, and you will want him to sleep so that you can too.