How to tell if your senior dog has dementia

Also known as Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD), dog dementia is a cognitive disorder that causes similar symptoms to Alzheimer's in humans, according to East Bay Veterinary Clinic.

Clinical signs of dementia are found in about 50% of dogs over the age of 11, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).

The symptoms of dog dementia are extensive, ranging from mild to severe as the disease progresses, vets say. Below are the most common symptoms of dog dementia:

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You might see your dog pacing around the house, forgetting where their food bowls are or getting stuck in a corner, according to experts.

“A classic problem is wandering around and getting lost under the table or something, they just can’t process the information and figure out where they are”, veterinarian Natasha Olby told CNN.

Like humans, dogs with dementia might lose learnt behaviors, the veterinarian told CNN, so that can result in them peeing inside the house, not responding to their names or forgetting tricks.

Confusion and disorientation often lead to anxiety, so it’s no surprise that another classic dog dementia sign is increased anxiety, according to East Bay Veterinary Clinic.

Dementia can impair your dog's circadian rhythm, according to the journal Frontiers in Neuroscience, which can lead to them being restless during the night and wanting to sleep during the day time.

Furthermore, the most recent study in the subject, published in the journal Frontiers in Veterinary Science, shows that dogs with greater dementia spend less time in deep and REM sleep (the phase in which dreams occur), just as people with the same condition do.

Experts also say that there might be changes in their personality. For example, they might become more aggressive, or less playful.

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However, observing these symptoms is not necessarily indicative of dementia, experts warn, as there are other illnesses that can have similar symptoms.

“Just like in people, other health problems such as metabolic disease, urinary tract infections or even brain tumors can mimic classic signs of dementia”, veterinary Olby explained to CNN.

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So if you suspect that your dog may have dementia, experts agree, a trip to your vet is necessary. They can conduct the appropriate diagnostic tests to rule out any other conditions or use an MRI to make a final diagnosis.

While there is no known cure for dog dementia, there are several options to treat this condition in our canine companions. Treatment includes medication, diet changes, life enrichment, supplements, and surgery, according to East Bay Veterinary Clinic.