When your head doesn't want to anymore
Dusseldorf. The coat becomes grayer and mobility decreases: as many dogs get older, they experience physical changes. However, it is far less known that the mental abilities of senior dogs can also decline. Everything is possible, from mild sleep disorders to disorientation to senile dementia. Owners should pay attention to the signs and, above all, prevent them early on in order to make life easier for their four-legged friend later on.
Dr. As a psychologist and biologist, Sandra Foltin works a lot with the psyche of dogs and published the book “Black Dog” on depression and other mental illnesses in four-legged friends in 2023. However, age-related mental disorders have hardly been researched so far, so the diagnosis is made less often and owners know little about it. “Just as we humans are getting older due to our better medical care, the same applies to our dogs. The problem is: The biological system of dogs is not yet designed for them to reach such an old age. Depending on the breed, we are currently talking about a life expectancy of ten to 15 years – but more and more dogs are also living to 18 or 20 years old. Unfortunately, the likelihood of dementia increases with increasing age.”
Similar to senile dementia and Alzheimer's disease in humans
An American study from 2023 highlights Dr. Foltin highlighted as important. This examined human Alzheimer's and cognitive decline in dogs (canine cognitive decline, CCD) compared under a One Health approach – this means that joint research in both fields can also be expected to make progress in the treatment of both species. According to the study, CCD was diagnosed in 28 percent of dogs between the ages of eleven and twelve and even in 68 percent of dogs between the ages of 15 and 16. “A typical sign of this is when the dog suddenly stands in front of a wall and can no longer find the door . He seems disoriented and confused. As the mental disorder progresses, this confusion lasts longer and longer, so the animal may have difficulty finding an exit after lying under a table or chair. In addition, there is a change in the sleep-wake rhythm because the dog no longer or rarely goes into deep sleep phases. “Then he’s always out and about at night, but he can’t catch up on all his sleep during the day,” says the expert. “Older dogs can also become more anxious, which can then result in aggressive behavior. This is sometimes accompanied by a loss of vision and hearing, which means that sudden movements and noises can startle people more quickly.”
If symptoms persist, seek support
It has long been known in veterinary medicine that older dogs can suffer from the above-mentioned sleep problems. However, owners should not simply label this as “He’s getting old,” but should instead consult their veterinarian if symptoms become more frequent. If symptoms persist or become more severe, it could be cognitive dysfunction such as dementia. If you would like to get a second opinion, you can consult a veterinarian who specializes in behavioral medicine. An overview can be found at the Society for Animal Behavioral Medicine and Therapy (GTVMT).
Prevent and promote
If a dog shows signs of confusion on a regular basis or has problems finding its way around the home, owners should take this into account. It helps if little changes in the animal's familiar environment and its retreats and food bowls are available in the usual places.
Prevention should also begin with a young dog, advises Dr. Foltin: “Here, too, people and dogs are relatively similar. The following applies to both: Those who are mentally challenged at a young and adult age tend to suffer less frequently or at least milder forms of dementia as they get older.” Owners should therefore constantly challenge their dogs with search games or small exercises, for example – and continue to do so as they get older . “Some people have a thought like: 'At his age, I'll let him be in peace now,'” says the expert. “But that’s not good. Instead, continue to challenge and encourage and adapt the exercises, i.e. make them slower or simpler. Whatever the dog can do, he should do.”
It is also important to note that reduced activity can quickly reduce social contacts. This can also increase anxiety or depression in senior dogs. Even if it's no longer possible to go on walks together, sniff or play actively for so long at a time, dogs should always have the opportunity to do so – as well as attention and affection in the form of petting or contact with other dogs.
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