We are all of the nature to get sick, grow old and die. Whilst many of us try to ignore this, we cannot escape it. What we can do, is to give peace and kindness to others. We can then hope that one day others will do the same for us. Our dogs are always there for us so we too can be there for them if and when they get dog dementia.
Can We Reduce the Risk of Dog Dementia?
Just like for people, dog dementia is when our furry friends lose their ability to think and remember. You might also see changes in character and emotional swings.
As this paper on what dementia explains, dementia happens when our nerve cells, or neurons, stop firing and connecting properly. It’s the same for people and dogs. Similarly for both, we don’t know why this happens apart from perhaps just the natural wear and tear of the brain.
What makes cognitive dysfunction in dogs so difficult for their guardians is that there is no definitive way to diagnose it. Moreover, there is no treatment. It therefore becomes a lifestyle to adopt as we’ll explore in the next section.
As you can see from this paper on the physical signs of cognitive dysfunction in dogs, the signs of dog dementia can appear at any time from the age of around 10 years old. You might notice changes in sleep patterns, suddenly soiling the house, disorientation and different behaviours when interacting with owners and other known dogs.
Nevertheless, lifestyle does seem to have an impact on all of us and can potentially keep dementia away.
- Exercise. Regular exercise almost goes without saying but try to mix things up as well. You can alternate a smelling walk with a walking walk. You can even try different walks with new smells to keep your dog’s brain active.
- Balanced diet. Whether you choose home-cooked, raw or ready-made canned food, your dog needs the right balance of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. Choosing the right food for your dog will be a whole other blog in the near future.
- Supplements. As we explained in our previous blog on taking care of senior dogs, regular check-ups are critical. You might also consider giving them brain supplements including antioxidants such as omega 3 and vitamin E. Vitamin B6, 9 and 12 as well as magnesium can also help.
Expert Tips for Managing Canine Senility
Whilst there is no canine dementia treatment, you can approach managing dog dementia in the same way you might approach caring for someone with dementia.
Having said that, there are certain medications that can help reduce the symptoms. For example, selegilene protects nerve cells and increases dopamine. You also have karsivan which seems to support nerve cells and reduces inflammation. Either way though, talk to your vet about the options.
In terms of managing this new reality, the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners talks about the Four R’s of Dementia Care: Reassure, Routine, Reminisce, and Redirect.
1- Reassure
- Physical comfort. This is especially important when they get stuck in corners or simply look confused.
- Massage. With canine senility comes stress. With canine senility comes stress. So, a massage is a great way to help them relax. At the same time, your physical closeness gives automatic reassurance and emotional support.
- Affection and positive reinforcement. We all have busy lives but it’s important to manage our own emotions and to not tell them off when they do something wrong but to focus on the positives with even more affection than normal.
- Safe environment. Make sure you don’t rearrange the furniture and some dogs might benefit from having extra cushions or even yoga mats spread across the floor if you have a hard slippery floor.
2- Routine
- Consistency. A good, stable routine helps provide a safe structure and provides a calm environment.
- Flexibility. Nevertheless, it’s important to remember that dog dementia might need a flexible routine. Your dog might take longer to do something or walk somewhere so make sure you can be patient.
- Gentle exercises. Dog dementia comes on a range from mild to severe so a severely affected dog might not be very stable on their feet. It’s ok to slow things down and let them guide you in terms of what they’re capable of.
3- Reminisce
- Quality time together. We might not be able to spend time reviewing old photos with our dogs but we can find games or quiet times to sit with them and simply enjoy each other’s company. The aim is to make sure they don’t feel alone and lost.
- Brain exercises. As this page on dog dementia help and support explains, the aim is not to challenge your dog but to give them something different to do. You can create sniffing games or give them a kong stuffed with food for them to play with.
- Music. There has been a lot of research on the impact of music on dog’s behaviours and the right music can also calm some of the effects of dog dementia. As explained by PetMD, music can also tone down the harsher, anxiety-triggering sounds that often come with living in a house.
4- Redirect
- Favourite toys. Whether it’s a toy or a treat, you can try to see if it can help your dog if they’re becoming agitated or if they’re stuck in a corner.
- Patience and calm. The hardest part to manage is sometimes our own patience and calm, depending on what’s going on in our lives. Make sure you also get friends, family and experts to support you.
- Safe den area. A safe space for your dog can also give them a refuge from whatever reality their dementia is creating.
Final Thoughts on Managing Dog Dementia
Getting old isn’t fun especially when there is no specific canine dementia treatment but we can make things easier for our dogs with patience and calm. Sometimes it helps to remember that it will be our turn one day.
Moreover, even with dementia, no matter how severe, our dogs are still unique individuals and are still capable of so much that we don’t fully understand. Give them love, attention and care and they must just surprise you.
