Does your elderly pet vocalize at night or generally seem more anxious? They may have cognitive dysfunction, a common condition in senior cats and dogs that often goes undiagnosed because owners assume behavior changes are caused by normal aging. Because our Commonwealth Animal Care team knows how devoted you are to your senior pet, we present this guide to cognitive dysfunction. Learn about treatment strategies that can help slow your pet’s disease progression.

What is cognitive dysfunction in pets?

Cognitive dysfunction is an age-related condition similar to Alzheimer’s disease in people. The brain is highly susceptible to oxidative damage from cellular metabolic processes, but antioxidant activity normally counteracts this injury. However, age causes these protective mechanisms to start to deteriorate. Senior pets with cognitive dysfunction have several anatomic and physiologic brain changes, including: 

  • Size — Cognitive dysfunction causes a reduction in an affected pet’s overall brain size.
  • Reduced brain cells — Affected pets have a decreased number of brain cells.
  • Degeneration — The oxidative damage cognitive dysfunction causes leads to the degeneration of the brain’s important structures.
  • Beta-amyloid plaques — Beta-amyloid protein accumulates in the brain, interfering with neuron communication.
  • Neurotransmitter depletion — Neurotransmitters, such as norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine, that help the brain send signals are depleted. 

Cognitive dysfunction is common in pets, affecting 28% of dogs 11 to 12 years of age, and 68% from 15 to 16 years of age. The condition affects 28% of cats 11 to 14 years of age, and 50% of cats 15 years of age or older. 

What are cognitive dysfunction signs in pets?

Veterinarians commonly use the acronym DISHAAL to discuss cognitive dysfunction signs in pets. If your pet has cognitive dysfunction, their signs may include:

  • Disorientation — Affected pets may become lost in familiar places or trapped in corners. They also may stare into space.
  • Interaction changes — Independent pets may become more clingy, while typically social pets may seek solitude.
  • Sleep cycle disturbances — Pets may sleep more during the day, and wander the house or vocalize at night.
  • House soiling — Senior dogs may not signal they need to go outside to relieve themselves, and senior cats may stop using their litter box. 
  • Activity changes — Affected pets may lose interest in playing or going on outings, or they may exhibit restlessness.
  • Anxiety — Increased anxiety is common in cognitive dysfunction, potentially leading to irritability and aggression.
  • Learning and memory changes — Affected pets may not recognize familiar people and may not respond to known commands. 

How is cognitive dysfunction diagnosed in pets?

Our Commonwealth Animal Care team diagnoses cognitive dysfunction by evaluating the signs a pet is exhibiting and ruling out medical conditions. To determine whether your pet has an underlying disease, we may perform the following diagnostic tests:

  • Questionnaire — You know your pet better than anyone and can assess their behavior changes. To better evaluate your pet’s signs, we may ask you to complete a senior pet checklist.
  • Physical examination — We perform a thorough physical examination, assessing your pet’s overall health and neurologic status.
  • Blood work — Our team may recommend blood work, such as a complete blood count (CBC), biochemistry profile, and endocrine tests, to rule out other conditions that may contribute to your pet’s signs.
  • Urinalysis — A urinalysis is another valuable diagnostic tool we use to assess pets’ overall health.

How is cognitive dysfunction treated in pets?

Cognitive dysfunction is incurable, but many strategies can help manage the condition and slow disease progression. Our Commonwealth Animal Care team may provide your pet with the following cognitive dysfunction treatments:

  • Nutritional support — We may recommend a veterinary prescription diet to help manage your pet’s cognitive dysfunction. These diets are high in antioxidants and healthy fatty acids to help promote brain cell health.
  • Supplements — Supplements can be beneficial in some cognitive dysfunction cases. Our team often recommends these supplements:
    • Medium-chain triglycerides — Studies have shown that dogs who receive medium-chain triglycerides demonstrated significantly better cognitive performance than those in the control group. 
    • Phosphatidylserine — Phosphatidylserine is a cell membrane component found in high concentrations in the brain. Supplementation may improve an affected pet’s cognitive dysfunction signs.
    • Apoaequorin — Apoaequorin is a protein that protects the brain, potentially improving a pet’s cognitive performance.
    • S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAMe) — SAMe supplementation increases the body’s neurotransmitter levels, potentially improving awareness and activity levels.
  • Medications — If your pet’s anxiety level is high, our team may prescribe anti-anxiety medications to help manage these signs. In addition, a prescription medication is available to help treat dogs who have cognitive dysfunction. 
  • Enrichment — Providing enrichment is important to stimulate your senior pet’s brain. Schedule daily playtime with your elderly pet, exercise them appropriately, and provide them with interactive toys and food puzzles. 

  • Environmental management — No matter whether they have cognitive dysfunction, aged pets often benefit when their owners make changes around their home to accommodate their elderly pet’s special needs. Your senior pet will benefit from the following environmental management accommodations:
    • To avoid confusing your senior pet, don’t rearrange your furniture.
    • Place litter boxes in easy-to-find locations, providing a box on each of your home’s levels.
    • Provide frequent opportunities for your senior dog to go out to relieve themself, and place puppy pads in areas where they rest to help prevent a mess if they have an accident inside your home. 
    • Place night-lights around the house to help your senior pet navigate in the dark.
    • Establish a schedule for your senior pet and strive to stick to it to prevent your elderly pet from becoming confused.

If your senior pet is exhibiting behavioral changes, contact our Commonwealth Animal Care team so we can rule out a medical condition. If we diagnose your pet as having cognitive dysfunction, our team will devise an appropriate management strategy to address their issues.