Some behaviors such as lack of sleep at night, increased anxiety, getting stuck behind the door, forgetfulness, etc., in your dog could signify the possibility of Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD) or dementia.
Dogs with dementia suffer from the general loss of direction. For instance, the dog may:
1. Remain confused most of the time
2. Fail to recall previously learned tasks
Another symptom of dementia in dogs is the change in the way the dog interacts. For instance, the dog may:
1. Portray high withdrawal effects
2. Tolerate lonely life
The dog may:
1. Remain asleep most of the time during the day and stay awake at night
2. Show uncommon nighttime behaviors like wandering and motor restlessness
Dementia may cause changes in the dog’s activity like changes in appetite, playfulness, wandering, and repetitive behaviors like defecating in the house.
Unfortunately, the primary cause of dementia in dogs remains unknown. However, the condition may result from chemical and physical changes in the brain as the dog ages
While there is no treatment for dementia in dogs, there are various management options that can help you slow the advancement of the cognitive dysfunction and boost longevity.