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Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome in Pets

Does My Senior Pet Have Dementia?

cognitive dysfunction syndrome in senior pets

Photo: City of Richmond Animal Shelter in Richmond, BC

The following was originally published on the Petfinder Blog.

By Jane Harrell, Petfinder.com associate producer

Did you know that pets, like people, can suffer mental decline as they age? And this decline is not considered a normal part of aging.

Studies have found signs of cognitive impairment in 28% of dogs ages 11-12 and 68% of dogs 15-16, and in 28% of cats ages 11-14 and 50% of cats 15 and older. (See an overview of this research on the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine website.)

What is cognitive dysfunction syndrome?
Maybe your senior dog suddenly seems confused during his daily walks, or your cat begins having accidents around the house. Perhaps your pet has developed a sudden fear of thunderstorms even though he's always been okay with them before.

These all may be signs of cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS) and merit a trip to the vet.

According to the American Animal Hospital Association's HealthyPet.com, CDS is "a degeneration of the brain and the nervous system in dogs, roughly comparable to Alzheimer's disease in people."

Does CDS affect both dogs and cats?
CDS in dogs is better-documented than in cats, but "the few studies do indicate that cats develop behavior changes as they get old," Melissa Bain, DVM, writes in "Cognitive Dysfunction in Older Cats" on BestFriends.org.

Research indicates "that affected cats show changes similar to dogs with cognitive dysfunction and people with Alzheimer's disease," Dr. Bain writes. "Excessive amounts of a specific type of protein are deposited in the brain, which impairs its ability to function as effectively."