Dementia affects many people, but did you know that our pets can suffer from something similar. Pets cannot get dementia the way humans do, but they can suffer from Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS) which is very similar to dementia in humans.

CDS is more common in ageing pets. It causes behaviour changes and problems with memory, confusion, anxiety and disorientation. There are many factors that cause CDS in pets, but it is mostly associated with the build-up of certain proteins in the brain, and poor blood flow.

It can be quite difficult to recognize symptoms of CDS in our furry friends. While there is no cure for CDS, progress has been made in research resulting in medications that might help reduce some of the symptoms and can slow the progression of the illness, so it is worth discussing with your vet if you think your pet may be showing symptoms.

There is a lot you can do as an owner to manage the condition and keep your ageing pet as healthy and happy as possible with a good quality of life.

What signs to look for:

• Changes in appetite: loss of or increase in appetite.
• Loss of toilet training: having accidents indoors or wanting to go out to toilet at unusual times.
• Sleep disturbances: sleeping more during the day and being awake at night.
• Confusion and disorientation: getting lost in familiar places, staring blankly, walking into things, or repeatedly asking to go out.
• Changes in themselves: becoming withdrawn, clingy, needy, irritable, or aggressive, no longer recognising other family members or pets, seeming depressed or anxious.
• Memory loss: no longer responding to familiar commands or forgetting how to do things they had previously learnt.
• Changes in activity: pacing, obsessive licking, lack of desire to play, and less enthusiastic about going out.
• Changes in noise levels: more vocal than usual and howling, barking, whining or meowing more often.

What to do if you think your pet has CDS

CDS cannot be cured but medication may help reduce some of the symptoms. A vet consultation will be necessary for a full diagnosis as well as advice on managing this condition. Your vet will be able to recommend a management plan and lifestyle adjustments that can help. In addition to medication, your vet may prescribe supplements or suggest dietary changes. Early detection is helpful in trying to control the symptoms and working toward a better outcome for your pet.

Some advice on helping your pet with CDS

• Keep their surroundings as familiar as possible – try not to move furniture around.
• Don’t get angry with your pet if they get confused and have an accident.
• Create environmental cues, e.g. keep a radio on in a room they like, to help them find their way.
• Keep family member interactions positive, even if your pet seems to have forgotten who they are.
• If they can manage it – provide lots of training, puzzles, and games to keep their brain active.
• Gently retrain toileting habits or other things they may have forgotten, like where the water bowl is.

Sometimes CDS might be very advanced and affecting your pet’s quality of life significantly. In those situations, it can be the kindest option to let your pet go. If you are concerned about your pet’s quality of life, please speak to your vet. You can also look at our article The Final Decision about when it is time to say goodbye.