My dog, Flapjack, turns 12 this month. The old man still has the spark of a young pup, but over the last several years, I have noticed some subtle changes in both his physical appearance and his behavior. His muzzle is gray, his eyes are a little cloudier. His back legs seem weaker. But mostly, I notice a difference in his sleep patterns, his bathroom schedule and his propensity for getting agitated at seemingly invisible things.

Because I am a responsible pet parent, my first thought was to get Flapjack examined at the vet to make sure that he is ok and that I am doing everything I can to support good health in his old age. What I thought were just the quirks of being a grumpy old man turned out to be something more: canine cognitive dysfunction. In simpler terms, my dog is getting senile.

Canine cognitive dysfunction affects about a third of all 11-year-old dogs, and by age 16, 100% of all dogs are affected. Changes related to canine senility include: confusion, wandering, staring into space, separation anxiety, panting, loss of house breaking, drooling, disorientation and more. Why does age bring on these symptoms? Researchers have found that affected dogs have deposits of protein in their brains very similar to the protein deposition found in human Alzheimer’s patients.
 
There are a few things you can try to help out your aging dog if he or she is showing signs of senility. Medications, herbals, dietary changes and modification of the environment can all help. A medication called Anipryl prolongs the activity of dopamine and helps scavenge free radicals in the brain.  Antioxidants and essential fatty acids have been shown to improve cognitive function, so working with your vet to modify your dog’s diet can also alleviate some symptoms. Melatonin can be used for sleep or anxiety disorders in this syndrome. Hopefully, you got your furry friend pet medical insurance when he or she was young – all of these things can be covered, not to mention things like hydrotherapy, rehab and other alternative treatments when mobility becomes difficult.
 
Finally, you can try a few things on your own with your dog to improve his or her quality of life. Try teaching hand signals for commands if hearing loss is also an issue. Pick up any clutter around the house that could be confusing, and try not to significantly rearrange the furniture. Older dogs can easily become disoriented if you make drastic changes to the environment they are familiar with. They also have a tendency to wander off, so make sure that you keep a collar and ID tags on your pet at all times and limit his access to outdoor areas where he or she might be able to break free.
 
Our pets are now enjoying longer lives, thanks to advances veterinary technology, better diets and more informed pet parents. Most of us view our pets as a part of the family, and it is difficult to see them age.  If your dog is showing signs of cognitive dysfunction, talk to your veterinarian about what you can do to help make his or her golden years comfortable, safe and happy.