How to Care for A Dog With Dementia

A diagnosis of Canine Cognitive Dysfunctional Syndrome a form of dementia may be overwhelming at first, but if you break down the process into manageable steps, you will find your stress and worry reduced, and your dog will be more comfortable. It’s a matter of rethinking three basic categories of care: nutrition, treatment/therapies, and safety.

Nutrition, Vitamins, and Minerals.
It is likely you will need to work harder to get your dog to eat and watch over caloric intake and hydration since disinterest in food is a common symptom. Also including variety of dry, wet, and table foods can enrich your dog’s diet aid maintaining caloric intake. On the other hand there are dogs that forget they have eaten and walk around looking for food all day long.

Nutritional therapies have found some success in improving symptoms. There is evidence that a diet rich in antioxidants will help with symptoms. In addition, increased levels of vitamins C and E have demonstrated improvement in cognitive abilities. Research indicates this strategy can slow, or ease, symptoms in some cases but is not a cure.

Treatment and Therapy
Medication can be administered to slow the progress of the symptoms or make your dog more comfortable and able to enjoy life with you. Anipryl (selegiline), a medication used in treating Parkinson’s Disease, demonstrates measurable improvement in cognition for dogs.

Sticking to a specific routine can help your dog and your family better care for a dog with dementia. The routine will help with potty issues and make it so your dog is less confused throughout the day. Change for any dog is confusing and upsetting even more so a dog with dementia or Canine Cognitive Dysfunctional Sydrome.

Safety and Comfort
Safety/comfort precautions should be taken, both for the dog’s safety and comfort as well as for the safety of those he or she comes into contact with at any time. Since dogs with CCDS will tremor, display weakness, and have accidents, keeping him or her off tall pieces of furniture, being vigilant when the dog is walking stairs, and even adding doggy diapers can help your dog live a happier life.

Startling easily is another common characteristic of a dog with CCDS, so being conscious of this fact is important since your furry friend may not remember you are in the room, hear you entering a room, etc. Announcing yourself somehow is important, and acknowledging the dog’s presence with a comforting pat or hug will most likely sooth frayed nerves.

However, if your dog becomes fearful, not just nervous, you will want to be cautious of negative fear-based behaviors. A simple yellow ribbon on the leash will notify other owners that your dog needs extra space without you having to say anything. This will avoid unexpected, fear-based altercations between dogs.

As you can see, there are steps you can take after receiving this difficult diagnosis that will improve the quality of life for you, your dog, and your entire family. CCDS may stop you from participating in certain activities, or stop your dog from behaving as he or she did in the past, but the diagnosis doesn’t stop your love for your dog. And that is most important of all. Show your dog the love and care needed to continue to thrive despite their dementia. Living with a dog with dementia can be challenging but it does not mean the bond between you and your dog is over it just means you have to be more cognizant of your dog and your surroundings both in and out of the house.