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Dogs age 11 to 16 are most likely to develop Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD), sort of the doggy version of Alzheimer's Disease. CCD is a medical condition in which a starch-like waxy protein called beta amyloid collects in the brain and causes behavior changes.
Affected dogs become disoriented, wander, cry and pace, and can become lost in the house when out of your sight. Their behavior can change from confident to frightened, and the awake/sleep cycles may turn upside down. Dogs can forget house training, how to find the door or be unable to tell you when they need to "go." And most heartbreaking of all, senile dogs lose interest in petting, ignore their beloved owners or furry friends, and might not recognize you.
Treating Doggy Senility
While there's no cure for CCD, the drug Anipryl (selegiline hydrochloride) is FDA-approved to treat cognitive dysfunction in dogs. According to veterinary researchers, about one third of treated dogs return to normal, another third are somewhat helped, and the final one third aren't helped at all. There also are special diets designed to help turn back the clock on canine senility. Sadly, even improved dogs eventually revert and again develop senility signs.
7 Tips To Keep Canine Brains Youthful
A longer life is not necessarily a better life, especially if your dog no longer recognizes you. But there are ways to help your dog stay connected with the world and ward off signs of CCD, simply by exercising his brain.
Brain function studies in dogs proved that problem-solving activities kept them sharp, connected to the world around them, and even extended their lifespan. Just as with people, canine mental and physical stimulation drastically improves your dog's cognitive function. "Use it or lose it" applies to dogs just as it does to humans. Here are seven tips to keep your dog mentally spry into his old age.
1. Don't delay. Keep dogs both mentally and physically agile from puppyhood on. That helps prevent or at least slow brain aging changes.
2. Make Play a Daily Treat. Interactive games keep your dog engaged with you and reward him for responding. Toys don't need to be expensive, either. Old socks become tug toys and used tennis balls work great for fetch. They're even more attractive if old and they smell like the owner.
3. Slim Pudgy Pooches. Overweight dogs have trouble exercising and avoid moving, which can allow joints--and brains--to rust. Ask your vet for a slimming program that's safe for your overweight canine.
4. Adopt Another Pet. Proper introductions of a playful younger cat or dog can serve as a furry fountain of youth to an old-fogey dog. Even if he's irked at the young whippersnapper, keeping junior in line can keep your dog sharp.
5. Practice Commands. Just because he's old doesn't mean he can't perform. Practice the pleasures that make your dog's heart leap for joy. For an obedience champion, put him through his paces. If he has trouble, adjust the Frisbee toss or vault heights. Make necessary accommodations so he can still succeed and feel like the champion he is.
6. Treats for Tricks. Teach the old dog new tricks using healthy treat rewards. Make treats smelly so he won't have to strain old eyes to see.
7. Give a Challenge. Puzzle toys that dispense treats turn meals into fun games. For food fanatics, puzzle toys encourage activity and brain-teasing challenges that exercise problem solving abilities.
We can't predict any dog's lifespan. When a special dog reaches senior citizenship, we treasure our time together even more. Keeping your dog mentally active helps keep dogs connected with life-and us. And that ensures their golden years sparkle.
Amy D. Shojai is a certified animal behavior consultant and the award-winning author of 23 pet care books, including The First-Aid Companion for Dogs & Cats. Amy also appears on Animal Planet's CATS-101 and DOGS-101, writes for puppies.About.com and lives in North Texas with a senior citizen Siamese and smart-aleck German shepherd dog. Read her blog on Red Room.
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How Much Water Should a Dog Drink?
Not one mention of regular dog walks ? Are you serious ? The absolute kindest most productive and intellectually stimulating thing you can do for your dog is walk him . You want to keep your dog active , healthy , and trim ? You walk him twice a day for minimum 45 minutes each time . You stimulate him intellectually on the walk by making him walk beside you . You challenge him intellectually by asking him to be calm on the walk . Even when you walk by cats . Even when you walk by a fence with an out of control blood thirsty dog behind it . Everything that you want for your dogs physical and mental health is available if you walk your dog . I cannot believe this article did not even mentioned dog walking . You have ZERO legitimacy with me .
Relax dude....45 minutes twice a day is a little excessive. Especially if you have a yard where they can go play in by themselves. Take a chill pill, and get a life.
sweetfly is absolutely correct. Dogs that are regulary walked are much happier and relaxed. Depending on the breed, 45 min twice a day is the right amount. People who don't walk their dogs are neglectful. Why own a dog if you're not going to care for him properly? Also, letting your dog run and play in the yard by himself is lazy. Dogs need to explore new smells, other dogs and people.
Walking your dog for 45 minutes twice a day is great if you have the
time to do it, but most working people probably don't. If not, try
walking once a day before or after work. Better yet, if you can
roller blade let them pull you along as much as they can. This is
great exercise for them, especially for for high energy breeds who
really need to run to burn off that energy. If you don't roller
blade, teaching your dog to run next to you while riding a bike is
another great idea.
If you do have a large back yard, playing fetch with them every single
day after work and many times over the weekend is a great exercise
plan. Our dogs just love it and it keeps them physically fit as they
get to run like crazy and really enjoy the interaction. To keep their
minds going try "faking" a throw every now and again or throwing a
ball into the bushes so they have to go and find it themselves.
Jason ..... Letting your dog out in the yard is not enough . They do not get any intellectual stimulation from running around . It is unstructured . It is a free for all . Letting your dog out in the yard as opposed to structured walking is about the same as subsisting on candy in lieu of meats and vegetables . Also , walking your dog fulfills a primal need for migration . In nature dogs migrate all day with the pack . Now we cannot dublicate this all day migration but we can simulate the most important aspects of it . People need to stop fulfilling their own needs and their own laziness and think about what their dogs best interests . And trust me , throwing him out in the back yard and flipping him a treat now and then does nothing for your dog . It just doesnt .
Several of Amy's points related to exercise -- physical AND mental -- , and walking is not the only way to get this. Or even necessarily the best way. Someone mentioned playing ball or frisbee, and there are also tug, agility etc., nose work, touch games, and things you just make up as you go along. Playing with other dogs can't be beat. All that running and wrestling is exercising muscles that walking doesn't, and it allows the dog to keep social skills honed. Try a good dog daycare! Many focus on younger dogs, but even older ones can benefit from the stimulation.
no comment
Mary ..... I work and i also find the time to fulfill my dogs primal needs .... exercise , discipline , affection ... in that order ... I wake up and take her for a nice long walk . Then i go about my day . She is exercised and calm for her day alone in the house . When I get home I take her for another walk . If people cannot find an hour and a half per day to walk their dogs then i say dont get a dog .
That is what I was saying. You say that your dog is left alone in the house all day while you are gone, so you are doing the right thing. But, don't discredit dog owners who have a large back yard for them to run around in while they are at work and play fetch with them when they get home.
Sweetfly, everyone is really impressed.
I have two Jack Russel Terriers Kit and Kaboodle yes I have the whole kit and kaboodle. We just love them to pieces.Kit it 6 years old and we have had Kaboodle since 1996.they are both rescue dogs.Kaboodle now has Destibular disease.its a brain problem but she is a very smart little dog and loves us so much and she loves to play with pull toys and her treat puzzle.she is disabled but she has adapted and is a happy dog .She plays with Kit too hes a little over weight but loves us and Kaboodle too .....I want to Thank all for this wonderful
oppertunity to introduce Kit and Kaboodle to you thay say" WOOF WOOF THANK YOU "
In a perfect world a dog would have 2 adult people parents, children to play with in a big back yard fenced in, daily walks, open park play, agilty training and lots of socialization. There would be at least 1 stay at home grown up to cook organic food and refill the dogs bowl with purified water. Oh, and this article suggests adding another pet and expense to the mix. RIGHT!
I am just happy to keep my 8 yr. old toy dog alive in a hi-rise apt, who cannot be walked because of breathing problems, can't go in the sun/terrace too long as he is loosing his white hair and his pink skin is showing. He has Cushings and Thryroid disease, breathing and horrible skin problems. Yes, I have tried everything with Vets and natural products, etc. I have even given up some of my free-lance jobs to look after him.
I say do your best and be happy if the dog does not chew up your furniture, behaves well, gets some exercise, does not bite anyone and is HEALTHY..
I agree with sweetfly 100%! Walking your dog, routinely, at least twice a day is the best treat you can give him/her. The article has a few good points but they did leave out the most important component in keeping your dog healthy and happy.