Senility in Dogs and Cats
Aging is the one thing science has yet to find a cure for.
Our pets suffer some of the same insults of growing older
that we do.
Some dogs may exhibit a number of behavioral changes linked
to senility. This condition is now commonly called Canine
Cognitive Dysfunction, or Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome.
While this syndrome is recognized in dogs, it has not been
scientifically established in cats.
There are four main areas where CCD symptoms appear. They
are disorientation, interaction with people, activity level
and sleep, and housetraining.
Disorientation can be seen as an animal that wanders
aimlessly, gets stuck in corners, stands at the wrong side
of a door or appears not to recognize people or familiar
commands and words.
Changes in interaction with people include seeking more or
less attention than normal, not wanting to be petted, and
not responding to his or her name.
Activity level and sleep changes show in such behaviors as
sleeping more during the day and less at night, barking for
no reason, forgetting meal times, and wandering aimlessly.
Housetraining changes are obvious – urinating in the
house, not asking to go outside or forgetting why they are
there when they do go out. This is not the same as
incontinence, which is usually a physical problem.
Cats may show some of these same signs, though they are
often more subtle. There are also a number of other reasons
for behavior changes in both dogs and cats.
Chronic pain can cause changes in behavior, in particular
pacing and not sleeping at night. Hyperthyroidism in cats
is often a reason for some of the odd behaviors older cats
may exhibit.
Other hormonal disorders can also cause changes, especially
those involving eating patterns or aggression. Medications
can also cause changes in behavior, as can many other
diseases and medical conditions.
Cats are also prone to small strokes, which can cause
changes such as walking into walls, or appearing
disorientated.
A thorough medical exam with blood work will be necessary
in order to determine if your pet has a cognitive disorder
due to aging.
There is also a syndrome called societal disassociative
disorder, which is similar to CDS and is caused by loss of
senses such as hearing and sight.
You can help your pet through these times by being aware of
the causes and not taking it personally or punishing the
animal for inappropriate behavior. You can offer extra
attention and reassurance.
Try to keep a consistent schedule, and to not make a lot of
physical changes in the dog or cat’s environment.
The use of flower essences, aromatherapy, herbs and touch
therapy can all be helpful in keeping your dog or cat free
of anxiety.
—————————————————-
Elyse Grau is an herbalist and a long-time pet owner,
well-versed in pet nutrition and feeding. She is the author
of Pet Health Resource, your web guide to a healthy, happy
dog or cat. For more information on this subject, visit:
http://www.pethealthresource.com
