Canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome is the equivalent of dementia in dogs. It causes significant welfare impacts in older animals and remains underdiagnosed despite being common in geriatric dogs.
Cognitive dysfunction syndrome causes progressive loss of mental capacity and life quality in affected dogs. Dogs experience confusion, anxiety, and disrupted sleep that are distressing in themselves and create secondary welfare impacts through reduced ability to engage in rewarding activities. The condition is frequently dismissed as normal aging, delaying diagnosis and treatment that could meaningfully improve quality of life. Raising owner awareness of cognitive dysfunction signs enables earlier veterinary consultation and access to management strategies that can maintain better welfare for longer during the progression of this irreversible condition.