Canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome affects a significant proportion of senior dogs, causing disorientation and distress that can be managed with environmental and veterinary interventions.
Canine cognitive dysfunction is a welfare issue that receives insufficient attention from both owners and veterinary practitioners. Dogs with CDS experience disorientation and anxiety that is distressing to the animal even when not obviously painful. Nighttime vocalization and confusion reflect genuine psychological distress. The good news is that early intervention through environmental enrichment, dietary supplementation, and veterinary-prescribed medications can slow progression and maintain quality of life for years. Owner education about early warning signs is the critical first step in preventing unnecessary suffering from undertreated cognitive decline.