Canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS) is the equivalent of Alzheimer disease in dogs and causes significant welfare compromise in aging dogs when unrecognized and untreated.
CDS causes genuine suffering in affected dogs — disorientation, anxiety, confusion, and loss of previously learned behaviors creates chronic distress that compounds the physical challenges of aging. Dogs who pace at night, seem to forget their owners, or become lost in familiar environments are experiencing a form of fear and confusion that has direct welfare impact. The underdiagnosis of CDS is a welfare problem: owners who attribute these signs to "just getting old" miss opportunities for treatment that can meaningfully improve quality of life. The welfare ceiling for CDS management is modest — there is no cure — but early treatment with selegiline, enrichment, and appropriate pain management for concurrent conditions can slow progression and maintain function longer. End-of-life decisions for dogs with advanced CDS require honest quality-of-life assessment.