Canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome affects the majority of senior dogs and causes welfare impacts that are often dismissed as normal aging rather than treatable disease.
Senior dog cognitive welfare is compromised by the widespread assumption that behavioral changes in old dogs are inevitable rather than treatable. Owners accept their dog sleeping more, becoming confused, and wandering at night as natural aging when these signs may indicate cognitive dysfunction that responds to treatment. The welfare harm of untreated cognitive dysfunction is real — disoriented, anxious dogs who cannot rest at night are suffering. Proactive cognitive screening at every senior visit and treatment discussion improves welfare for the millions of dogs affected.