Canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome affects a significant proportion of older dogs and shares features with Alzheimer's disease - recognising and managing this condition is important for senior dog welfare.
Senior dog cognitive welfare represents a growing challenge as dogs live longer through improved veterinary care. CDS causes genuine suffering through disorientation, disrupted sleep and anxiety - owners who attribute these signs to normal ageing miss opportunities for management that could significantly improve welfare. The welfare impact of untreated CDS includes chronic anxiety, sleep disruption and the distress of disorientation in familiar environments. Veterinary screening at senior health checks using validated tools like DISHAA enables earlier diagnosis. Owner education about CDS signs and available management options is a welfare priority as the senior dog population grows.