Cognitive dysfunction in dogs – signs and what to do

Updated 2026-09-30 · 1 sources

Based on: PDSA

Book a vet visit

Book a vet appointment if you think your dog has this – a vet needs to confirm it and plan the treatment. Cognitive dysfunction is a condition in which a dog’s ageing brain causes changes in behaviour.

What to do now

What you can do now

  1. Contact your vet.
  2. Note when it started, how often it happens and what else you see.
  3. Take a photo or short video to show the vet.
  4. Keep fresh water available.
  5. Let your dog rest somewhere calm.

Don't

  • Do not give any human medicine.
  • Do not wait if it gets worse.

What it is

Cognitive dysfunction, also called doggy dementia, can happen as a dog's brain ages.[1] It causes behaviour changes that tend to become more severe over time.[1]

Signs

  • Confusion
  • Peeing or pooing in the house
  • Low energy or depression
  • Not sleeping at night
  • Forgetting commands
  • Pacing
  • Staring into space
  • Barking more
  • Eating less or much more
  • New fears or phobias

How vets treat it

  • A vet may recommend a diet change.
  • A vet may recommend medication.

What the experts say

“Confusion ; Peeing or pooing in the house ; Low energy or depression ; Not sleeping at night ; Forgetting commands ; Pacing ; Staring into space ; Barking more ; Eating less or much more ; New fears or phobias ; Aggression/changes in behaviour”

If your pet is struggling to breathe, has collapsed, is having a seizure or can't stand up: go to the nearest vet now.

Not sure how serious it is?

OkPaw asks a few quick questions about your pet and tells you in 30 seconds whether it can wait. Free on Google Play for Android.

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Common questions

What is cognitive dysfunction in dogs?

Cognitive dysfunction, also called doggy dementia, can happen as a dog's brain ages and cause behaviour changes.[1]

What signs can cognitive dysfunction cause?

Signs can include confusion, accidents in the house, low energy, not sleeping at night, forgetting commands, pacing, staring into space, barking more, eating less or much more, new fears or phobias, and aggression or other behaviour changes.[1]

How may a vet treat cognitive dysfunction?

A vet may recommend a combination of treatments, including medication, a special diet or antioxidant supplements designed to help brain function.[1]

Sources

  1. PDSA

How this page was made: written with the help of AI from the sources below, then checked claim by claim against those sources. Urgency levels follow OkPaw’s fixed safety rules. It is guidance, not a diagnosis. How we write our pages

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