New expert guidelines standardize diagnosis and monitoring of canine dementia

An international group of experts has developed new guidelines to help veterinarians better recognize and diagnose canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CCDS), commonly known as canine dementia. The condition affects many older dogs and can cause changes in behavior, sleep, learning, and daily routines, yet it is often overlooked despite its significant impact on animal welfare. The guidelines also highlight that research on canine dementia has the potential to contribute to our understanding of human dementia, particularly Alzheimer’s disease.

Many dogs older than eight years show signs of cognitive dysfunction, which are often mistaken for “normal aging” and remain underdiagnosed, limiting opportunities for early support and consistent care. An expert group addressed this problem by clearly defining the key signs of canine cognitive dysfunction. These include disorientation, changes in social interaction, disrupted sleep–wake cycles, house soiling, altered activity levels, and increased anxiety. The new guidelines, published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association (JAVMA), give veterinarians and pet owners a clear way to recognize when a dog’s behavior may signal cognitive decline rather than isolated or unrelated problems.

Because canine cognitive dysfunction shares many features with Alzheimer’s disease, the new dog guidelines were deliberately modeled on the long-established and evolving diagnostic frameworks used in Alzheimer’s disease research. To make the recommendations usable in everyday practice, the guidelines outline a step-by-step diagnostic approach. The first level focuses on information that most veterinarians can gather during routine visits, including a dog’s behavioral history, physical and neurological examinations, and tests to rule out other medical causes. A second, more advanced level adds brain imaging for cases where higher diagnostic certainty is needed, such as in referral clinics or research studies.

The guidelines also describe three stages of disease severity, allowing veterinarians to monitor how a dog’s condition changes over time. This staging helps guide care decisions, supports conversations with pet owners about what to expect, and creates a shared language for tracking disease progression.

Experts further recommend that cognitive health become part of routine care for aging dogs. Regular screening starting in mid-to-late adulthood could help identify early signs of decline, when interventions and environmental adjustments may have the greatest impact on quality of life.

The guidelines were developed through a structured consensus process led by Natasha Olby, professor at the NC State University College of Veterinary Medicine, who convened 12 international experts in veterinary neurology, behavior, and aging from the USA, UK, Canada, Germany, and Hungary (ELTE). “The guidelines are only the start of the process of defining and identifying cognitive decline and dysfunction in dogs,” Olby said. “They have been developed to be accessible to primary veterinarians and their pet owners and will help to unify efforts to detect cognitive decline in its early stages.”

By providing shared definitions and practical tools, the authors hope the guidelines will improve care for aging dogs and their families, while also laying the groundwork for future research into the causes, progression, and treatment of canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome.

Original publication: The Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome Working Group guidelines for diagnosis and monitoring of canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome.

Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, https://avmajournals.avma.org/view/journals/javma/aop/javma.25.10.0668/javma.25.10.0668.xml, https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.25.10.0668

Funding: The Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome Working Group would like to acknowledge the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation for their support (Grant No. 03440).

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