How to stave off canine dementia
Brain exercises may be able to help “paws” cognitive decline in your dog.
Do Aussie dogs need jackets?
Should you dog wear a jacket in winter? Of course, that depends not only on where you live and how cold it gets, but on the type and size of the dog.
In general, large dogs are generally well-equipped to handle the cold.
According to a report from the ABC, the amount of heat lost from the body and maintaining body temperature is proportional to body size.
Experts say that larger dogs are easily able to make up their heat and not get too cold when they’re out walking.
However, smaller breeds that weigh less than 10 kilograms have a higher body surface area to mass ratio than their larger counterparts, which makes them more sensitive to colder weather.
So, for smaller dogs, especially if it’s cold and raining, a coat can be helpful, especially for an older dog that’s a little bit arthritic.
Greyhounds are an exception, as they can benefit from wearing something warm for winter. And if your large dog has hair loss, then a jacket could be a good idea when walking them on a cold, wet day.
University of Adelaide associate professor, Susan Hazel, who specialises in research into animal welfare, told the ABC there’s no need to dress up your dog for bed in winter, even if it sleeps outside at night.
A kennel that’s protected from the rain and wind, plus some bedding, is all the dog usually needs.
Yes, doggy dementia is a thing. It is also known as Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD) and researchers are studying dogs that are starting to show symptoms to determine whether mental exercises help older dogs’ brains.
That may not be a surprise, given keeping the mind active as we age is often recommended to ward off or improve symptoms of dementia in people. But can the same advice also be put into practice for pet dogs as they enter their twilight years?
University of Adelaide researchers are trialling special training exercises such as scent tasks and obstacle courses for older pooches as non-medicated interventions to fight the signs of cognitive decline.
The dog world seems to strangely parallel our world. While more dogs are enjoying longer lives, thanks to advances in veterinary medicine, doggy dementia is becoming more common.
Researchers believe the disease is underreported by pet owners because many of the signs are often dismissed as “old age”. Up to 60% of senior dogs, mostly over the age of 11, are affected by doggy dementia.
PhD student Tracey Taylor says symptoms such as getting lost at home, changing their interactions with other dogs or humans, and vacant staring can all be signs of CCD.
“While there is no cure, teaching dogs different behaviours and activities could be a rewarding way to help improve their quality of life in their later years,” she said.
“Previous studies have shown that non-medicated interventions have improved symptoms of dementia and Alzheimer’s in humans, and it’s hoped our study will replicate those findings in dogs and help them to fight the signs of cognitive decline.”
The continuing study sees dogs attend free training sessions once a week, over five weeks. During the session, dogs do brain training activities such as scent tasks, balance, and obstacle navigation.
The activities are low or no impact in line with the needs of the elderly pets, with a focus on positive reinforcement to encourage the dogs as they carry out the tasks. The dogs also wear an activity tracker to monitor movement.
As with humans, there is no cure for doggy dementia and there are only a few medications that vets can prescribe to mitigate symptoms.
So, it is hoped exercise that keeps the dog’s brain active will provide an easy, effective, and accessible way to give our furry friends quality of life during their senior years until new medications become available.
Related reading: Adelaide Uni, ABC
