Similar to humans, dogs develop some health problems as they age. In addition to conditions such as joint disease, some dogs also develop dementia.
How you can tell if your four-legged friend is affected by this age-related disease known as cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS) and how you can support him in everyday life is explained below.
Dementia in dogs usually only appears in old age. When the first symptoms become noticeable depends not least on the breed of the dog. Large dogs are known to age faster, so they tend to develop dementia earlier than their smaller counterparts.
The declining mental abilities are called cognitive dysfunction syndrome and are triggered by protein deposits in the brain, which gradually lead to the ever-progressing death of the nerve cells.
This process progresses slowly. Accordingly, the symptoms associated with dementia in dogs also develop only gradually. However, they cannot be completely stopped.
If your dog suffers from dementia, it will become increasingly difficult for him to cope with everyday life. This circumstance inevitably makes itself felt with a series of typical behavioural conspicuities, which can be more or less pronounced depending on the progress of the disease.
Over time, dementia can even progress to the point where dogs no longer recognise their owners and family members who are loved are often growled at out of nowhere.
If you notice behavioural abnormalities in your dog that may indicate the onset of dementia, a visit to the vet is of course advisable. The veterinarian can examine your four-legged friend and give you tips on how to treat and deal with your dog's declining cognitive abilities.
Although there are various therapeutic approaches, dementia in dogs is not yet curable. You must therefore expect that the condition of your four-legged friend will most likely continue to deteriorate.
Nevertheless, there are some things you can do to support your dog with dementia in everyday life as much as possible and to halt the progress of the disease, at least to a certain extent.
A balanced diet makes a decisive contribution to your dog's health. Antioxidants such as vitamins C and E, B vitamins and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids play a particularly important role regarding possible dementia.
Therefore, make sure that your four-legged friend receives high-quality dog food made from natural ingredients. In addition, a dietary supplement to optimise the supply of micronutrients may be useful.
In addition to nutrition, mental exercise is also important to reduce the risk of dementia in your dog or at least slow down the progression of the disease. Regular training, varied walks and the use of intelligence toys should therefore ideally have a fixed place in your daily routine right from the start.
Because all this not only ensures that your four-legged friend has an exciting and species-appropriate life. It also helps to keep your dog's brain on its toes and improve its cognitive abilities.
Various drugs are used in the treatment of dogs with dementia. These include, for example, preparations that promote blood circulation with the active ingredient propentofylline or also the active ingredient selegiline, which belongs to the MAO-B inhibitors.
Be aware that you cannot cure existing dementia and that the increasing decline of his cognitive abilities will sometimes greatly unsettle and frighten your dog.
It is therefore very important that you give your four-legged friend enough attention and pay attention to daily routines that are as fixed as possible. In this way, you ensure safety and contribute to your dog feeling comfortable and secure despite everything.
A balanced diet is of course very important for the well-being of your ageing four-legged friend. In the Bellfor range, you will find high-quality dry and wet food as well as healthy dog snacks made from natural ingredients.
In addition, in the case of dementia, it may make sense to supplement your dog's diet with Shiimun Calm. Shiimun Calm is a natural preparation made from carefully selected ingredients such as brewer's yeast and shiitake.
Shiimun Calm's special formula makes it ideal for helping your four-legged friend to relax and calm down. It can make a big difference to the well-being of your dog suffering from dementia.
