Did you know that among pet owners, 47% own a dog that’s over seven years old?
That means almost half of all dog owners are currently managing the symptoms of old age in their pets.
While it’s great that our beloved pets are living longer, we all know how difficult aging is. When an issue pops up, it’s difficult to know whether it’s a behavioral or cognitive problem. Finding out the answer is 100% crucial to your senior pet’s health.
If cognitive decline is a concern, then there are ways you can help. Read on to help identify what’s causing your pet’s woes and how to help them thrive.
Top Signs and Symptoms of Cognitive Issues
If your pet is behaving oddly, then your first step is to get informed about the signs of poor mental health for dogs. Here’s what to watch out for:
- Confusion and disorientation
- Anxiety
- Irritability, growling, biting
- Excessive licking or self-soothing
- Increased house soiling
- Disregard for house rules that were previously respected
- Trouble following instructions without a history of disobedience
If you’re noticing a few of these signs, then the issue might be cognitive in nature.
How to Tell if Your Dog’s Behavior is Cognitive or Behavioral
So, how can you tell if the issue is cognitive or behavioral? You can check if the issue is behavioral by changing up your dog’s environment.
Once you do so, take note of how your dog acts. Has the issue suddenly disappeared when you stay at home from work? Does your pet act fine at your sister’s house? If so, then it might be behavioral or influenced by the environment.
How to Handle Dog Behavioral Issues
If you’ve identified the issue as behavioral, there are ways to help. Dog training and behavioral therapy are great options.
If you decide to invest in these options, make sure to hire a quality dog behavioral therapist. It’s best to find one that works with senior pets.
How to Cope With Cognitive Dysfunction in Dogs
Have you heard the old myth that one human year is about seven years in dog-time? That’s not actually accurate. The truth is much more shocking.
The first year of a medium-sized dog’s life equals about 15 human years!
In other words, dogs age fast. You may need to deal with cognitive dysfunction sooner than you’d think.
With that in mind, it’s a great idea to give your aging pet a healthy diet. Include products like Senilife Cognitive Disease Supplement if your vet approves the idea. Doing so should help you start seeing improvement in your pet’s mental health.
Helping Your Senior Dog Thrive With Age
Caring for a senior dog takes so much of your time, effort, and genuine love. When problematic issues arise, you’ll want to determine if it’s behavioral or cognitive. That way, you can make an informed decision on how to treat the issue.
If your pet is displaying cognitive issues with age, then know you’re doing all you can by loving them. Don’t get discouraged. Keep trying, and look into different supplements for dogs to help curb symptoms.
Are you interested in trying out some of those products soon? If so, then head over to our cognitive products page to see what we have to offer.