Some behavioral changes emerge as our canine companions mature and enter their old age. Some dogs may wander and appear lost at times. Others may appear restless, anxious, and unable to settle in the evenings. The dog’s behavior may be indicative of sundowners also known as Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome or 'doggie dementia'.
As pet owners, it is saddening to realize that our grey-muzzled companions are getting older. Sundowners is a type of canine cognitive dysfunction that affects your dog’s quality of life. If your dog experiences sundowners, all familiar routines become confusing while peaceful night sleep becomes restless patrols.
While these changes are heartbreaking to experience, understanding sundowners in dogs is the first step in providing your canine companion comfort and support.
Sundowners in dogs have no cure. However, there are different methods to manage the condition and improve both you and your dog’s quality of life. Continue reading to learn more about sundowners and how you can support senior dogs experiencing this condition.
- What is Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome?
- What are the Causes of Canine Cognitive Dysfunction?
- What is Sundowners in Dogs?
- Sundowner Syndrome in Dogs with Cognitive Dysfunction
- How Does Sundowners in Dogs Develop?
- Signs and Symptoms of Sundowners in Dogs
- Diagnosing Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome in Dogs
- Managing Sundowners in Dogs
- How to Calm a Senior Dog with Sundowner Syndrome?
- Closing Remarks
- Frequently Asked Questions About Sundowners in Dogs
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What is Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome?
Sometimes referred to as dog dementia, canine cognitive dysfunction is a condition that affects your dog’s cognition and behavior. Cognition involves your dog’s ability to learn, remember, and recognize their surroundings.
However, studies have identified that canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome may not be the correct term to use with regard to dogs. Researchers acknowledge that there are other animals in the canine family, including coyotes and wolves. There is no accurate information on whether these animals suffer from the same condition. To refer specifically to dogs, studies show that the term CDS (Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome) in dogs is more accurate.
It may be difficult to identify whether your dog has canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome since it can have symptoms similar to other illnesses. For instance, just like CDS, arthritis in dogs also leads to lower activity levels. As a result, your vet needs to rule out all other potential causes when diagnosing canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome.
What are the Causes of Canine Cognitive Dysfunction?
Dog dementia is caused by brain changes that are linked to aging. For example, aging dogs may experience changes in the brain’s neurons. These neurons comprise the cells that relay information across the brain. Failure of these neurons to properly relay information means that the brain can’t work properly.
Studies also show that cognitive dysfunction syndrome has similar causes as human Alzheimer’s disease. Such causes include oxidative damage within the brain cells as a result of poor blood circulation, reduced availability of oxygen, and reduced oxygen metabolism in the brain cells.
Such changes can lead to an increased loss of neurons, especially where memory is stored. The result is a cognitive decline since the memory part of the brain is responsible for learning.
What is Sundowners in Dogs?
The term “sundowners” is used to refer to individuals with dementia. Such people experience an onset of symptoms late in the day as the sun goes down. In dogs, the term refers to the signs that our canine companions experience as they enter old age. Such signs are suggestive of canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome and include unusual behavior and confusion.
Brain deterioration or cognitive decline can be observed in dogs 9 years and older. Studies suggest that 68 percent of aging dogs at 15 to 16 years exhibit signs of doggie dementia.
The symptoms of dog dementia worsen in the late afternoon and nighttime hours. During these hours, a dog with sundowners becomes restless, disoriented, vocal, and experiences severely disrupted sleep patterns.
Sundowners in dogs isn’t a separate disease. It is a pattern that senior dogs with cognitive decline experience.
Sundowner Syndrome in Dogs with Cognitive Dysfunction
Sundowner syndrome is part of the sleep wake cycle disruption experienced by dogs with cognitive decline. Your pet might sleep more during the day and become more agitated and restless at night.
The lack of sleep at night makes your pup wander away, pace, or even bark for no apparent reason. This behavior is why dog dementia is called sundowner syndrome in dogs.
Sundowner syndrome is not just normal aging; it is a recognized medical condition. It affects sleep wake cycles, personality, and activity levels. Affected older dogs may play less and sleep more. Dogs that were once sociable and outgoing suddenly become fearful, reserved, and sometimes aggressive.
To help manage such symptoms, studies show that pet owners can include mental and environmental enrichment exercises. These exercises can be provided based on a predictable schedule, allowing your dog to remember and expect them.
How Does Sundowners in Dogs Develop?
The signs and symptoms of sundowners in dogs develop very gradually. Many pet parents may actually fail to recognize them in the early stages of the condition. Some pet owners actually attribute early-stage symptoms, including behavioral changes, to the dog “simply getting older”.
The exact reason for the development and progression of sundowners is unknown. However, research shows that age-related and degenerative changes may contribute to canine cognitive dysfunction. Such changes include loss of cells, oxidative stress, deterioration of the central nervous system, and accumulation of free radicals.
The loss of cells may disrupt your canine companion’s biological clock. One of the main regulators of your dog’s body is a hormone known as melatonin. The pineal gland releases melatonin when the sun goes down, signaling rest. However, this process doesn’t always function properly in senior dogs, leading to abnormal sleep cycles and reduced activity.
Signs and Symptoms of Sundowners in Dogs
Canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome affects aging pets, with symptoms beginning at around 9 years of age. The condition progresses slowly, starting with only one or two clinical signs before progressing into full-blown signs. The main symptoms of sundowners in dogs (dog dementia) include the following:
Sleep Wake Cycle
Instead of staying asleep at night, your dog’s sleep patterns change. The pup might sleep more during the day and become restless during the night.
Activity Changes
The activity levels may also shift. Your dog may become more active and restless or, conversely, more inactive and tired during the day.
Disorientation
A disoriented dog looks confused or zoned out. The dog may wander aimlessly, get stuck in corners, or fail to recognize familiar people and places.
House Soiling
Dogs with sundowners may forget their training and begin having accidents indoors, often due to confusion and memory loss.
Reduced Interactions
Your canine companion may become detached from people and other pets or, conversely, overly clingy. Behavioral shifts like these are common in sundowners dogs.
Anxiety
Senior dogs with sundowners often become fearful, reactive, or anxious, especially around loud noises, unfamiliar situations, or when left alone.
Diagnosing Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome in Dogs
Diagnosing cognitive dysfunction requires ruling out other conditions with similar symptoms. Vets often use behavioral checklists, physical exams, and diagnostic tests to confirm CDS.
Managing Sundowners in Dogs
While there’s no cure for sundowners, several strategies can slow progression and improve comfort. The focus is on supporting brain health, maintaining calm, and providing a structured environment.
Using Supplements and Holistic Options
Supplements such as CBD oil, omega-3 fatty acids, and melatonin may help manage anxiety, sleep disturbances, and cognitive decline in senior dogs.
Prescription Diets
Veterinary diets rich in antioxidants, healthy fats, and vitamins may help promote brain health. Consult your vet to select an appropriate diet.
Routine and Environment
Maintain a predictable routine, keep the home well-lit in the evening, and ensure your dog’s surroundings are safe and familiar to reduce confusion and anxiety.
How to Calm a Senior Dog with Sundowner Syndrome?
Establishing a calm, predictable environment with consistent routines, gentle lighting, and relaxation aids like CBD oil may help soothe anxiety and improve rest for dogs with sundowners.
Closing Remarks
Sundowners can be tough to face when it's happening to your senior dog. However, the goal is not to cure but to manage symptoms and ensure comfort. With veterinary guidance and patient care, senior dogs can still enjoy their golden years.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sundowners in Dogs
What causes sundowners in dogs?
Sundowners in dogs is caused by age-related brain changes, including neuron loss and oxidative damage. These affect memory, sleep cycles, and cognitive function, leading to disorientation and anxiety.
At what age do dogs start showing signs of sundowners?
Most dogs begin showing early signs of cognitive decline around 9 years old, though symptoms often become more noticeable after age 12.
Can CBD oil help dogs with sundowners?
CBD oil may help reduce anxiety, improve relaxation, and support better sleep patterns in dogs with sundowners. Always consult your vet before adding supplements.
How can I make my home more comfortable for a dog with sundowners?
Keep lighting soft in the evening, avoid rearranging furniture, and provide safe, quiet spaces. Maintain a regular schedule for meals, walks, and bedtime to reduce confusion.
Is sundowners in dogs curable?
No, sundowners has no cure, but its symptoms can be managed with veterinary support, supplements, and consistent routines to improve quality of life.
