Is My Cat Senile? Does My Dog Have Dementia?
Thanks to advances in medicine and good nutrition, more dogs and indoor cats are reaching senior age status. Old age is not a disease. It is simply a stage in life.
But like people, some cats and dogs do become senile in their senior years. In fact, some pets exhibit certain telltale signs of cognitive dysfunction around age 12. Veterinarians and animal behaviorists use the acronym DISH to refer to signs and symptoms associated with senility in cats and dogs.
What IS D.I.S.H.?
D is for disorientation. Senior pets become disoriented. They may walk aimlessly, stare at walls or seem to be “stuck” in corners in their homes.
I is for interaction. They become less likely to greet their favorite people when they come home or seek out a lap to catnap.
S is for sleep. Pets who once slept through the night may now wander restlessly at night and bark or meow loudly as they roam from room to room.
H is for house-training. Pets may begin peeing or defecating on floors and rugs. Cats may bypass their litter boxes because they forget how to use them.
I share ways to make your cat’s senior years truly golden ones. Read on!
Senior Pets Need a Little Extra Attention
Make their golden years their best years.
Key Takeaways
Yes, you can make your pet’s senior years truly golden ones by heeding my advice:
Don’t dismiss D.I.S.H. symptoms as normal signs of aging.
Always work with your veterinarian to first rule out any underlying medical cause that may be aided with medication.
Schedule senior wellness exams for your dogs and cats at least once a year, ideally every six months.
Add a few more water bowls around your home to encourage your senior pet to drink and avoid the risk of becoming dehydrated.
Treat your aging dog to shorter but more frequent walks on smooth sidewalks that won’t jar his joints. Vary the routes to expose your dog to new sights, sounds and smells.
Provide pet-safe heating pads to soothe arthritic joints at nap time.
Install nightlights in dark hallways to help older pets with fuzzy eyesight be able to navigate better.
Final tip:
Show your cat and dog how much you care for them by enrolling in one of our Pet First Aid 4U classes. We offer three options for you to earn veterinarian-approved two-year certificates in our pet first aid/CPR programs:
• In-person classes primarily aimed at pet professionals and first responders.
• Interactive via ZOOM classes offered monthly and on demand
• Self-paced online classes for those wishing to learn anytime, anywhere.
Pick the best option for you and sign up today.
About the Author:
Arden Moore, founder of Pet First Aid 4 U, is a Master Pet First Aid/CPR Instructor who teaches veterinarian-approved, hands-on safety courses alongside her teaching team of Kona (dog) and Casey (cat). Known as “The Pet First Aid & Safety Coach,” Arden is also a nationally recognized behavior consultant, bestselling author of over 25 pet books, and the award-winning host of the “Oh Behave!” podcast. A Fear Free Certified Professional, she brings decades of pet expertise to all her endeavors — with a mission to help pets live safer, longer and healthier lives.
