Is my dog's night confusion sundowners? What helps dog dementia?

This could be canine cognitive dysfunction, which is like Alzheimer's in humans. I would have Mitch seen by a vet for this to see if he does have this. If he does, therapeutic foods, exercise during the day, and potentially a drug called Anipryl.

With canine cognitive dysfunction (dimentia) night waking is really common. I have used an anti anxiety medication called alprazolam with varied success. Also melatonin can be helpful. It seems some patients respond nicely, while it doesn’t seem to affect others at all. However, it is worth a try. I would recommend calling your veterinarian and discussing if a prescription for these would be ok for Kimi. Best of luck and thank you for using Pet Coach.

This could be anxiety as you suggest, or it could be canine cognitive dysfunction (doggy dementia). CCG often includes restless/wakeful behavior at night and sleeping during the day. It can also include loss of house-training, failure to recognize family members and confused or wandering behavior. Melatonin and/or Benadryl are considered generally safe medications to give before bed to help promote sleep. There are also medications and prescription diets made especially for CCD if that is what’s happening to Sherwood. Talk with your vet to see if s/he agrees and to discuss options and doses.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Coco. Canine cognitive dysfunction is common in older animals. It is somewhat similar to Alzheimer's disease in people. It is characterized by anxiety (especially at night), panting, pacing, becoming stuck in corners (due to disorientation) and accidents in the house. If these signs sound familiar, it would be best for her to see her veterinarian. There are prescription medications that can be used in some cases. At home though, you could transitioning her to Purina ProPlan Bright Minds. It really does seem to help these patients. I hope this information helps!

Hello, I am so sorry for your concerns about Dylan. It sounds like he has developed some issues concerning canine cognitive dysfunction, a type of dementia often seen in dogs this age. There are several options for trying to help Dylan & you rest easier at night. Some are prescription medications, some may be available over the counter. Please talk to your veterinarian about what would be most appropriate for helping Dylan. I am sure something can be found to settle his night wanderings. Take care & thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

If only Kimmy could talk! It's hard to know if Kimmy is not recognizing you or if this is simply her night time routine. Dogs can develop dementia (cognitive dysfunction) and the symptoms tend to be worse at night time: https://www.petcoach.co/article/cognitive-dysfunction-senility-in-dogs/ See if you notice any other symptoms and have Kimmy examined by the veterinarian to discuss the options. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.

Dementia is easily treated. You should make an appointment with your vet to rule out other diseases. Should the diagnosis be that Betsey suffers from dementia (typical signs are pacing at night, crying, not knowing where she is , needing you to "save" her from loneliness), there is a medication that can be given which will alleviate all those signs. The medication is called Selegiline (generic name) or brandname Anipryl. In the meantime you can leave a small lamp on at night, and leave the radio on(unless she is deaf). That often helps, too.