Sometimes, particularly in older dogs, a dog that is regularly staring at their owner, or is staring into space, could be a sign of a form of dementia.
The bad news for owners of old dogs is that this standing and staring blankly also be a sign of Canine Cognitive Disorders or CDD. This condition is also called Canine Dementia, and it occurs fairly often in old dogs.
Similar to humans, dogs can stare to interact with you, gather information, or communicate an idea. These types of staring can be interpreted by the context in which they happen. But when your dog is staring at nothing, this might be a sign of anxiety or pain, or potentially be a signal of dementia.
Pain and Mobility
Signs of pain in dogs tend to be very subtle. It usually starts as reluctance to do what they have done easily in the past, like jumping up on furniture or in the car, that then progresses to inability to do these things at all. Walks become shorter, or their gait changes during the walks.
What are the typical signs of pain in dogs? General behaviour: Shaking, flattened ears, low posture, aggression, grumpy temperament, panting or crying, excessive licking or scratching a specific area, reluctant to play, interact or exercise, lameness (limping), stiffness after rest, loss of appetite.
If your dog is experiencing lethargy, fatigue, and lack of interest, it may be depressed. You may notice that your dog is sleeping more than usual or isn't interested in activities, toys, or people they used to love. Depression is a common sign at the end of a dog's life as they lose mobility or experience pain.
When there are too many bad days in a row, or if the dog seems to be turned off to life, quality of life is compromised. Bad days may mean nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, frustration, unrelenting pain/discomfort, or inability to breathe.
If he is losing his hearing or sight, which is common in older dogs, this could be making him feel much more dependent on you and anxious when you leave him. Also, anxiety in older dogs can be indicative of Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS), a disease which functions much like Alzheimer's in humans.
Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome and seizures are the more common medical reasons why dogs stare at walls, but there are some other possibilities. Staring could be a compulsive behavior, rather like compulsive disorders in people.
Getting lost in familiar places, staring blankly, walking into things, or repeatedly asking to go out. Altered relationships, becoming clingy, needy, irritable, or aggressive, or showing reduced greeting behaviour. Sleep more during the day, while being restless, barking, or whining repetitively during the night.
If your dog is experiencing unusual weakness or lethargy, it could be caused by a wide range of things ranging from pain and medication to infection and disease. So it's best to see a veterinarian immediately if your dog is not acting like themselves and seems to have lost their energy recently.
Weeks before your dog passes you will begin to notice some of these signs. Most commonly these signs follow a similar pattern to the following: 3 months to 3 weeks before your dog passes you may notice: weight loss, a lack of self-grooming, duller eyes, dehydration, and gastrointestinal changes.
Wandering aimlessly, getting stuck in corners, walking without his usual confidence and purpose — is your dog navigating his surroundings differently? Does he seem lost? These are common signs of canine cognitive disorder in older dogs.
As dementia starts in our beloved senior dogs, initially it may be difficult for you to recognize. The early signs are sometimes very subtle. That's why it is important that dog parents know what to look for. Dementia in dogs has three stages of symptoms—mild, moderate, and severe.
How long can a dog live with dementia? On average, a dog can live for around two years after an official diagnosis. That said, it depends on the dog's overall physical and mental health, how fast the disease progresses, and how early the signs of dementia were picked up.
About a quarter of the dogs who had initially been diagnosed with mild cognitive dysfunction had progressed to moderate dysfunction in six months. This portion rose to half the dogs at the one-year mark. This is roughly five times faster than the progression of human Alzheimer's.
Staring at the wall or into space, wandering aimlessly, pacing, and general disorientation are all common in senior dogs with declining cognitive function.
If he is losing his hearing or sight, which is common in older dogs, this could be making him feel much more dependent on you and anxious when you leave him. Also, anxiety in older dogs can be indicative of Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS), a disease which functions much like Alzheimer's in humans.
There may be virtually no interest in eating or drinking water. Organs like the liver and kidneys may slowly shut down, which makes your dog lose digestive functions. In the final 2-3 days, your dog is likely to completely refuse food. Your dog may develop a dry and sticky mouth due to dehydration.
Signs Your Dog May Be Ready to Say Goodbye
Labored breathing. Lack of appetite. Lack of Mobility or Extreme Lethargy. Crying or intense whining.
Your dog will hardly know what happened and will simply start to feel pleasantly drowsy. You will notice that I said “Your vet will hopefully prepare an anaesthetic or sedative injection for your dog”. Some do not. Having seen it done both ways, the “two injection” method is definitely my preference.
Euthanasia provides a painless, peaceful end for a pet who would otherwise continue to suffer. Your veterinarian has special training to provide your pet with a humane and gentle death. During the procedure, your vet will inject your pet with a sedative followed by a special medication.
If you have a dog in its teenage years, one of the most likely reasons for your dog staring at the wall is Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD). CCD is similar to dementia in people. Having no specific cause, “doggy dementia” is a slow degenerative process that leads to a decline in cognitive function.