By Holistic And Organix Pet Shoppe/Natural Health and Nutrition For Dogs
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​A disease that affects older dogs just like humans. Large breeds show signs of aging sooner than smaller dogs. Some giant breeds are actually senior citizens as early as age 4, while some of the smaller breeds show a few signs of aging by age 8. Almost two-thirds of dogs age 11 to 16 have some sort of symptoms.
Make sure your dog has had a full checkup to rule out other disease such as brain tumors. Some of the symptoms below may not be related to this disease, such as loss of hearing, eyesight, heart problems, organ failure, or incontinence. Cognitive Disorders causes disorientation, confusion, memory loss, and personality changes. 

Signs and Symptoms of Canine Cognitive Dysfunction:

• Sleeping a lot, especially during daytime.
• Showing a loss of appetite or lose interest in his favorite foods or treats.
• Having problems going to potty - though fully house-trained, the dog frequently eliminates in the house.
• Show signs of aggression even towards family members and friends since the dog cannot recognize them.
• The dog may appear deaf because he does not respond to his own name.
• Forgets once familiar tricks- stops responding to even basic commands
• Stares blankly into space or at walls
• Gets stuck in corners, under furniture or behind furniture
• Engages in repetitive and compulsive disorders
• Paces or wanders aimlessly - walks in circles
• Appears lost or confused, even in familiar surroundings
• Easily agitated and/or barks for no reason.
• They walk away even when being petted and receiving affection

​Many things come into play for this disease. If they live a life in a backyard with no daily human interaction, no exercise such as taking walks with their human, has not had medical care throughout its life, has been fed kibble or canned pet foods its entire life; these dogs age much faster and will clearly show signs of early aging and Alzheimer's. You can care for your dog by making a change in being a proactive pet parent.

​The best way to avoid or prolong this from happening is by feeding a good homemade diet, using supplements along with organic herbs, and having a clean environment including filtered fluoride and chlorine free water. Chemicals have a profound effect on humans and dogs and it is found that heavy metals are one of the key players in this disease. Providing organic supplements and foods will greatly reduce this brain boggling disease in humans and pets. Get rid of those chemicals in laundry products and lawn chemicals and fertilizers. Avoid flea and tick medications not in a natural form. Avoid any vaccines in this stage of the dog's life that has cognitive issues. Ask for the Thimerosal-Free Rabies vaccine in a healthy pet. Avoid vaccines in an unhealthy pet. 

​Do not move furniture around, take short walks to keep mental stimulation going, do not scream or make loud frightening noises, keep visitors to a minimum, provide a safe place such as an enclosed crate with walls to give more security when needed, interact daily playing games with your dog. Avoid plastic bowls for water and food. Do not use air fresheners, window cleaners etc around house. Use all natural such as vinegar and baking soda or rubbing alcohol for cleaning and disinfecting. 

​To start home remedies and treatment, give your dog 1-2 capsules of activated charcoal (1-2 times a day) for up to 30 days or until you notice any changes that may occur.

​Daily supplements to help cognitive disorders are:

• Coconut oil or MCT oil (1/4 tsp every 10 lbs) Increase amount slowly but work up to higher amounts.
• Ginkgo Biloba
• Sardine/ Anchovy oil or squid (High Quality)
• Vitamin E
• Selenium
• Trace Minerals
• Amino acids
• Vitamin B complex
• Resveratrol (Japanese knotweed only)
• Magnesium
• Vitamin C (natural form-Camu Camu, Rosehips, Amla)

While other articles state once cognitive dysfunction is in its advanced stages and these will only help some; I disagree. It has been documented in human cases that people with severe cognitive dysfunction have completely bounced back almost 100% by cleaning up their diet, adding in MCT oils (in higher amounts) and using other healthy alternatives. Avoid processed foods that contain heavy metals including commercial pet foods.
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You can help your dog bring back that spark in their eyes by clean living and providing nutritional support throughout their lifetime.