Walkies! How to protect your pooch from doggy dementia

FOR many younger dogs, going for ‘walkies’ with their owner is easily the highlight of their day.

Now scientists have revealed regular outings are even more important for older dogs.

A study has found elderly pets who get little or no exercise have a six-and-a-half times higher risk of developing ‘doggy dementia’.

As with humans, cognitive function declines as dogs age – with some developing canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD). Animals affected by CCD may show signs of memory loss, loss of spatial awareness, altered social interactions and sleep disruption.

Scientists from the University of

Washington investigated the prevalence of CCD in more than 15,000 pet dogs in the USA.

Owners completed surveys which included questions to test for cognitive decline, such as whether the dog failed to recognise familiar people.

They discovered for dogs older than ten years – the equivalent of a human around the age of 60 – each extra year of life increases the relative risk of developing CCD by more than 50 per cent.

And the chances of your pooch suffering from the condition are nearly 6.5 times higher if they are inactive compared to those who are very active, they found. The authors said their study, which was published in the journal Scientific Reports, does not prove that inactivity causes cognitive decline, and it could in fact be the other way around.

It follows separate research, published earlier this week, that revealed dog owners who spent more time exercising themselves tend to exercise their dogs more.

Dogs who were exercised for at least 90 minutes per day were most likely to have owners who took part in moderate exercise five days a week.

Meanwhile, dogs who were exercised for 0-15 minutes per day were most likely to have owners who didn’t exercise at all.

In the UK, most owners – 41 per cent – said they exercised their dogs for 30-60 minutes each day.

Signs of CCD can also include anxiety, failing to remember routines and previously learned training or house rules.

Some dogs may no longer respond to their name or familiar commands, become irritable, lose their desire to play or stare blankly at walls or at nothing. Another sign can be a dog breaking from its usual sleep pattern or wandering around the house at night.

‘May no longer respond to name’