Should a Dog With Dementia Be Euthanized?



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Known as canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD) or cognitive dysfunction syndrome, dementia in dogs is a degenerative disease which can seriously affect the animal's quality of life. Euthanasia in dogs is the practice of intentionally killing the animal to prevent suffering. Since canine cognitive dysfunction can lead to serious problems, many guardians wonder should a dog with dementia be euthanized? At AnimalWised, we find out how dementia in dogs affects quality of life and whether this condition creates a level of suffering which might result in compassionate assisted dying.
Does a dog with dementia suffer?
Canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD) is a degenerative disorder in dogs which is analogous to conditions such as dementia or Alzheimer's disease in humans. While different dogs will have varying experiences, there is no cure and the symptoms will worsen over time. This can happen quickly or slowly, depending on each clinical case. Some of the symptoms of CCD include:
- Disorientation: the dog may not recognize their family members, wander around the house for no apparent reason, go through the wrong door, urinate or defecate inside the home, bump into obstacles or experience other forms of disorientation.
- Change in sleeping patterns: the dog spends more hours a day sleeping, but less so at night. Instead of sleeping, they may wander around the house, petition their owner for something or carry out other abnormal behaviors.
- No longer partake of previously enjoyable activities: such as interacting with animals and people, playing, walking, etc. They may also refuse food or eat less.
- Stop obeying orders: some dogs without CCD may become disobedient for other reasons, but dogs with dementia will not understand the order or confuse them with the wrong information.
- Stereotypies: performing repetitive actions that don't seem to make sense, such as trying to bury food, sucking their paws or making the motion of drinking without actually doing so.
- Increased vocalizations: may bark or howl at apparently nothing.
- Destructiveness: frustration can lead to breaking objects or carrying out other destructive behaviors, including self-harm.
- Aggression: some dogs will experience fear due to their disorientation and confusion, resulting in aggression towards people or animals they previously loved.
These clinical signs can also indicate different diseases that are more common in older dogs, such as canine kidney failure or osteoarthritis. For this reason, the first thing to do when a dog shows these symptoms is to go to the vet for a general check-up to diagnose the disorder.
If the dog is healthy, the veterinarian will be able to diagnose cognitive dysfunction syndrome by assessing their condition. As we can see, the symptoms are generally neurological, meaning the dog will not necessarily experience physical pain. Any pain or discomfort will be caused by secondary conditions, such as injuries resulting from disorientation.

Should a dog with dementia be euthanized?
As we can see from the symptoms described above, canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome is a neurological disorder which results in behavioral issues. It is not something which necessarily will cause the animal physical pain or suffering. Many dogs can develop CCD and still have a very high quality of life. For this reason, a dog should not be euthanized because they have dementia alone.
Many guardians consider euthanasia because they find the care and upkeep on the dog to be too difficult. For some, this may be valid. For example, an elderly dog owner may struggle to care for their own needs and those of a high-maintenance dog. This does not mean they should be euthanized. Many animal welfare charities and rescue shelters can advise on how to find the right home for a dog with dementia.
We cannot euthanize a dog on our own. Veterinary advice and guidance is required. Euthanasia on any dog is only legal when carried out humanely and by a licensed veterinarian. Owner consent and veterinary approval are both necessary before this can happen. It is potentially legal to euthanize a healthy dog in the US, but this will depend on individual state law. It also must not contravene animal cruelty laws, something which can also vary by state.
For some states, it may be legal to euthanize a dog because they have dementia, even if they can still maintain a decent quality of life. This does not mean you should euthanize a dog due to dementia. We need to try everything we can to mediate and manage their symptoms. As stated above, many dogs can live happy lives after a dementia diagnosis.
Different treatments can be offered to alleviate CCD, based on drugs and a specific diet. Anxiolytics can be used to treat dogs which experience confusion-related stress. We can also implement measures to make the dog's life more comfortable, such as taking them out for more walks, providing comforting food and generally spending more time with them. Cognitive exercises can also be used to make them feel more secure.
Since CCD is degenerative, most dogs will eventually die of natural causes. However, they may develop secondary diseases either concurrently or as an indirect result of their condition. For this reason, we look in the next section over when to euthanize a dog with dementia that avoids animal cruelty.

When to euthanize a dog with dementia
As we have explained, dementia or cognitive dysfunction is not a cause for euthanasia in dogs in itself. It does not usually cause insurmountable physical suffering and it is possible to manage their symptoms to ensure their well-being. It must be taken into account that this disease is related to old age, a vital stage in which it is also more common for other ailments to manifest. These include:
- Kidney failure
- Heart or liver failure
- Osteoarthritis
- Cancer
These diseases can cause very serious damage to the body, leading to an incurable clinical picture and cause suffering that cannot be treated in any way. In these cases, the veterinarian will recommend euthanasia and certify the need to apply it.
While it will not always be the case, there may also be behavioral problems which can be seen as insurmountable. As we have explained, some dogs can become aggressive due to the confusion induced by dementia. This can make them a danger to themselves or others. In these cases, the circumstances may warrant euthanasia as both for the benefit of the dog and as a public health issue.
If you think your dog may be suffering from neurological degeneration, speak to your veterinarian immediately.
This article is purely informative. AnimalWised does not have the authority to prescribe any veterinary treatment or create a diagnosis. We invite you to take your pet to the veterinarian if they are suffering from any condition or pain.
If you want to read similar articles to Should a Dog With Dementia Be Euthanized?, we recommend you visit our Degenerative diseases category.