Table 1.

Main clinical signs associated with canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome. The behavioral and clinical categories are shown in bold.

Mental status and spatial orientation (confusional status) Get lost in a known environment Awaiting the door opening on the wrong side Inability to circumnavigate unknown objects Less interested in environmental stimuli

Relationships (social interaction) Less interested in being touched Ignoring the return of the owner Social behavior is disrupted Increased need for physical contact (is “needy”)

Activity (increased—repetitive) Starring at objects or empty space, fly biting Aimless walking Increased licking behavior (on the owner or objects) Increased vocalization

Activity (diminished) Apathetic, less interested in exploring Seems to not be interested anymore in known stimuli

Appetite Eats more than usual Eats less than usual

Toileting behavior Reduced time spent cleaning itself

Anxiety (irritability) Often irritable or anxious Shows signs of separation anxiety that has never had before Easily irritable

Sleep—awake cycle Short period of sleep interrupted by frequent abrupt awakenings Sleeps more than usual during daytime

Learning and memory Loss of housetraining, urinating or defecating in front of the owner Does not request to go out anymore Despite regular daily activity eliminates only when back home Eliminates where it sleepsIt is incontinent

Learned behavior and commands Struggle in performing a previously learned task Struggle to recognize a member of the family or other known people/animals Struggle to respond to commands Struggle to learn new commands or tasks