Your Pets Can Get Dementia, Too—Here’s How to Prevent It

Reviewed by Dietitian Casey Wing, RD, CD

Key Points

• Regular physical activity can help support your pet’s cognitive health as they age.

• Mental stimulation, like food puzzles or scent games, may slow cognitive decline in pets.

• A balanced diet with omega-3s, antioxidants and MCTs may promote brain health in aging pets.

It may sound alarming, but your pets can develop a form of dementia. You may notice that your once-energetic, independent dog starts clinging to you more than usual. Or maybe you find your cat getting stuck in corners or staring at walls. These behavioral changes could be signs of cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS), a condition similar to dementia in humans.

“While some changes in behavior are expected as pets get older, signs like confusion, disrupted sleep or changes in house-training habits shouldn’t automatically be dismissed as normal aging,” says Zac Pilossoph, D.V.M.

While there’s no guaranteed way to prevent dementia in pets, certain everyday habits may help support their cognitive health as they age. Ahead, veterinarians share four ways to help keep your furry companions mentally sharp.

1. Keep Your Pet Active

Regular physical activity isn’t just good for your pet’s physical health; it may also help keep their brain sharp as they age. Karen “Doc” Halligan, D.V.M., points to a Dog Aging Project study involving more than 15,000 dogs that found a strong link between physical activity and better cognitive health.

Specifically, researchers found that inactive dogs had more than six times the odds of developing cognitive dysfunction compared with very active dogs, even after accounting for factors like age and overall health. “Because these findings were observational, however, they don’t prove that exercise prevents dementia,” she explains.

Still, regular movement can support your pet’s overall health. For dogs, that might mean daily walks, a gentle game of fetch or tug-of-war, or swimming if they’re comfortable in the water. As pets get older, however, it’s important to adjust activities to their energy levels and physical abilities.

“For senior dogs, this might mean shorter, more frequent walks rather than one long outing,” says Pilossoph.

Holly Dutton, D.V.M., recommends gentle play with a wand toy along the floor to help older cats stay active without putting too much strain on their joints.

2. Challenge Their Brain with Games and Enriching Activities

When it comes to staving off cognitive decline in both humans and furry friends, mental stimulation is key.

A 2021 study in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association found that older dogs who participated in a four-week training and enrichment program showed less worsening of cognitive dysfunction symptoms over the following year compared with dogs that didn’t participate.

“Activities like food puzzles, scent games and short training sessions give pets opportunities to use their senses and problem-solving skills,” Pilossoph says. “These activities can also be adapted to a pet’s physical abilities as they age.”

Dutton recommends keeping these mental stimulation sessions short and friendly to help avoid frustration and disengagement. “Keep it manageable and help them succeed—the activity should be enjoyable rather than frustrating,” she notes.

3. Feed Them a Brain-Healthy Diet

What your pet eats may also support their brain as they age. According to Halligan, certain nutrients, including omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants and medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), have shown promise in supporting cognitive function in older dogs.

MCTs, for example, provide an alternative source of energy for the brain, while omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants may help protect brain cells from inflammation and oxidative damage. Research suggests that some specially formulated diets containing these nutrients may improve cognitive performance and certain behavioral symptoms in aging dogs.

“A complete, appropriately formulated diet helps meet their changing nutritional needs, while maintaining a healthy weight supports mobility and overall physical health,” Pilossoph says. “Pet owners should work with their veterinarian to determine whether any dietary adjustments may be beneficial as their pet enters their senior years.”

4. Create Social Opportunities for Your Pets

Spending quality time with your pet may do more than strengthen your bond—it provides your fur baby with emotional comfort, which may indirectly help support their cognitive health.

A 2026 study in Frontiers in Veterinary Science found that dogs who regularly participated in activities with their owners showed fewer signs of cognitive decline, particularly among toy breeds and mixed-breed dogs. Researchers suggested that these experiences shared with their owners may provide valuable mental stimulation. Still, the findings don’t prove that social interaction prevents dementia.

For dogs, that might mean taking a leisurely walk with a familiar canine companion, enjoying gentle play or spending some extra one-on-one time together. Cats may benefit from interactive play, brushing (if they enjoy it), or simply relaxing beside their favorite person.

More socialization doesn’t always translate to “better.” You know your pet best, and older ones may become less tolerant of unfamiliar animals, crowded environments or prolonged activity.

Halligan recommends letting your pet set the pace and watching for signs that they’re becoming overwhelmed. “I remind owners that social engagement doesn’t have to mean constant activity. Sometimes the most valuable interaction is simply spending quiet, meaningful time together,” she says.

Other Tips to Support Your Pet’s Health

As a pet parent and caretaker, there’s no shortage of what you can do to help your furry companion stay healthy and comfortable as they age. In addition to the healthy habits above, here are a few more ways veterinarians recommend supporting your pet’s well-being:

• Create low-stress routines in your home. Just like humans, pets appreciate routine, as it can help them feel safe and cared for. “Predictable schedules, familiar environments and avoiding unnecessary major changes reduce anxiety and cognitive load,” Halligan says. “A calm, structured home supports better sleep and orientation.”

• Schedule regular veterinary checkups. Most senior pets benefit from examinations approximately every six months, Pilossoph says. “For senior dogs, routine lab work, including bloodwork, urinalysis and additional testing based on their health history, becomes increasingly important,” he notes. Blood pressure and thyroid testing are especially worth discussing for older cats, Dutton says.

• Watch for subtle behavior changes. “Please don’t dismiss a behavior change as ‘just getting old,'” Dutton says. “Take a short video or jot down what you’re noticing, including when it happens, and share it with your veterinarian.” For instance, an uptick in nighttime pacing, confusion in familiar surroundings, changes in sleep patterns and house-training accidents can all signal early onset of cognitive dysfunction.

• Don’t overlook underlying medical conditions. Arthritis, dental disease, kidney disease, thyroid disorders and vision or hearing loss can cause symptoms that resemble dementia, Dutton says. A veterinary evaluation can help identify treatable problems.

• Make your home senior-friendly with accessibility modifications. As your pet ages, they may need more support, and that’s OK. Add nonslip rugs, provide ramps or steps when appropriate, make food and water easily accessible, and consider low-entry litter boxes for older cats, Dutton says. All of these changes can help protect your pet from falling and help them remain independent as they get older.

Our Expert Take

As much as we’d like to think our furry friends will live forever, the reality is that they can experience cognitive decline as they age, just like humans. While there’s no guaranteed way to prevent CDS, there are plenty of ways to support your pet’s brain and overall health. Making time for regular physical activity, helping them engage in games that stimulate their brains, providing a balanced diet, and spending quality time together can all help promote healthy aging.

Just as important: Be sure to pay attention to any unusual changes in your pet’s behavior and flag them with your veterinarian. After all, our pets aren’t all that different from us, and they deserve to be mentally sharp in their golden years.

Read the original article on EatingWell