Hi Nancy,

Thanks for your question.

It sounds like you care very much for your sweet older dog! You have already done lots of things to maintain his quality of life. It is very common for older dogs to experience behaviour changes, especially if they are also dealing with a loss of hearing and vision. This is similar in some ways to dementia experienced by elderly people. Medications can certainly help, including those designed specifically for cognitive dysfunction. Your veterinarian can review this with you to determine if they are appropriate for your dog. There are also several supplements (specifically, anti-oxidants) that could provide some benefit. Pet food manufacturers have also recently developed diets for dogs that may improve brain function in ageing dogs. There are indeed costs associated with these options, which needs to be balanced with the possible impact on maintaining your dog’s quality of life. I would also suggest that you continue to provide your dog with exercise outdoors and daily interactions to keep his mind stimulated. I hope this gives you some direction.

Sincerely,

Dr. Kim Hester