Look for changes from your animal’s usual behaviour. These groups help organize what you notice; they do not diagnose cognitive dysfunction.
DISHA · Five groups of signs
Your animal may appear lost in familiar surroundings, become stuck behind furniture, go to the wrong side of a door, stare or struggle to locate familiar resources.
You may notice reduced social engagement, withdrawal, increased dependence or reduced tolerance of handling and interaction.
Your animal may wake at night, appear restless or show a change in their usual sleeping and waking pattern.
Your dog may have toileting accidents, changes in previously reliable toileting routines or difficulty with established habits.
Activity: Changes in exploration, play, pacing or ability to settle.
Anxiety: Increased fearfulness, startle responses or difficulty coping with separation and change.
Ageing well · An owner resource