An international team of canine cognition experts has published new guidelines to help veterinarians diagnose and monitor canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CCDS), also known as canine dementia. The guidelines aim to standardize the approach for identifying and tracking this age-related condition in senior dogs.
“We are seeing CCDS diagnoses with increasing frequency, but there isn’t a standardized method for the diagnosis,” said Natasha Olby, Dr. Kady M. Gjessing and Rahna M. Davidson Distinguished Chair in Gerontology at North Carolina State University, who led the working group and is the corresponding author of the publication. “We wanted to propose that standardized method as a starting point that can be built upon over time.”
CCDS shares similarities with Alzheimer’s disease in humans, presenting as a chronic, progressive neurodegenerative syndrome associated with aging. Affected dogs may experience changes such as altered activity levels, disrupted sleep, anxiety, house soiling, and problems with learning and memory.
“The good news here is that there is increased interest in finding treatments for CCDS,” Olby added. “But in order to develop those treatments we must first be sure there’s an agreed upon definition of the condition.”
The new guidelines include a diagnostic flowchart designed to help veterinarians assess cases at two different levels of certainty. The document also outlines three severity stages of CCDS, from mild symptoms to severe impairment.
Veterinarians are encouraged to begin monitoring dogs for cognitive changes using routine surveys starting at around seven years old. If behavioral issues are noted by caregivers, a more detailed questionnaire should follow, with ongoing checks every six months. For all dogs aged ten years or older, biannual use of the CCDS scale is recommended.
Physical and neurological examinations—including brain imaging when possible—are advised to rule out other conditions before confirming a diagnosis of CCDS.
Olby explained the collaborative nature of the group: “I selected the participants in this working group from experts in field who are either actively working on CCDS or who historically have set the standards – from those who first defined it to those who translated it into clinical practice.” She added: “We recognize that this document is just the start of the process, but it was developed as a working live document that can be added to over time as our understanding improves.”
The guidelines were published on December 24, 2025 in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association and received partial support from the American Kennel Club’s Canine Health Foundation (grant #03440).
