Dog owner recalls devastating moment she realized her senior pup had dementia — that most owners ignore

Sometimes, it's the quietest moments that speak the loudest, especially when it comes to our pets. In 2022, a short clip featuring her senior dog Thomas was shared by Jade, also known as @wherejadeplays_. The video highlighted a common sign of dementia in senior canines that many pet owners fail to notice at times.

The viral clip showed Thomas, a Jack Russell Terrier, simply staring at the corner of a wall near a washing machine. He stood motionless, focused on the blank space, until Jade gently called his name. Only then did he turn around and respond to her voice. The onscreen text in the video read, "How did you know your dog had dementia?" Meanwhile, the caption added a bittersweet touch, "A common sign for dogs with dementia is staring at walls or in corners. I like to think they’re just watching their favourite show."

The video struck a chord with pet owners everywhere, especially those caring for aging dogs. Viewers flooded the comments with stories of their own senior pets, sharing similar signs they had noticed. @anncino wrote in the comment section, "Mine doesn't do walls or corners. She just stops where she is, stares confusedly, and doesn't move for a few minutes." Another user, @laura_flowers___, remarked, "My dog had dementia and [sic] got lost in our own garden that she had known for 16 years. I’ve never known my heart to hurt so much." @richardgrunn recounted, "I broke seeing this. My 16-year-old dachshund did this before she passed away. Never forgot how it felt seeing her like this." 

@plantladybugcoloring commented, "My Ollie was diagnosed with dementia, and it's hard to accept. He stares at the corners and gets stuck too." Thomas’ quiet stare was more than just a random habit; it was a visible sign of canine cognitive dysfunction, often compared to  Alzheimer's in humans, according to PetMD. Dogs with dementia often become confused, anxious, and forgetful. The changes happen slowly over time. They might wander around, get stuck in corners, or seem lost in their own home. This confusion usually gets worse in the evening, and they may bark more or act restless before bedtime. 

PetMD further mentions common signs of dementia in senior canines that pet parents should look out for. These include wandering aimlessly, getting lost in familiar places, barking unnecessarily at random things, seeming stressed, forgetting where their bowls are, having house accidents, and changes in behavior like being clingy, irritable, or avoiding family. 

If you are certain your dog has dementia, then it is important to follow crucial management steps to ensure the safety of both the dog and yourself. According to the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, these include blocking off unsafe areas like stairs or tight spots behind furniture, respecting your dog’s need for space or company, watching for signs of hearing loss, using nightlights to prevent confusion during nighttime wandering, and managing house accidents with vet checks and doggy diapers if needed.

For more endearing senior dog content, follow @wherejadeplays_ on TikTok.