Just like us humans, as our four-legged friends grow older, they may experience health issues ranging from arthritis to cancer. But what many pet owners aren’t prepared for are the behavioral changes that often arise in their elderly dogs. A component of canine cognitive dysfunction or dog dementia, sundowning (or sundowner’s syndrome) is one such condition that impacts many dogs as they age. And sundowning in dogs presents itself much like Alzheimer’s disease in humans.

“Just like with humans, sundowning in dogs is believed to be caused by age-related issues such as the breakdown of the central nervous system, oxidative stress and brain cell death,” explains Dr. Stephen Katz, a veterinarian practicing more than 30 years and founder of the Bronx Veterinary Center in New York. “Unfortunately, it’s often all just a part of the aging process for both dogs and people.”

Symptoms of Sundowning in Dogs

Is your dog getting lost in the yard? Could it be sundowning? Photography ©CatLane | Getty Images.

According to Dr. Adrienne Pincetl, associate veterinarian at University Veterinary Hospital and Diagnostic Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, recent studies have shown that both dogs and cats experience physiologic changes to their brains and central nervous systems as they age, which may account for behavioral changes and symptoms of cognitive dysfunction.

“These symptoms can include wandering, getting lost in the house or yard, or getting stuck places, such as behind furniture. They may also exhibit pacing, restlessness or other repetitive behavior … and there can also be a regression in learned behaviors, including house training, so more accidents may be observed,” she adds. “Anecdotally, many people report that there’s an increase in this type of behavior in the evening and night-time hours, similar to the ‘sundowner’s syndrome’ observed in humans.”

Dr. Katz adds that sundowning in dogs may also exhibit as barking for seemingly no reason, becoming clingy to owners or demonstrating anxiety-related behaviors like panting. “Quite often, there’s also an increase in irritability, and some dogs may even become aggressive,” he warns.

Is It Sundowning or Something Else?

However, another common side effect of getting older — loss of vision and/or hearing — can also cause similar symptoms. “It can be difficult to determine whether an animal is scared and confused at night because of cognitive dysfunction, or because their limited vision is impacted by the lack of light … or they may just be acting differently because they are arthritic and uncomfortable,” Dr. Pincetl adds.

Managing Sundowning in Dogs

According to Dr. Katz, while there’s no known cure for the symptoms of sundowning in dogs, there are strategies to help your dog manage these changes in behavior, including medications like Selegiline to help increase dopamine levels in the brain, a change in diet to improve digestive health and limit accidents, or anything that might help improve your dog’s cognitive performance, such as puzzle toys or even certain brands of dog food. “It has been shown that dogs that get regular mental stimulation as they age, like new toys or learning new tricks, maintain a better ability to learn — and may even experience a delay in mental decline,” Dr. Pincetl agrees.

Scott R. Sheaffer, a certified canine behavior consultant and owner of USA Dog Behavior, LLC in Texas, notes that one of the best things you can do for your dog during this stage of life is reduce the number of triggers that might cause anxiety to keep your pet as comfortable and relaxed as possible. “For starters, you’ll want to provide plenty of structure in your dog’s day and keep his daily routine predictable for him … so he should be fed or walked or go to bed in the same order and around the same time every single day,” he advises.

What Not to Do About Sundowning in Dogs

One thing you shouldn’t do when it comes to sundowning in dogs, however, is attempt to discipline or punish your dog for undesirable behaviors like suddenly having accidents in the house.

“Canine cognitive dysfunction is under-diagnosed and misdiagnosed in a lot of dogs … and while we’ve made great strides in understanding how Alzheimer’s affects humans, we’re just now starting to understand how dogs are impacted by similar issues as they age,” Scott notes. “As a result, sometimes people think their dog needs to start a new obedience training regimen in order to improve his behavior — but the only thing that’s going to do is make your dog even more anxious.”

Some Final Thoughts on Sundowning in Dogs

When it comes to sundowning in dogs, experts agree the best thing to do for your dog in his later years is to continue to provide him with a healthy diet and ample exercise, a predictable routine and mental stimulation, and medication when appropriate to keep him as comfortable as possible — particularly in the evening hours. “Although it’s not possible to completely reverse the clinical signs associated with this condition, it is possible to maintain a good quality of life — for both the animal and the owner — as your pet experiences his “golden years,’” Dr. Pincetl concludes.

Thumbnail: Photography ©Akchamczuk | Thinkstock.

About the author

Jennifer Lesser is a New Jersey-based freelance writer. A marathoner, triathlete, and Taekwondo black belt, she specializes in health and wellness — for people and canines — and has written for magazines and websites including Whole Dog Journal, Health, The Spruce Pets, Weight Watchers and Animal Sheltering. She is the proud pet parent of a rescued Cocker Spaniel/Shih Tzu mix named Miles, who has become her favorite running partner. Visit her online at jenniferlesser.com.

Read more about senior dogs and aging in dogs on Dogster.com:

• How to Make Life Happier and Healthier for Your Senior Dog
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Depending on where you live, snake bites on dogs can pose a real threat. There are about 20 kinds of venomous snakes throughout the United States. These include rattlesnakes and copperheads, most commonly found in areas with dry marsh, mountain and pine forest.

Different types of snake bites on dogs

Snake bites on dogs vary in severity. Photography © adogslifephoto | iStock / Getty Images Plus.

There are about 20 venomous snakes throughout the United States, but not all species of snakes are dangerous. Of course, it depends where you live, but according to Venombyte.com, there is at least one kind of venomous snake in every state in the U.S. except for Alaska.

“Non-poisonous snakes, like the garter snake, don’t have fangs. They have rows of teeth and they do not produce toxic venom,” says Dr. Travis Arndt, director of Animal Medical Center of Mid-America.

This distinction is crucial when it comes to snake bites on dogs, Dr. Arndt explains. “So, if you or your dog are bitten by a non-poisonous snake, you won’t see the two puncture wounds that you would see from a venomous snake. A non-poisonous bite can still become infected, so you will want to contact your veterinarian right away if your dog has been bitten.”

What snake bites on dogs are especially dangerous?

The severity of snake bites on dogs often has to do with the type of snake. According to Dr. Arndt, there are a few snakes whose bites can be particularly fatal and dog owners should watch out for them.

“Bites from a venomous snake, like the copperhead, water moccasin, rattlesnake or Eastern coral, require immediate medical attention,” Dr. Arndt explains.

Copperhead snakes can be found along the Eastern seaboard spanning from New York to Nebraska. Water moccasin snakes — also known as cottonmouths — have an exceptionally dangerous bite that can lead to death. They’re most commonly found in marshes, swamps, warm streams and lakes on the east coast.

Similarly, rattlesnake bites can cause hemorrhaging. There are a few species of rattlesnakes, but they typically live in the southeastern states of the U.S., including the coastal regions of Florida. Lastly, the Eastern coral snake has some of the most potent venom in North America. However, they are nocturnal and not really known for striking humans or dogs. The Eastern coral snake can be found in places like Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana.

Symptoms of snake bites on dogs

A key part of knowing if a dog is suffering from a snake bite is witnessing the snake bite happen or physically seeing the snake. There are some symptoms to look out for when it comes to snake bites on dogs.

“If your dog has been bitten by a snake, you may notice puncture wounds from fangs or from the rows of teeth,” Dr. Arndt explains. “There will be pain and swelling around the bite area, and your dog may have increased salivation, vomiting, diarrhea or respiratory problems.”

In cases of bites that have caused localized damage, symptoms may include swelling or bruising around the bite, bleeding around the wound and visible pain. In cases of bites that have caused systemic effects, symptoms may include clotting abnormalities and seizures.

Other potential symptoms of snake bites on dogs might include shaking and tremors, excessive salivation (known as ptyalism), rapid and shallow breathing, tissue damage, discoloration and bleeding from wound, vomiting, blood in urine, incontinence, dilated pupils, muscle contractions, loss of bodily function (ataxia), limb weakness (tetraparesis), collapse and paralysis.

Diagnosing snake bites on dogs

Knowing what species of snake did the biting is the easiest route to diagnosing snake bites on dogs. That’s the easiest way to establish if snake bites on dogs are poisonous or totally harmless. But that can be hard.

“Most of the time the diagnosis of snake bite is made because the owner or someone else witnessed the bite,” says Dr. Arndt. “Seeing the puncture wounds can be difficult because of the swelling and pain produced by the bite.”

This is one of the many reasons why it’s so important to supervise your dog when outside. 

Treatment for snake bites on dogs

Treatment for snake bites on dogs is really dependent on the type of snake bite. As Dr. Arndt says, there is no universal anti-venom, unfortunately.

“While anti-venom is available, many times dogs are not treated with it,” he explains. “This is because there is not a universal anti-venom and the cost can be prohibitive. Most pets are treated symptomatically for pain, swelling and infection. If respiratory distress occurs, anti-venom is generally used.”

Other treatment options can include fluids through IV, antivenin, pain relief medication and, of course, very close monitoring of the dogs’ symptoms and response to medication.

Prognosis for snake bites on dogs

The most important part of treating snake bites on dogs is getting it done quickly. In most cases where dogs bitten by snakes receive veterinary treatment, the odds of survival and recovery are good. But waiting to treat snake bites on dogs can cause massive repercussions.

“Dogs that receive veterinary treatment quickly have a very good prognosis,” Dr. Arndt says. “Delaying treatment even for just a few hours can be deadly.”

How to avoid snake bites on dogs in the first place

So, how do you avoid all the awful stuff associated with snake bites on dogs in the first place? Prevention is a huge part of keeping your dog safe from snake bites and ensuring that he doesn’t suffer a snake bite.

“Keep your grass cut short and keep your yard tidy to reduce the chances of a snake hanging out near your home,” Dr. Arndt says. “If you enjoy hiking with your dog or taking him to places where you may come in contact with snakes, keep your dog on a leash and stick to the trail.”

Steering clear of tall grass is also key (which is a crucial tip for avoiding other harmful animals and insects that can bite like spiders and ticks).

“Avoid tall grasses and places where snakes hide,” Dr. Arndt adds. “You may even consider a training class to teach your dog to stay away from snakes.”

Other keys to preventing snake bites on dogs include —

1. Snakes follow the food source, so look for any holes in the earth (created by mice, rabbits, voles, etc.), and make sure they are filled in. Control mice and other rodents. If you have a bird feeder, keep it far away from the house as it attracts mice, voles, etc.
2. Regularly check and clean behind patio furniture, potted plants, etc.
3. Stack woodpiles 2 feet off the ground.
4. Be aware of the venomous snakes in your area by checking out this list here.

About the author

Stephanie Osmanski is a freelance writer and social media consultant who specializes in health and wellness content. Her words have appeared in Seventeen, Whole Dog Journal, Parents Magazine and more. She is currently pursuing an MFA in Creative Writing at Stony Brook Southampton and writing a memoir. She lives in New York with her Pomsky, Koda, who is an emotional support animal training to be a certified therapy dog.

Read more about dog health and care on Dogster.com:

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