Free printable resource
Cognitive Change Observation Checklist
Canine cognitive dysfunction is diagnosed by ruling other things out. What you can usefully bring is an accurate description, not a conclusion.
Veterinarians assessing possible cognitive dysfunction work through a set of behavior categories in conversation with the owner. This checklist follows those categories so you can arrive with observations already organized. It deliberately has no score and no threshold, because the same behaviors are produced by pain, failing sight or hearing, medication effects and several medical conditions, and separating those needs an examination.
Who this is for: Owners preparing to raise cognitive change with a veterinarian.
A note on where these categories come from
The categories below follow the domains used in veterinary cognitive assessment, commonly summarized as disorientation, interactions, sleep and wake cycles, house soiling, activity, and anxiety. That framework is described in veterinary guidance including the AAHA senior care guidelines and the Merck Veterinary Manual.
This is an observation aid, not a clinical instrument. It does not reproduce any scored diagnostic questionnaire and produces no score, because a number generated at home would be misleading and is not what a veterinarian is asking you for.
What to observe, by category
| Category | Examples to look for | What to write down |
|---|---|---|
| Disorientation | Standing on the hinge side of an open door, getting stuck behind furniture, staring at walls, appearing lost in a familiar room | Where in the house, time of day, how long, how she came out of it |
| Interactions | Less greeting, less seeking contact, or unusually clingy. Changed response to her name or to other pets | What changed, with whom, and over how long |
| Sleep and wake cycles | Awake and restless at night, sleeping more by day, pacing after dark | Times, how often per week, what settles her |
| House soiling | Accidents indoors in a previously reliable dog, or asking to go out and then not toileting | Urine or stool, awake or asleep, how soon after going out |
| Activity | Repetitive pacing or circling, aimless wandering, or a general drop in purposeful activity | What the activity looks like, how long it lasts, what interrupts it |
| Anxiety | New fearfulness, distress when separated, restlessness in situations she used to tolerate | The trigger if you can identify one, and what helps |
Rule these out first, with your veterinarian
Pain can resemble cognitive change. A dog who cannot settle, avoids stairs or seems withdrawn may be uncomfortable rather than confused.
Changes in sight or hearing can also cause bumping, startling or apparent disorientation.
Several medical conditions and some medications affect thirst, arousal, sleep and continence. Bring the current medication list, including anything started recently.
Sources
Written against published veterinary guidance. These are the sources behind the urgency and observation guidance on this page.
- Managing Cognitive Dysfunction and Behavioral Anxiety, American Animal Hospital Association
- Medical Causes of Behavioral Signs, Merck Veterinary Manual
- Age and Behavior, American Animal Hospital Association
- Living With a Blind or Deaf Pet: Tips from the Vet, American Animal Hospital Association
Buddylio helps you notice and organize what you see. It doesn't diagnose or treat anything, and it isn't a substitute for your veterinarian. If you think your dog is unwell, in pain, or in danger, call your vet or an emergency clinic.
Free to use and free to share. Veterinary teams, shelters and rescues are welcome to link to this page or print it for clients.