Answered by Dr. Jeff Feinman
The symptoms: being out of it, wandering and getting lost, or hitting things, can be really tough for your pup to live with and for you. What do you do? Well, the first thing you can do is engage your pup as much as possible, so they can get engaged with their environment. The best treatment in my mind is a therapeutic sniff walk, which is you just taking them out and letting them go sniffing, you know, not walking but sniffing around, and through engaging with all the environment for miles around. The sniffing (in people as well) will raise cellular energy and help the body heal faster.
Other symptoms can show, like going to the bathroom in the house instead of outside, symptoms like wandering aimlessly, really any kind of cognitive symptoms like the kind of things you would see in Alzheimer’s for a person. There are many, many treatments, but start with the DHA fish oils. I love Smartzyme, which is a vital DHA, the only species producing algae that may actually help your pet produce their own DHA and help itself. It can be a great, life-saving treatment. There are many other treatments for older dogs. Cholodin is one supplement that is validated as a treatment for dementia.
There are many other things but I cannot stress enough the therapeutic sniff walk. It’s the number one, two, three, and four. Therapeutic sniff walk and the treatment of a good fresh food diet, as I know you’re already feeding.
Hi Jeff Feinman, holistic veterinarian here in Weston, Connecticut answering your questions about your pets, so thank you and we’ll talk soon.
Vist HolisticActions! for more holistic pet care information.
Suggested Treatments:
- sniffing
- engagement
- cholodin supplement
- senilife and other supplements formulated for dementia symptoms
Related Symptoms:
- staring at the wall/door
- sundowners
- inappropriate elimination
- not remembering commands
DISCLAIMER: Holistic Actions! does not provide advice on certified medical treatments. Content is intended for informational purposes only and to equip you with the tools needed for Holistic Medical Decision Making (HMDM). It is not a substitute for clinical assessment, diagnosis, or treatment. Never use content found on the Holistic Actions! website as the basis for ignoring advice from your veterinarian to seek treatment. If you think you may have a veterinary emergency, please call your vet or an animal hospital immediately.
Dr. Jeff
Jeffrey Feinman, BA, VMD, CVH, graduated in 1985 from the University of Pennsylvania and was Penn’s first veterinary dual-degree University Scholar, holding both molecular biology and veterinary degrees. He is the founder of HolisticActions.com and dedicated to pet parent empowerment.
Dr. Jeff is devoted to researching about how to harness the innate power of the individual using Vitality and Balance. He and his wonderful wife Amy live with Archie, a rescue pup, and a Rex cat named Tigger.