A 15-year-old dog with dementia barked at the wall in the middle of the night and could no longer go on long walks like before. His vet put him on special food and medication. His owner usually settled him first on a dog bed on the couch, sat with him until he fell asleep, then slept downstairs on a mattress with him, because if the dog woke and found him gone, he started barking again and got scared.
NewsweekCaring for a senior dog (dementia, blindness, diapers)
This needs your vet’s judgement. This page only shares other owners’ experiences and public information. It is not medical advice.
What people do around the world
「My old dog has started showing signs of dementia.」
Oct 2026Original post・Reddit
Do not suddenly rearrange the home; keep bowls in one place
PDSA advice for blind dogs
PDSA「My old dog has become incontinent, and I bought diapers, but they pulled them off.」
Oct 2026Original post・Bluesky
Keep them on a lead and use your voice so they know you are near
PDSA advice for blind dogs
PDSA「Life with a senior dog: I'm often cleaning poop off the dining room floor.」
Oct 2026Original post・Bluesky
Block off stairs and add night lights
Cornell vet school on senior dog dementia
Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine「Lately my senior dog keeps scratching up its pee pad. Why does it do this? Do other dogs do it too?」
Oct 2026Original post・Yahoo!知恵袋
Keep mealtimes and walks on a set routine
Cornell vet school on senior dog dementia
Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine「My dog, about 13, is losing its sight. I keep it at an easy-to-carry weight and log its peeing daily.」
Oct 2026Original post・marumop.exblog.jp
「This month I took my 14-year-old dog, who has several health problems, for the usual monthly grooming.」
Oct 2026Original post・note
Lay non-slip rugs where they usually lie and sleep
Dog Aging Project tips for owners
Dog Aging Project「After my 13-year-old dog went blind and kept bumping into walls, I fixed the furniture in place and laid non-slip and bumper mats.」
Oct 2026Original post・note
Put extra pee pads around the toilet area and use diapers if needed
Niigata Prefecture guide for senior pets
新潟県 下越動物保護管理センター「I care for two old dogs: one barks at night and wears diapers, the other sleeps all day, and I keep checking they're breathing.」
Oct 2026Original post・note
If they cry at night or mix up day and night, film it and ask your usual vet
Niigata Prefecture guide for senior pets
新潟県 下越動物保護管理センター「My old dog has weak legs, is blind and incontinent, and I'm often woken at night, not knowing how long this will go on.」
Oct 2026Original post・note
AVMA: Senior pets brochure
American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)Updated 29 Oct 2026.