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Dementia doesn't just affect us, pets can suffer too

Sunderland Echo

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September 22, 2025

Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a set of symptoms caused by a gradual loss of brain function as a result of age-related changes.

- PAW TIME with PDSA vet nurse Shauna Walsh

Dementia doesn't just impact people; it can also affect pets. Vet charity PDSA is alerting owners of the signs and symptoms to watch out for, to raise awareness of the condition in pets.

Spotting this disease in pets can be more difficult than in people. While humans can have brain scans and memory tests, with pets we usually rely on their symptoms and ruling out other health problems.

For example, high blood pressure in cats can make them confused or change their behaviour, and hearing loss can also make pets seem confused. Still, there are some signs that could indicate your pet may have dementia, including:

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