Walking slowly linked to dementia in older dogs

According to a new study from North Carolina State University dogs showing signs of slowing down physically also slow down mentally just as we humans do. Researchers assessed senior dogs testing gait speed off lead along with additional cognitive testing tasks.

The researchers noted that body size and limb length did not affect gait speed. Leash length did correlate with gait speed although once off leash it did not. Joint pain did not seem to make a difference either to walking speed but as none of the dogs involved in the study had severe osteoarthritis more studies may need to be done with dogs living with the condition.

NOTE: In humans gait speed is recognised in geriatric evaluation and a decreasing speed can be an indicator of cognitive decline and dementia.