Abstract
Dogs demonstrate behavioural changes and cognitive decline during aging. Compared to laboratory dogs, little is known about aging in pet dogs exposed to different environments and nutrition. In this study, we examined the effects of age, an enriched diet and lifelong training on different behavioural and cognitive measures in 119 pet dogs (>6yrs). Dogs were maintained on either an enriched diet or a control diet for one year. Lifelong training was calculated using a questionnaire where owners filled in their dog’s training experiences to date. Before commencing the diet and after one year of dietary treatment, they were tested in the Modified Vienna Canine Cognitive Battery (MVCCB) consisting of 11 subtests to examine correlated individual differences in a set of tasks measuring general, social and physical cognition and related behaviours. Fourty two behavioural variables were coded and were subjected to principle component analyses for variable reduction. Twelve subtest level components and two Z-transformed variables were subjected to exploratory factor analysis which resulted in six final factors: Problem solving, Trainability, Sociability, Boldness, Activity-independence and Dependency. Problem solving, Sociability, Boldness, and Dependency showed a linear decline with age, suggesting that the MVCCB can be used as a tool to measure behavioural and cognitive decline in aged pet dogs. An enriched diet and lifelong training had no effect on these factors, calling attention to the fact that the real world impact of nutritional and other interventions in possibly counteracting the effects of aging, should be further investigated in pet dogs living under diverse conditions, in order to understand their ultimate effects.
Highlights
As we grow older, we experience changes in speed processing [1,2,3], attention [4, 5], memory [6], reasoning [7], executive functioning [8,9,10], personality [11], emotion [12] and motivation [13]
The animals were fed with a diet enriched in antioxidants (Vitamin C, Vitamin E & Polyphenols), DHA, Phosphatidylserine and tryptophan, and we examined whether this nutrient cocktail had any effect on the behavioural and cognitive measures of pet dogs aged over 6 years
The objectives of the present study were: 1) to evaluate cross-sectional behavioural and cognitive changes that appear with age using a newly created battery of tests and 2) to assess the effectiveness of an enriched diet in counteracting age-dependent behavioural and cognitive changes in comparison to a control diet, 3) to evaluate whether lifelong training helps to slow down the aging of different behavioural and cognitive measures in aged pet dogs
Summary
We experience changes in speed processing [1,2,3], attention [4, 5], memory [6], reasoning [7], executive functioning [8,9,10], personality [11], emotion [12] and motivation [13]. Some dogs age in a way that may not directly affect their day-to-day functioning as pets, or their activities and relationship with their owners (successful agers), while another part of the aging dog population develops behavioural changes, cognitive impairment and dementia comparable to neuro-pathological aging in humans (Alzheimer’s disease) [27]. Laboratory dogs live in a consistent and controlled environment, whereas pet dogs share the human environment and lifestyle. This includes being exposed to the same pollutants and risk factors of infections as well as a broad range of behavioural and cognitive challenges, and in many cases comparable physical activity levels [28]. Pet dogs are considered as a more suitable model than laboratory dogs to study different physiological and psychological changes that accompany human aging, and to test various preventive approaches that may hinder cognitive decline
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