A study conducted by American researchers concluded that shortening the stride length of the front legs may be an early sign of dementia in elderly dogs, similar to what happens in humans.
The investigation, published in the scientific journal Frontiers in Veterinary Science, followed 88 senior and geriatric dogs over the final years of their lives. The animals were evaluated every six months through a series of examinations designed to measure cognition, mobility, vision, hearing, and physical strength.
During the assessments, the researchers filmed the dogs as they walked along a five-meter course, allowing analysis of speed and stride length. The results showed that the front legs’ strides tended to become progressively shorter as cognitive performance declined.
According to the team led by Natasha J. Olby, cognitive decline proved to be a more decisive factor in reducing strides than the animals’ own age.
“We found that the length of the front legs’ strides decreases with age, but, more importantly, it decreases with worsening cognitive deficit. The impact of cognitive decline is greater than the effect of age alone,” explains the researcher.
The dogs included in the study were part of the Longitudinal Study of Canine Neuroaging project and had an average age of 12.7 years when they were enrolled in the investigation.
The scientists found that a ten-point increase on the canine dementia rating scale was associated with an average 1.2% reduction in the relative length of the front legs’ strides. Interestingly, no significant changes were observed in the hind legs.
According to the authors, this difference could be related to the distinct role of each limb set in locomotion. While the hind legs are primarily responsible for propulsion, the front legs perform more complex functions, such as changing direction and braking, requiring greater brain integration of information.
The study also concluded that chronic pain, often associated with joint problems, contributes to the shortening of stride length.
The researchers argue that observing dogs’ gait could become a useful tool for the early detection of cognitive changes. Thus, they recommend that owners seek veterinary advice if they notice the animal starting to take shorter steps with the front paws.
Although canine dementia currently has no cure, there are interventions and lifestyle changes that can help improve the quality of life for affected animals. Moreover, gait changes may also be related to other treatable conditions, such as arthritis or cervical problems, reinforcing the importance of timely veterinary assessment.
