Your dog slowing down? It’s not always the joints to blame.

Sometimes slowed movement is about brain function.

Noticed your senior dog doesn’t run for treats with the same enthusiasm anymore? It’s not always about physical condition or joint issues.

A new study shows that a dog’s walking speed might be linked to their cognitive health – things like memory, attention, and brain performance.

We already know this about humans: slower walking can signal declining brain function. Scientists wondered if the same applies to dogs. Turns out – it does.

95 dogs, young and old. Researchers measured how fast they walked on a leash and how quickly they ran for a treat. Senior dogs also got tested for memory, attention, and problem-solving skills.

The results?

Dogs that ran more slowly for the reward scored lower on memory and attention tests.

Pain mattered, but it didn’t explain everything.

Not every slowdown is arthritis. The brain ages too. And it can slow dogs down just as much.

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Mondino A, Khan M, Case B, Fefer G, Panek WK, Gruen ME, Olby NJ (2023). Winning the race with aging: age-related changes in gait speed and its association with cognitive performance in dogs. Front. Vet. Sci. 10:1150590. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1150590