Behavioural and cognitive changes in aged pet dogs: No effects of an enriched diet and lifelong training.

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, s

SUBMITTER: Chapagain D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7494100 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature