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Dog Dementia Quiz: the 2-Minute DISHAA Check

There is no single blood test for dog dementia (canine cognitive dysfunction). Vets assess it from the pattern of behavior changes, grouped into six areas known as DISHAA: disorientation, interaction changes, sleep-wake changes, house-soiling, activity changes, and anxiety. This free check walks you through 13 quick questions about those signs, scores them instantly, and gives you a result to print or email and bring to your vet. No email is required to see your result.

The 2-minute DISHAA check

Free · instant result · no email needed

For each behavior, choose how often you see it in your dog. Answer what you can; skip what does not apply.

1At night, is your dog awake and seeming restless, or pacing?
2Has your dog become more vocal at night?
3Does your dog defecate or urinate inside, or not properly signal to go outside?
4Does your dog have a decreased interest in normal activities, including greeting you or showing affection?
5Does your pet show anxiety or fear when entering a new environment?
6Does your pet become anxious when you leave it alone?
7Have you noticed that your dog gets distracted more easily?
8Has your dog become more irritable, fearful, or aggressive with visitors, family, or other animals?
9Does your pet display a lack of interest in playing with toys, family members, or other pets?
10Do you find your pet aimlessly pacing or wandering?
11Has your pet become more reactive or fearful to sights or sounds?
12Has your dog become less responsive to its name and basic commands?
13Does your pet exhibit repetitive behaviors, such as circling, getting "stuck", licking, or star gazing?

What your score means (and what it does not)

A higher score means you are seeing more of the classic signs, more often. It does not diagnose dementia: pain, hearing or vision loss, kidney disease, and other treatable conditions can cause the same behaviors. That is why the result is designed to start a veterinary conversation, not end one. If you can, take a short video of the behavior; it is often the most useful thing you can bring to the appointment.

Learn the signs in depth

Every sign in this check has a full vet-reviewed guide in our dog dementia hub. Start with the DISHAA signs explained, sundowning and night care, or the stages and what to expect.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a test for dog dementia?

There is no single lab test. Vets diagnose canine cognitive dysfunction from the pattern of DISHAA behavior signs, after ruling out medical causes such as pain, hearing or vision loss, and organ disease. A structured checklist like this one helps you describe that pattern clearly.

Is this quiz a diagnosis?

No. It is an at-home observation tool. The same behaviors can come from treatable medical conditions, so the result is meant to be brought to your veterinarian, who can examine your dog and rule those out.

How do I prepare for the vet visit?

Bring your printed or emailed result, note roughly when each behavior started and how often it happens now, list any medications and supplements your dog takes, and if you can, take a short video of the behavior at home.

This check is educational and is not a substitute for a veterinary exam. Reviewed content on the signs themselves lives in the dog dementia hub, authored with Dr. Terry Fossum, DVM, and reviewed by Dr. Curtis Dewey, DVM, DACVIM (Neurology).

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