Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS) in Elderly Dogs and Cats
Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS) in Elderly Dogs and Cats
This webinar has been written and designed by a clinical animal behaviourist who is also a qualified registered veterinary nurse, with first-hand experience of living with and supporting elderly dogs and cats through the various stages of cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS). Often referred to as dog dementia or cat dementia, CDS is an increasingly recognised condition that affects senior pets, and early awareness can make a real difference to their quality of life.
The webinar has been designed to develop the skill set of pet professionals but would be equally beneficial to any caregiver who needs to provide greater support for their senior dog or cat.
Written with the benefit of practical veterinary and canine behaviour experience, informed by current research.
Learning outcomes:
- Gain a greater understanding of what cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS) is, how it affects the brain and the impact it has on behaviour in elderly dogs and cats.
- Learn to recognise the signs of dog dementia and feline CDS at the various stages of development, including the physical and emotional changes that often arise.
- Develop the ability to use simple and effective screening tools to help identify and highlight early signs of cognitive decline.
- Build the confidence to begin an informed discussion with a veterinary surgeon about the care and support needs of a senior dog or cat.
- Learn practical strategies to help, support and improve the quality of life for pets living with CDS.
This course includes:
- 4 modules
- Bitesize lessons
- Access on all devices
- Lifetime access
- Recorded webinar
- Downloads
- References & resources
- No assessments, just quizzes
- Certificate of completion
- CPD transcript
- Tutorial & technical support
Who this course is for:
- Dog and cat carers / sitters
- Animal trainers
- Rescue centre workers
- Veterinary nurses
- Dog walkers
- Dog groomers
- Dedicated dog or cat owners
- Vets
- Pet professionals
Before you enrol:
This course includes videos with English subtitles. We design our courses to work with the way you learn — not against it. Whether you are neurodivergent, have a sensory or physical difference, or simply prefer flexible ways to study, the features below are here to support you.
- Reading Ruler: Highlights one line at a time to help maintain focus. Toggle it on/off from the toolbar at the top of each lesson.
- Table of Contents: Longer topics display a Contents button in the toolbar for quick navigation between sections.
- Dark Mode: Reduces eye strain in low-light environments. Toggle it from the sidebar panel (top-right icons).
- Reading Time: Each topic shows an estimated reading time in the toolbar so you can plan your study sessions.
- Auto-Generated Subtitles: Available on all of our videos (approximately 95% accurate). Enable them using the CC button in the video player.
- Video Transcripts: Text versions of video content with timestamps, allowing you to follow along or revisit specific sections.
- Adjustable Playback: Video quality adjusts automatically based on your connection. Use the gear icon for manual control, or adjust playback speed to suit your pace.
- Feature Boxes: Key information is presented in visually distinct boxes, helping break down content and improve focus for neurodivergent learners or those with reading difficulties.
- Colour Contrast: Our course materials use high-contrast colour schemes to aid readability, particularly for learners with colour blindness or visual impairments.
- Downloadable Resources: Slides and supporting materials accompany webinars, enabling you to take notes and refer back at your own pace.
About the instructor:
Course curriculum:
-
Module 1: What is Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS)?
- Welcome
- Part One
-
Module 2: How do I Identify CDS?
- Part Two
-
Module 3: How to Support Cats and Dogs with CDS
- Part Three
- Multiple Choice Questions Quiz
-
Summary
- Summary & References Updated
- CPD Transcript
- Course Feedback
- Want to Learn More?
Student reviews:
- Students appreciated how the bite-sized modules made complex CDS information easy to understand and retain.
- Reviewers felt more confident managing their own elderly pets after learning practical environmental modifications and retraining techniques.
- Students and professionals valued having access to research papers and the Alzheimer's connection for deeper learning.
- Learners praised the structured, step-by-step course design that built knowledge gradually without feeling overwhelming.
Based on 15 published student reviews across all star ratings for this course.
Elaine M.
VerifiedVery informative course
Caroline's courses are very informative and good to have a better understanding of CDS. Visuals and pace of course is great. Lots of information and solutions to help our furry friends. This will help me in my future career and would definitely recommend Caroline's courses to others, and will be back to do more myself.
Stacey P.
VerifiedInformative, easily understood
I really enjoyed this course and as a veterinary nurse that has a soft spot for the older dogs I can definitely use the information I have learnt to educate clients
Hayley B.
VerifiedUseful
I found this helpful and insightful. Would recommend as a starter into CDS learning
Amanda J B.
VerifiedExcellent and easy to understand course
I found this course very helpful for both my animal behaviour studies and my own cats, a couple who are now at the life stage where cognitive decline is more relevant. The course was easy to understand, and the modules built knowledge gradually without feeling overwhelming.
I especially liked having access to the research papers at the end of the modules, as they support further learning. The course has helped me understand behavioural and cognitive changes in ageing pets, both academically and personally.
I would definitely recommend this course to students, behaviour professionals, and pet caregivers.
Kim M.
VerifiedCDS in elderly dogs and cats
Thank you once again Caroline for giving us further knowledge of an under diagnosed and under appreciated condition.
Excellent ideas of how simple modifications of our pets environment can make their daily lives easier.
Thinking about how you may need to re train the brain to carryout tasks that used to be a given, such as toilet training is something I will be passing on to our clients during vet nurse health checks at work.
I will be recommending your course to anyone trying to get to grips with their senior pets behavioural changes due to CDS.
Deb B.
VerifiedVery useful information to anyone - caregiver or professional
It was informative, easy to take in because of bite-sized lessons.
Keep growing — CPD courses chosen for you…
Canine Separation Anxiety
by Caroline Clark
- 6 Modules
- Lifetime access
- Recorded Webinar
- Downloads
Managing Safe Interactions Between Dogs
by Caroline Clark
- 6 Modules
- Lifetime access
- Recorded Webinar
- Downloads
Running Successful Puppy Socialisation Events
by Caroline Clark
- 5 Modules
- Lifetime access
- Recorded Webinar
- Download guides & templates