Woman Shows Heartbreaking Reality of Dog Dementia: ‘Walk in Little Circles’

A heartbreaking viral video has been shedding light on a lesser-known dog health condition—dementia.

Footage of Buddy, a dog recently diagnosed with dementia, has broken hearts as he is seen walking in circles in the backyard, something he has only started doing since his condition worsened.

The video of Buddy, posted by owner @piayboyfartii on TikTok, has gained more than 5 million views and prompted lots of comments offering sympathy and support.

“Watching your dog who recently got diagnosed with dementia forget everything, even his last steps which causes him to walk in little circles,” Buddy’s owner wrote in the text overlay, adding in the caption: “I wish it was me instead, little guy.”

Newsweek reached out to @piayboyfartii via TikTok for comment.

Dementia in dogs, also referred to as canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD) or cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS), is a condition similar to Alzheimer’s disease in humans.

It primarily affects older dogs and is caused by age-related changes in the brain. Symptoms of dog dementia include disorientation and confusion, changes in social interactions, different sleeping patterns, house-soiling, changes in activity levels and increased anxiety. Symptoms like Buddy’s repetitive walking in circles are common indicators of CCD.

There is no cure for dog dementia, but there are ways to manage and slow its progression through medication, dietary changes and behavioral therapies.

Anyone concerned about their dog’s behavior or sudden behavior changes should contact their veterinarian for advice.

“I didn’t know dogs could be diagnosed with dementia,” said one commenter on the viral video. “Hope he is not in any pain.”

Another wrote: “This destroyed me, bless his little soul.”

Others chose to find a silver lining to the heartbreaking situation. One TikTok viewer said: “But think about it this way, you could take him to a park and every time it would be new to him. Every time he saw something he’d be excited because it’s as if he’s never seen it before.”

Other pet owners shared similar experiences and offered advice for the owner.

One viewer said: “My terrier mix Harriet got dementia too and it’s so hard to watch them deteriorate knowing you can’t communicate with them like you can a person. All you can do is hug them tight.”

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