Animals can be born with genetic or developmental issues that make it hard for them to live normal lives. They also can develop mental health problems in response to conditions around them.
Max was a joyful Labrador retriever who loved car rides and greeting clients at his owner’s office. But by the time he was 16, his behavior started to change. He began having accidents inside the house, had trouble sleeping at night, became irritable, and seemed confused, not recognizing commands he had known for years.
Max was showing signs of cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS), a condition that affects aging cats and dogs. In dogs, this syndrome mirrors Alzheimer’s disease in humans, causing memory loss and cognitive decline as they age.
I study how animals, including humans, learn, and my research spans many species, from bees to pigeons and crawfish. Part of my work focuses on understanding how various factors, including mental health conditions, impact animals.
In some cases, genetic or developmental factors affect the way an animal’s brain is structured, leading to mental disabilities or learning differences. In other instances, traumatic or stressful experiences can result in mental health issues.