About The Golden Years Cognitive Check

The Golden Years Cognitive Check is a free screening tool that helps you notice and document behavioural signs of cognitive change in a senior dog or cat. It organises what you have observed using the DISHAA framework for dogs (Landsberg, WSAVA 2019) and the VISHDAAL framework for cats (Sordo & Gunn-Moore, Veterinary Record 2021) — the same categories a vet uses to structure a cognitive assessment. It takes about five minutes.

What it looks at

• Disorientation — confusion in familiar spaces, getting stuck, staring at walls
• Interaction — changes in how your pet greets, seeks or avoids people and other animals
• Sleep–wake cycle — restlessness at night, sleeping more by day
• House soiling — accidents indoors in a previously reliable pet
• Activity — reduced purposeful activity, or repetitive aimless movement
• Anxiety — new or worsening fearfulness, clinginess or agitation
• For cats, also vocalisation (night-time yowling) and learning or memory changes

What your result means

No Signs Detected

No behavioural signs of cognitive change were reported. This is reassuring, but cognitive change is gradual — repeating the check every few months is how you catch a trend early.

Mild — Worth Monitoring

A few early signs are present. This does not necessarily mean cognitive dysfunction; many of these signs have other explanations, including pain, hearing or sight loss, and thyroid or kidney disease. Worth noting and worth mentioning at your next routine vet visit.

Moderate — Talk to Your Vet

Several signs are present across multiple categories. This pattern is consistent with early-to-moderate cognitive change, and a vet conversation is worthwhile. Early intervention — diet, enrichment, and in some cases medication — makes a meaningful difference to how the next few years go.

Significant — See Your Vet Soon

Multiple significant signs are present. This pattern would benefit from veterinary assessment soon. The sooner an assessment happens, the more options remain open.

What this tool cannot tell you

Each sign is rated on a five-point frequency scale and every sign carries equal weight. The bands are proportional guides based on the share of the maximum score — they are not validated diagnostic cut-offs. Frequency-based recall is subjective, and many of these signs overlap with other treatable conditions. A high score does not confirm cognitive dysfunction, and a low score does not rule it out. This tool does not replace a veterinary examination, bloodwork or imaging.