New research links a shorter stride length in dogs — particularly in their front limbs — to cognitive decline. The findings could help veterinarians detect dementia earlier and track its progression in aging pets.
The study, published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science, involved 88 geriatric dogs with an average age of about 12 years. Researchers evaluated the dogs approximately every six months, running physical, neurologic, and orthopedic exams alongside mobility assessments, hearing tests, and blood work.
Owners completed questionnaires at each check-in, including the Canine Dementia Scale and the Canine Brief Pain Inventory. The dogs also took a standardized cognitive test.
To measure gait, two trained observers watched each dog walk a straight, five-meter indoor walkway. They recorded stride length for both front and back limbs, then calculated height-adjusted data.
The results showed that owner-reported cognitive decline was associated with shorter front limb stride length, even after adjusting for the dog’s height. Higher scores also correlated with reduced stride length, independent of age and pain scores.
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A 10-point increase on the scale corresponded to roughly a 1.2% drop in front-limb stride length. Back limb stride length showed no connection to cognitive changes.
Natasha Olby, a professor of neurology and chair in gerontology at North Carolina State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, led the research. She pointed to differences in how dogs use their legs.
Olby said thoracic limbs play a key role in braking and postural stabilization, while back limbs mainly act as a propulsion motor. Thoracic limb movement is likely under more cortical influence than back limbs and may be more sensitive to alterations in visual or spatial awareness.
This distinction may explain why cognitive decline shows up in front-leg stride length first. The brain’s higher processing centers have more control over front limb coordination, making it a potential early warning sign.
Olby noted that in humans, changes in stride length have been linked to cognitive impairment and dementia. The relationship hadn’t been investigated in dogs, so they created this study to examine the problem.
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Stride length alone is not enough to diagnose dementia, the researchers caution. But it adds useful information to the broader picture of a dog’s cognitive health. The measure could help owners and vets spot functional decline sooner.
Olby said the results show that cognitive decline has a small effect on stride length and this could serve as an early indicator of functional decline in aging dogs. It could also work as a useful marker of an individual dog’s overall health trajectory when monitored over time.
Not all dogs decline at the same rate, and some show subtle shifts in movement long before obvious behavioral changes appear. A simple walk down a hallway, measured consistently, might reveal something worth watching.
The research was supported by the Dr. Kady M. Gjessing and Rhanna M. Davidson Distinguished Chair of Gerontology at NC State’s College of Veterinary Medicine.