Heartbreaking Video Shows 12-Year-Old Dog With Dementia ‘Sundowning’

A social media video that captures the reaction of a senior dog with dementia to the sun setting has broken hearts across the internet.

The viral video, which has been viewed more than 2.8 million times since it was first shared to TikTok on November 9, introduced audiences to 12-year-old Runner who has dementia.

The moving clip filmed the senior dog “sundowning,” which is described by the Mayo Clinic as having an anxious and agitated response to the transition from afternoon to night. It affects people with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, as well as dogs.

The rescue hound’s owner, who goes by @TigerShark1530 on TikTok, shared Runner’s visible distress at the change in daylight while her canine sibling tried to comfort her. They revealed in the post’s comments section that the dog is in the “final stage.”

“It’s okay,” Runner’s owner could be heard saying over the heartfelt video.

“Runner my 12-year-old rescue hound has dementia and sundowns every evening when the light changes,” they had added under the post.

Runner’s owner had shared on their TikTok profile that they are based in South Carolina, and that they routinely rescue and foster “misfit dogs.”

How Does Dementia Impact Dogs?

Kelly Diehl is the senior director of science communication at Morris Animal Foundation, an animal health charity based in Colorado. A large part of the organization’s recent funding has been in researching canine dementia and promoting awareness.

“A growing awareness of the challenges of aging is leading dog owners and veterinarians to learn more about diseases affecting older dogs,” Diehl told Newsweek.

“In a recent Morris Animal Foundation pet owner survey, 36 percent of respondents listed senior dogs as an area of canine health of greatest interest to them. Mental sharpness can decline over time in both people and dogs, but some dogs suffer from a more serious condition called canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD).”

“It’s not unusual for us to have slight declines in memory over time. It turns out the same pattern of age-related mental changes occurs in older dogs. Slight lapses in attention and memory are normal and not cause for concern,” Diehl added.

While minor mental changes are not deemed a cause for concern, Diehl went on to say that CCD on the contrary is. The condition is a neurodegenerative disease that’s seen as similar to Alzheimer’s disease in humans because the changes in affected dogs’ brain tissue appear to resemble the changes noted in Alzheimer’s patients.

Although there are some similarities at play, disease progression differs between the two cases, and there is evidence that some signs of CCD can be reversed while this is not always the case with Alzheimer’s.

“The estimated prevalence rates of CCD range from 14 percent to 35 percent in the pet dog population, with the prevalence dramatically increasing as dogs age. One study found the prevalence of CCD was 28 percent in dogs aged 11 to 12 but jumped to 68 percent in dogs from 15 to 16,” Diehl explained.

She added that because many owners and veterinarians tend to accept some cognitive decline as a normal part of aging, the true incidence of the disease is probably higher than what is reported.

CCD just isn’t a commonly talked about disease so can be missed by even the most astute of pet owners, which can keep them from seeking care. Fortunately, there are effective preventatives and treatments that can delay the onset of the disease or manage its symptoms.

“The earlier that signs of CCD are detected, the sooner owners can intervene to reverse or slow disease progression,” Diehl said.

“Many signs are associated with CCD, but the most common include confusion, anxiety, sleep cycle disturbances, decreased interaction with owners, loss of housetraining, and aimless wandering or restlessness.”

“If an owner notices any of these signs, even if infrequent, they should consult with their veterinarian. Many concurrent diseases can be ruled in or out with a complete physical examination and routine bloodwork,” added Diehl.

What Do the Comments Say?

Since it was shared by @TigerShark1530, the TikTok post has been liked by 312,000 users and commented on more than 2,600 times. Runner and his owner have received an outpouring of support and shared emotion by viewers.

“My baby girl of almost 17 and has doggy dementia too. The sundowning is just so exhausting for the both of us, hugs,” one user wrote.

Another user added: “My girl just started sun downing. It’s breaking my heart.”

The TikTok post can be seen here.

Newsweek reached out to @TigerShark1530 for comment via TikTok.

Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.