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Evaluating effects of aging on dog olfactory performance
Lane I Montgomery1, Sarah Krichbaum2, Jeffrey S Katz3
1Department of Psychological Sciences, Auburn University, 226 Thach Hall, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA. lim0004@auburn.edu.
Geroscience
|November 3, 2025
Summary
Canine olfaction declines with age, but training may offer protection. Older dogs showed reduced scent abilities in some tasks, though cognitive function remained stable. Further research is needed.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Animal Behavior
- Gerontology
Background:
- Aging impacts canine function, but age-related changes in olfaction are poorly understood.
- Olfactory abilities are crucial for dogs' roles as companions and working animals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate age-related changes in canine olfactory performance using a Natural Detection Task.
- To explore the relationship between olfactory decline, cognitive function, and training level in aging dogs.
Main Methods:
- Adapted the Natural Detection Task to assess olfactory abilities in 65 dogs aged 5 years and older.
- Administered the Cylinder Reversal Task (CRT) to evaluate cognitive function.
- Analyzed performance data in relation to age and training experience.
Main Results:
- Dogs aged 5+ years exhibited age-related decrements in olfactory performance under specific conditions.
- Training level influenced olfactory performance, suggesting protective effects against age-related declines.
- No age-related changes were observed in cognitive task (CRT) performance, nor significant correlations between cognitive and olfactory abilities.
Conclusions:
- Canine olfactory capabilities can decrease with age, particularly under challenging conditions.
- Training experience may mitigate age-related olfactory decline in dogs.
- Cognitive function appears unaffected by age in the studied cohort, and is not directly linked to olfactory performance changes.
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