Chronic pain in humans has long been linked with impaired working memory, but little was known about similar effects in dogs. In this study, Smith, Murrell, and Mendl (2024) investigated whether osteoarthritis, a common age-related condition in dogs, also affects cognitive function.
The researchers compared 20 dogs with chronic osteoarthritis to 21 healthy controls using a disappearing object task that tested spatial working memory. Results revealed that female neutered osteoarthritic dogs were significantly less successful in the task compared to healthy females, whereas male osteoarthritic dogs did not show this deficit.
Additionally, as the memory retention interval increased, osteoarthritic dogs experienced a sharper decline in performance than controls, indicating that pain-related impairments become more pronounced under greater cognitive load. This finding suggests that chronic pain affects not only mobility but also mental function, particularly in female dogs.
These results parallel findings in humans with chronic pain disorders, where memory impairments are also reported. The study highlights the need for further research into the sex-specific effects of chronic pain on cognition and underscores the importance of managing osteoarthritis in dogs to support both their physical and cognitive wellbeing.
Source: Smith, M., Murrell, J. C., & Mendl, M. (2024). Spatial working memory in a disappearing object task is impaired in female but not male dogs with chronic osteoarthritis. Animal Cognition, 27. Published March 2, 2024.
