He isn’t ignoring you when he stares at the wall. It’s a classic sign of doggy dementia, and an aging brain running low on energy.
Dr. Mark Saraiva, DVM
Veterinary consultant to Pawprint · Updated on 10/2026
He used to meet you at the door. Now he stands facing the corner and does not turn when you say his name. At 3 a.m. you are the one lying awake, listening to the pacing. “It’s just old age” stopped being an answer a long time ago.
It has a name: doggy dementia, or canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD). Here are the signs, what is happening inside the aging brain, and why nothing you have tried has been enough.
7 signs of doggy dementia that are easy to write off as “just old age”
A 2026 veterinary working-group guideline sorts the changes into areas: disorientation, social interaction, sleep, house soiling, learning and memory, activity and anxiety [1]. Here is how they show up in your hallway.
Staring at walls and cornersHe stands nose to the wall and does not turn when you say his name.
Stuck behind doors and furnitureHe waits on the hinge side of the door, or walks into a corner and cannot work out how to back out.
Awake at 3 a.m., asleep all afternoonThe pacing and circling start after dark. His days and nights have swapped.
No longer meets you at the doorHe looks at you as if he is trying to place you.
Accidents after years of being house-trainedHe forgets why he came outside, or stands in the wrong place.
Forgets the toy, the trick, the treat at his pawCommands he has known for years no longer land, and the treat that hits the floor goes unnoticed.
New clinginess, or new panicHe cannot be a room away from you, or he startles at nothing.
Recognized any of these? You are not imagining it, and it is worth acting on tonight: see your vet to rule out other causes.
WHAT’S HAPPENING INSIDE
When an aging brain runs low on energy
His brain never gets a day off. In people, the brain is about 2% of body weight but accounts for about 20% of the oxygen and calories the body uses [4]. Every name he answers and every doorway he finds is paid for in energy.
Muscle, brain and heart cells are packed with mitochondria, tiny power plants that turn food into usable energy [5].
In dogs, a small study of beagles (5 young and 5 aged, untreated) found that mitochondria isolated from aged dog brains made more reactive oxygen species and showed reduced NADH-linked respiration (a measure of how well mitochondria turn fuel into energy) than mitochondria from young dogs [6].
Those power plants run on a helper molecule called NAD+. In people, NAD+ is widely reported to fall with age, though researchers still argue about how universal that is [7].
Put it together and you get the night you know: a brain with the same jobs and less energy to pay for them. The corner he can’t back out of. The name he doesn’t turn for. Picture a phone at 9% by lunchtime: everything still opens, it just takes longer, and sometimes it freezes.
An illustration of the idea above. NAD+ decline is reported in people [7][8] and in aging mice [9].
This is not a mystery. It is an energy-supply question, and energy supply is something you can support every single day.
Why nightlights, chews and routines haven’t been enough
If you have tried most of these and he is still pacing, that is not on you. You did the caring thing every time.
Night-lights and routines
Keep them. They make the room safer and calmer, but they shape the space around him, not the brain cells running the show.
Calming chews and sleep aids
They aim at the restlessness of the evening, not at the energy supply behind it.
Puzzle toys and “keep him busy”
Good enrichment for any senior dog, so keep it going. But a puzzle asks his brain to spend energy. It does not supply any.
“It’s just old age” and “normal for his age”
The label that costs the most, because a sign with no name gets no plan. Keep the vet visits, then give the sign a daily action.
They all work on the behavior and the room around him. None of them is built to supply energy to his brain cells.
SEEN YOUR DOG IN THESE SIGNS? THIS IS WHERE PAWPRINT PROTOCOL STARTS
Pawprint Protocol: daily support for the aging brain’s cellular energy
Doggy dementia is why you are here. Pawprint Protocol is the daily step you can take at home, alongside your vet: a dropper on the dinner he already eats, with NMN (a building block in the NAD+ pathway), NAD+, resveratrol and CoQ10.
Brain energy: supports the cellular energy his aging brain cells run on, every day and not only on the bad nights.
Four actives, one liquid: NMN, a building block in the NAD+ pathway, with NAD+, resveratrol and CoQ10 alongside it.
Liposomal: built to be absorbed, not just swallowed.
What owners watch for: more present at the door, calmer evenings, steadier nights.
Nothing to chew and nothing to push down his throat. Add the daily dropper dose to the food he already eats (best with wet food or kibble) or give it by mouth. The dose follows his weight, from 1 to 4 droppers a day.
Four actives, one liquid: what each is there to do
1
NMN
The lead active, and a building block in the NAD+ pathway. In a mouse study, 24-month-old mice given NMN for two weeks showed stronger blood-flow responses to brain activity than untreated aged mice [10].
2
NAD+
The helper molecule cells spend on everyday jobs like turning food into energy. NAD+ plays a role in the processes cells use to make energy, so it sits in the formula beside its building block.
3
Resveratrol and CoQ10
The supporting cast. CoQ10 is part of how mitochondria turn food into usable energy [11]. In lab experiments on human cells, resveratrol increased a detoxification enzyme called NQO1 through a cell-signaling pathway involving Nrf2 [12].
4
The delivery: liposomal
A liposomal liquid, so the ingredients travel in tiny bubbles made from fats. It goes on the food he already eats, so there is no pill to push down his throat.
Excerpts from public Trustpilot reviews of Pawprint Lab; cuts are marked with …. Individual results vary.
Good and easy dog supplement
I started giving this supplement to my senior dog and have been very pleased with the results. The dropper makes it easy to add to his food, … and I feel good knowing he’s getting extra support as he ages.
Carissa · May 26, 2026 · Trustpilot review of Pawprint Lab
Big difference in our 12YO Jack Russell
The product is making a difference in our little 12-year-old JR with dementia. … After a week on the liposomal formula, our dog is more alert … He is sniffing around more and looking at things (his toys). We hope to see more improvement as we continue. Customer service is great.
Victoria Brittain · Feb 11, 2026 · Trustpilot review of Pawprint Lab
My dog has such renewed energy after…
My dog has such renewed energy after using this for just a week. Definitely recommend.
Christy Sims · May 27, 2026 · Trustpilot review of Pawprint Lab
Trusted by 100,000+ customers across Pawprint Lab · 90-day money-back guarantee
WHAT TO EXPECT
What to watch for in the first 90 days
A daily routine is not a switch, and Pawprint recommends at least 3 months of consistent use. Keep a short nights-and-signs note from the first dinner, so you are comparing against your own notes and not your memory of a bad night.
What owners watch for: more present at the door, calmer evenings, steadier nights.
1
START
Make it part of dinner
The dose follows his weight, from 1 to 4 droppers a day, on the food he already eats, at the same time every day. Jot down when he paces, when he gets stuck and how he greets you.
On his usual meal
Same time every day
Jot down the nights, the corners, the door
2
CHECK IN
A month in: a checkpoint, not the finish line
Read your own notes side by side: the nights, the corners, the greeting at the door. Pawprint recommends at least 3 months of consistent use, so this is the moment to keep going.
Same dinner, same time
Add to your notes
Bring them to his next vet visit
3
DECIDE
Around day 80: decide with your own notes
By now you have close to three months of your own notes. Keep going if you can see what you are looking for. If it is not right for him, email us within 90 days of delivery under the 90-day money-back guarantee (website orders).
Nearly three months of consistent use
A clear view from your notes
Keep going, or email us within 90 days of delivery
The 2026 veterinary guideline describes canine cognitive dysfunction as progressive [1]. Progressive means the clock is already running, and daily support only starts the day you start it.
Watching the signs of doggy dementia and not sure? Try it on your own dog, on your own schedule, and decide while the guarantee is open. If it is not right for him, you can get your money back.
1Order on pawprintlab.com and give it to him daily with his dinner.
2If it is not right for your dog, email us within 90 days of delivery.
3Get your money back under the 90-day money-back guarantee.
The guarantee applies to orders placed on pawprintlab.com. It is a money-back guarantee, not a promise of results.
Old age on its own does not explain a dog who stares at walls, gets lost in his own home or paces at night. The 2026 veterinary guideline recognizes canine cognitive dysfunction (doggy dementia) by changes in orientation, social interaction, sleep, house soiling, learning and memory, activity and anxiety [1]. Only your vet can say whether it is CCD, because pain, failing senses and other medical problems can look the same.
What if it is not right for my dog?
Email us within 90 days of delivery and the 90-day money-back guarantee applies to orders placed on pawprintlab.com. It is a money-back guarantee, not a promise of results.
How fast will I notice something?
Dogs differ, and a daily routine is not a switch. Pawprint recommends at least 3 months of consistent use. Keep a short nights-and-signs note from day one and read it at around day 30. What owners watch for: more present at the door, calmer evenings, steadier nights. Individual results may vary.
How do I give it to a confused or restless dog?
Mix it with food (best with wet food or kibble), or give it directly by mouth, at the same calm time each day. Dinner is the easiest anchor: a routine he already knows, with nothing to chew and nothing new to learn.
How much do I give?
Daily, on food, by weight. How long a bottle lasts depends on your dog’s weight; the product page shows current directions. Need a custom dose? Ask your vet.
Dog weight
Daily dose
Under 22 lb (under 10 kg)
1 dropper a day
22-55 lb (10-25 kg)
2 droppers a day
55-88 lb (25-40 kg)
3 droppers a day
88+ lb (40+ kg)
4 droppers a day
How does Subscribe & Save work, and can I cancel?
Save 25% when you subscribe, with free shipping. The product page shows delivery every 4 weeks. You can pause, update or cancel anytime in your account or by contacting support. Prefer no subscription? There is a one-time option on the same page.
Can a supplement cure dementia?
No. Pawprint Protocol is a dietary supplement, not a medicine, and it is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, including canine cognitive dysfunction. What it is: daily support for the aging brain’s cellular energy, a dropper on his dinner, alongside the vet care your dog needs.
Should I see my vet first?
Yes. Confusion in an older dog is not always dementia. Not every change in an older dog is normal aging [1]. If something changed fast, or on one side only, get him seen by your vet. Once other causes are ruled out, you can support his brain every day, and your vet can follow along.
Can I give it with his medications?
Ask your vet first, especially if your dog takes medication or has a health concern. The label says: “Need a custom dose? Ask your vet — especially for senior dogs, active dogs, or those with health concerns.”
Is it safe for my dog?
Oral NMN has been through a subacute toxicity study that dosed beagles and found it well tolerated [13]. If your dog takes medication or has a health concern, ask your vet first.
What is in it, and what does liposomal mean?
Four actives: NMN, NAD+, resveratrol and CoQ10, in one liquid. Liposomal means the ingredients are carried in liposomes, tiny bubbles made from fats; Pawprint Protocol is built to be absorbed, not just swallowed. Other ingredients: Vegetable Glycerin, Purified Water, Rice Syrup, Beef and Apple Flavoring. If food allergies or sensitivities are a concern, check the list with your vet first.
Where does it ship from, and how fast?
Pawprint Protocol ships from a US warehouse. The product page shows current delivery timing.
Start tonight: order now, and the first dinner after it arrives becomes his first dose.
The nights, the corners, the greeting at the door: you are the one who sees them. Doggy dementia is progressive, and daily support only starts the day you start it.
Subscribe & Save 25% + free shipping, and a 90-day money-back guarantee.
References
[1] Olby NJ, et al. (CCDS Working Group). The Canine Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome Working Group guidelines for diagnosis and monitoring of canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2026;264(4):498-505. doi 10.2460/javma.25.10.0668. PMID 41442884. Dogs (guideline). See also Landsberg GM, et al. Cognitive dysfunction syndrome: a disease of canine and feline brain aging. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract. 2012;42(4):749-68. PMID 22720812.
[2] Salvin HE, et al. Under diagnosis of canine cognitive dysfunction: a cross-sectional survey of older companion dogs. Vet J. 2010;184(3):277-81. doi 10.1016/j.tvjl.2009.11.007. PMID 20005753. Dogs (owner questionnaire, Australia).
[3] Neilson JC, et al. Prevalence of behavioral changes associated with age-related cognitive impairment in dogs. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2001;218(11):1787-91. doi 10.2460/javma.2001.218.1787. PMID 11394831. Dogs (owner phone interview).
[4] Raichle ME, Gusnard DA. Appraising the brain’s energy budget. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2002;99(16):10237-9. doi 10.1073/pnas.172399499. PMID 12149485. People.
[5] Chistiakov DA, et al. Mitochondrial aging and age-related dysfunction of mitochondria. BioMed Research International, 2014;2014:238463. doi 10.1155/2014/238463. PMID 24818134. Review.
[6] Head E, et al. Effects of age, dietary, and behavioral enrichment on brain mitochondria in a canine model of human aging. Exp Neurol. 2009;220(1):171-6. doi 10.1016/j.expneurol.2009.08.014. PMID 19703441. Beagles (5 young, 5 aged, untreated; isolated mitochondria).
[7] Peluso A, et al. Age-Dependent Decline of NAD+: Universal Truth or Confounded Consensus? Nutrients, 2022;14(1):101. doi 10.3390/nu14010101. PMID 35010977. Review (people).
[8] Zhu XH, et al. In vivo NAD assay reveals the intracellular NAD contents and redox state in healthy human brain and their age dependences. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2015;112(9):2876-81. doi 10.1073/pnas.1417921112. PMID 25730862. People (n=17, cross-sectional).
[9] Johnson S, et al. CA1 Nampt knockdown recapitulates hippocampal cognitive phenotypes in old mice which nicotinamide mononucleotide improves. NPJ Aging Mech Dis. 2018;4:10. doi 10.1038/s41514-018-0029-z. PMID 30416740. Mice.
[10] Tarantini S, et al. Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) supplementation rescues cerebromicrovascular endothelial function and neurovascular coupling responses and improves cognitive function in aged mice. Redox Biol. 2019;24:101192. doi 10.1016/j.redox.2019.101192. PMID 31015147. Mice.
[11] Crane FL. Biochemical functions of coenzyme Q10. J Am Coll Nutr. 2001;20(6):591-8. doi 10.1080/07315724.2001.10719063. PMID 11771674. Review (biochemistry).
[12] Hsieh TC, et al. Induction of quinone reductase NQO1 by resveratrol in human K562 cells involves the antioxidant response element ARE and is accompanied by nuclear translocation of transcription factor Nrf2. Med Chem. 2006;2(3):275-85. doi 10.2174/157340606776930709. PMID 16948474. Human cell line (lab experiments).
[13] You Y, et al. Subacute Toxicity Study of Nicotinamide Mononucleotide via Oral Administration. Front Pharmacol. 2020;11:604404. doi 10.3389/fphar.2020.604404. PMID 33384603. Beagles (safety study); NAD+ readings from mice.
Studies on the individual ingredients, on dogs and on other species, not on Pawprint Protocol; results may differ in dogs. We found no study of Pawprint Protocol or its four actives in dogs with canine cognitive dysfunction.
Disclaimer
THIS IS AN ADVERTORIAL AND NOT AN ACTUAL NEWS ARTICLE, BLOG, OR CONSUMER PROTECTION UPDATE
This is an advertisement for Pawprint Lab™ and is intended for informational purposes only. All information provided by Pawprint Lab™ does not constitute medical advice and should not be used as a replacement for veterinarian advice. Please consult your veterinarian regarding any change in treatment or supplementation.
Individual results may vary.
Please note that Pawprint Lab™ products are not drugs and are not intended to treat, prevent, or cure any disease.
Pawprint Protocol is a dietary supplement, not a medicine. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease, including canine cognitive dysfunction (doggy dementia). If your dog shows new confusion, disorientation or behavior changes, talk to your veterinarian.
Dog footage and images on this page show example behaviors in dogs. The dogs shown are not presented as Pawprint customers and are not shown using Pawprint Protocol, and these behaviors can have causes other than dementia.
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