Can pets get dementia?

As animals grow older, their brains undergo the normal structural and functional changes that accompany age -- all of which can alter memory and behavior.
In terms of keeping pets vital in their dotage, it seems prudent to take the same approach we ourselves would and stay stimulated through play and training. Exercise, such as a short walk, is also helpful, as it can be stimulating improve circulation and vascular josh, and help keep arthritic joints mobile.