There's growing evidence diet plays a role in developing cognitive dysfunction later in life.
Studies have shown people with a high intake of saturated and trans fats have a higher risk of dementia, while people with a diet favoring unsaturated, unhydrogenated fats have a lower risk.
Dr. Mike Hutchinson of Animal General in Cranberry Township says this may explain why dementia isn't as prevalent in dogs as in humans.
“Mostly dogs are kept on good diets their whole life, if they’re fed commercial food with complete nutrition so we don’t see as many problems as you do in people so diet certainly has something to do with it but so does genetics,” Hutchinson said on The Big K Morning Show.