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Just like people, dogs will change as they age. Shifts will occur in health and behavior, possibly requiring increased visits to your veterinarian. Knowing what to expect as your pet ages will help you adjust to their needs and help keep their later years happy ones. 

Common Behavior Changes for Senior Dogs

Cognitive Dysfunction

Canine Cognitive Dysfunction, or CCD, is prevalent in dogs over 10 years old. Symptoms include decreased energy or attentiveness, pacing at night, loss of house training skills, or not recognizing known people. A visit to your veterinarian can determine if CCD is the issue. Medication is available that may help, although not all animals respond to treatment. 

Separation Anxiety

veterinarianThis is the most common behavior issue in older dogs. Your pet may howl, bark, drool excessively, urinate, defecate, or shiver uncontrollably when they sense you are leaving the house. Changes in routine are more challenging for senior dogs, and their anxiety may be increased by hearing or vision loss or decrease in cognitive function. To address this issue, try training your pet to associate your leaving with receiving a treat or chew toy. Don’t make a big deal of leaving the house. If you are gone for long periods of time, consider hiring a dog walker or pet sitter to take them out while you’re gone. While medication is available for extreme cases, work with your veterinarian to address the situation before opting for drugs.

Aggressive Behavior

Older dogs can become aggressive for many reasons. Arthritis, vision or hearing loss, or sore teeth can be irritating and put your dog in a defensive or bad mood. Look for signs of stress, such as panting, growling, or whining, and remove the stress or your animal if possible. You may need to consider a muzzle or a head collar and leash when taking your dog out. Again, working with your veterinarian to develop a behavior plan and explore possible causes is the best approach.

 

Your senior dog may present new behaviors as they age. The professional staff of veterinarians at Countryside Veterinary Service Middlefield, serving Northeastern OH and Northwestern PA, can help with health and behavior changes. They have animal clinics at a variety of locations, and they offer large and small animal surgery and care, pet vaccinations, spay and neuter procedures, and more. Visit their website to view locations and services.

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