canine aging is a natural process in which the dog's body undergoes morphological and physiological changes, which can also intervene in behavior. Like us, dogs can experience certain changes in their behaviors and actions when they reach a certain age, which favors the appearance of behavioral problems.
Of course, it is important to note that every dog, regardless of its age, breed or sex, can present behavioral problems throughout its life. For this reason, it is so important that his tutors do not neglect his education and socialization to prevent these problems. In addition to providing them with essential care to preserve their he alth and provide them with an excellent quality of life
However, in this article on our site, we will focus on the behavior problems in older dogs, explaining their possible causes and what we can do to prevent them. Keep reading!
Why can older dogs have behavior problems?
As a dog ages, his body undergoes numerous physiological and morphological changes, which impact his metabolism, his behavior and also his appearance. That is to say: aging is not something that happens from one day to the next, but rather it is a process that is part of your natural life cycle.
Usually, when we talk about a senior dog, we mean an individual over 8 years old. However, we must consider that may vary depending on the size and/or breed of the dog. Small dogs, for example, tend to live longer than large or giant dogs. Therefore, it is important to know how to recognize the signs of old age in the dog.
First of all, we must understand that older dogs have a more fragile he alth, since their immune system becomes weaker. Older dogs can develop numerous diseases and many of them negatively impact their senses and behavior. Feeling more vulnerable or experiencing pain, the dog may be more aggressive, nervous, fearful or anxious. For this reason, preventive visits to the veterinarian will be essential to verify the he alth status of your best friend, as well as to diagnose any pathology early.
In addition, elderly dogs suffer from the loss of sharpness of their senses and the progressive deterioration of their brain functions, which often leads to the symptoms of cognitive dysfunction syndrome (which could be compared to Alzheimer's in people). When a dog is no longer able to adequately perceive the stimuli in its environment, this favors the development of certain inappropriate behaviors, such as excessive barking, and can lead to hypersensitivity that makes them fear even noises or objects in their own home.
For this reason, fears and even phobias are relatively common at this stage of life and can sometimes be reflected, with stereotypies (obsessive behaviors), which are among the main behavior problems in older dogs.
It is also important to keep in mind that an older dog experiences a significant reduction in its metabolism, so it will not have as much energy as before and will need more sleepto compose yourself. But that doesn't mean they don't need to exercise, expend energy, and have fun. If an older dog lives a sedentary routine, he may also show symptoms of boredom or stress, which favor the development of inappropriate behaviors and harm his he alth.
Also, we must consider that our best friends need lots of company and affection in this new stage of their lives. An elderly dog that spends a lot of time alone or does not receive the necessary attention can suffer from sadness and anxiety. As a consequence, some behavior problems may appear, such as excessive barking or crying, destructiveness, misplaced urination or deposition, among others.
What to do if an older dog has behavior problems?
When you identify any changes in your best friend's usual behavior, such as increased aggressiveness, destructive behaviors or obsessive repetition of certain actions, the first thing to do is consult your trusted veterinarian In the clinic, the professional will be able to verify the state of he alth of your dog and carry out the necessary tests to determine if any he alth problem may be causing behavioral problems.
After ruling out any organic cause, it is also advisable to go to a canine educator or ethologist to help you correct inappropriate behavior with guidelines elaborated according to the specific needs of your furry.
Furthermore, it will be essential for an older dog to have a positive environment and appropriate care to both prevent and treat behavior problems, as to enjoy a better quality of life in this delicate stage of his life. Here are some tips to take good care of an elderly dog and avoid behavioral disorders.
Can we prevent behavior problems in older dogs?
The way a dog's body goes through the aging process depends on many variables, such as its breed, its diet, its lifestyle, etc. Although we are not capable of preventing our furry ones from aging or intervening in their genetic inheritance or in aspects inherent to their nature, we can offer them adequate preventive medicine during their entire life. This will allow us to strengthen their immune system, prevent numerous common diseases in dogs and preserve the optimal conditions of their organism.
We must also understand that older dogs require specific care, as their body has different needs than a puppy or an adult dog. Taking care of an elderly dog will require time, dedication, willpower and, above all, a lot of love and affection. To help you, on our site, we offer you a complete guide to caring for an elderly dog.
In it, you can find our best tips to offer balanced nutrition, create an environment with maximum comfort to improve their quality of life, practice exercises and beneficial activities for elderly dogs, and carry out some essential care at this stage of life, such as emptying the anal glands, for example.
On the other hand, also remember that older dogs have a need for constant affection Therefore, it will be vital to reserve part of your time to share quality moments with your furry friend, strengthen the bond between you and improve your dog's self-confidence. Remember that your best friend needs you now more than ever, so don't ignore or abandon him.
