Senior Behavior Issues

As pets age, they can forget how to perform simple tasks, or they can have a medical problem that causes them to show aggression. Almost 50% of pet owners report that their senior animal shows an unwanted behavior. The vast majority of these signs can be managed or eliminated.

The common signs are urinating/defecating in the house, disorientation, forgetting previously known behaviors, not going up stairs or walking slower, onset of aggression/fears, and decreased recognition of people. Many of these pets have Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome, which is a form of Alzheimer’s.

Many others have a urinary tract infection, diabetes, a thyroid disorder, or are becoming blind or deaf. Others are in chronic pain from dental disease or arthritis and are becoming aggressive so people will stop touching them. It is extremely important for your veterinarian to perform a physical exam and blood
work with a urinalysis. If your pet does have an illness, it can usually be effectively treated, and the unwanted behavior will disappear.

If the diagnostics are normal, then Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS) or other causes of neurological malfunction (i.e. brain tumor) need to be considered. These conditions are not as common, but do exist. While both of these conditions are somewhat treatable, they do require more diagnostics. CDS is a syndrome that is diagnosed after all other possibilities have been eliminated.

It is very important not to assume your pet is showing any behaviors just because “they are getting old”, and there is nothing that can be done. Age is not a disease. Most conditions that senior pets suffer from can be managed, and they will become much more comfortable. You CAN make their golden years wonderful for both of you.

Tags: arthritis, blind, deaf, diabetes, old, senior, thyroid