What Neurological Issues Can Cause Your Dog’s Change in Behavior?
Technically, any neurological problem that causes a dog to feel unwell has the potential to cause a behavior change in your dog.
However, when discussing dogs, there are different things one might consider “behavior,” such as habits or energy level. It should be noted that in this article, we are considering a dog’s change in behavior to be more like a change in personality. Sudden personality changes most often point to problems in the brain.
Here are four neurological disorders in dogs that cite behavior changes as a common symptom:
In dogs, inflammation of the brain is usually autoimmune, rather than infectious. It can occur in the membranes surrounding the brain (meningitis), the brain itself (encephalitis), or a combination of the membranes and the brain (meningoencephalitis).
Other than behavior changes in dogs, symptoms of brain inflammation can include:
This genetic condition is characterized by abnormal growth of bone in the back of the skull, basically making the skull too small for the brain and restricting the flow of cerebrospinal fluid.
Symptoms of Chiari-Like Malformation besides a dog’s change in behavior can include:
A stroke occurs when blood flow to part of the brain is obstructed in some way, causing damage to nerve cells.
In addition to a sudden change in behavior, symptoms of a stroke in dogs include:
Out of all the neurological problems that affect pets, especially older dogs and cats, brain tumors are one of the most common. Why these tumors occur is not easy to answer, as a combination of genetic and environmental factors contributes to cancer development.
Symptoms that your dog is suffering from a brain tumor apart from behavior changes can include:
Diagnosing the Reason for Your Dog’s Change in Behavior
As you can see, a dog’s change in behavior is not the only symptom that some of the conditions listed above have in common. The symptoms of some neurological conditions can look just like the symptoms of other neurological conditions. Additionally, some conditions can have a few different possible causes.
A veterinary neurologist is needed to diagnose the exact condition and pinpoint the specific cause. This is important in order to determine the best course of treatment and gauge the dog’s likelihood of recovery.
High-field MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) is by far the safest and most accurate imaging tool for viewing and diagnosing your dog’s brain, while ruling out any other possible causes of your dog’s change in behavior. MRI will also show the extent of any damage and the overall severity of the condition.
Begging for Food or Getting Ready to Steal
Is your dog around the table while you’re eating? Do they sit there like a good boy, licking their lips? You already know they’re after your food. Some dogs might even jump up, whine, or bark at you. Ignore the bad behavior if you don’t want to share every meal for the rest of your life with your furry companion. If ignoring them doesn’t work or it’s too difficult for you, try moving the dog to another room while you’re eating.
It’s best to start training your dog the moment they arrive in your home. You’re the one that sets the rules, and with the right stimuli, the pooch will make it their personal mission to obey. Dogs want to make us happy; most respond very well based on how we treat them. Sometimes we encourage bad behaviors by providing attention, comfort, and treats.
This, in turn, encourages the dog to keep it up as that behavior brought them a reward. The best way to stop the bad behavior is to ignore it. Punishment doesn’t work. It might show a short-term result. But your dog will get frustrated, which could lead to fear or aggression over time.
14 Critical Signs Your Dog Is Begging For Help
Sudden behavior changes in your dog can be concerning, whether it’s an aversion or fear of something they used to enjoy — think rough-housing with other dogs or daily trips to the local dog park — or a new habit that’s appeared out of the blue, like barking out the window or guarding their toys. Most dogs’ behavior will change over time, but those shifts can still catch many pet parents off-guard.
Just like humans, our dogs’ personalities are shaped by a combination of physical and mental factors. That’s why we teamed up with an Animal Humane Society Veterinarian and Behavior Specialist to help inform what’s at the core of your pup’s personality and what you should do if you notice a change in their behavior.
Below are the top three reasons for common behavioral changes pet parents notice in their canine companions, and what you can do about them.