Why Do Older Dogs Start to Bite?
If you’re the pet parent of senior dog like Bella and wondering, “Why is my dog being aggressive all of sudden?” your first course of action should be to schedule an appointment with your veterinarian. They’ll help determine the reason why your older dog is starting to bite. Below, we’ll explore some common causes of a senior dog becoming aggressive, as well as their possible treatments and solutions.
Pain is one of the most common causes of an older dog starting to bite, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. Dogs who are uncomfortable or achy like Bella might not want to be touched, and can react to someone reaching out with preemptive growling, a warning air snap to discourage contact or even an actual bite.
Dogs might telegraph that they’re in pain in ways too subtle for pet parents to notice, or might not acknowledge their pain at all until accidentally pushed to reaction. Senior dog pain can manifest in a variety of ways, including:
Pain can be caused by conditions associated with normal aging, like joint pain or arthritis, bone and muscle deterioration, dental issues, flare ups from old injuries, or can result from undiagnosed illnesses, like cancer.
Though many dogs maintain a cheerful disposition throughout their lives, a combination of factors related to aging can lead to “grumpy dog syndrome,” the unofficial term for when a dog exhibits an increase in aggression due to the combined effects of aging. These may include mild pain (possibly due to one of the conditions listed above), balance issues, hearing and vision loss and the early effects of dementia.
Seniors who have aged into grumpy dog syndrome are the canine equivalent of older neighbors who yell “get off my lawn” to playing children. They’re set in their ways and need their predictable routines to stay content. And because of physical deficits like hearing and vision loss, they may prefer to be left alone rather than join a group.
When pushed beyond their comfort zone, dogs aging into growing intolerance might react with a nip or a bite, or the dog becoming aggressive. Senior dogs in households with small children who don’t understand canine body language, or households with younger dogs who play roughly, might also be more likely to snap when they’re pushed beyond their limit.
Dogs who are entering that senior grumpy zone might behave in the following ways:
Senior dogs can experience cognitive changes that are like those seen in human Alzheimer’s. Called canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD), this progressive decline is more dramatic than changes that can be attributed to normal aging.
“Canine cognitive dysfunction is a slowly progressive behavioral change that leads to declines in several aspects of a dog’s life,” says Holly Brooks, VMD, a small animal veterinarian at Quakertown Veterinary Clinic in Quakertown, Pennsylvania. “Similar to humans, it is related to plaques that form on the brain. There can also be decrease in brain mass as well.”
CCD, also known as dog dementia, includes a cluster of predictable indicators, including personality shifts; formerly standoffish dogs might begin seeking out more attention, and dogs who were friendly in their youth might begin reacting aggressively. Because of the attendant confusion, CCD dogs might seem to be aggressive all of a sudden and escalate to biting.
Senior dogs suffering from CCD will likely also exhibit the following symptoms:
How to Stop Older Dog Aggression
An old dog suddenly becoming aggressive is an issue that should be evaluated by a veterinarian as soon as possible. Once your vet determines the root cause of the change in temperament, you can begin to address it with treatments and exercises.
Warning signs of older dog aggression
If you’ve spent many years together then you’ll have become used to each other’s body language. So, while they’ll know when somethings up with you, you’ll also know if they’re not feeling themselves. However, while dogs rarely bite without warning, some of the tell-tale signs can be very subtle and sometimes easily missed if you’re not careful.
Subtle early warning signs that your dog is feel anxious or uncomfortable include:
More obvious signs of aggression include:
If your dog is showing any of these signs, remember the following:
Reasons Why Some Dogs Get Aggressive
You’ll probably have spent many happy years with your dog, and feel as though you can accurately predict their behaviour in many different scenarios. However, as dogs get older some owners find their previously calm and friendly pooch becoming more irritable and even becoming aggressive. When you’ve built up such a deep relationship of trust with your four-legged friend this can be very distressing for all concerned. If you’ve started noticing your older dog becoming more aggressive, read our helpful guide on how to cope.
Alongside arranging older dog insurance, there are plenty of things you can do to help them through this testing time. The caring team at Petwise are always here to answer any questions you have about protecting your senior dog. GIve us a call and see how we can help!