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Behavioral problems in old dogs: 26 cases (1984-1987).
1Department of Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia 19104.
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
|March 15, 1990
Summary
Senior dogs frequently develop new behavioral issues like house soiling and destructive actions. Behavioral therapy is effective for these senior dog behavior problems, even with health limitations.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Animal Behavior
Background:
- Behavioral problems in dogs are common, but less is understood about those emerging in older animals.
- Many owners report new behavioral issues in their senior dogs, impacting quality of life.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify common behavioral problems and diagnoses in dogs aged 10 years and older.
- To explore the onset, potential causes, and treatment approaches for behavioral issues in geriatric dogs.
Main Methods:
- Surveyed owners of 26 senior dogs (≥10 years old) regarding behavioral complaints.
- Diagnosed behavioral issues and assessed potential medical contributions.
Main Results:
- Most frequent owner complaints included destructive behavior (n=10), inappropriate elimination (n=10), and excessive vocalization (n=7).
- Common diagnoses were separation anxiety (n=13) and housetraining breakdown (n=6).
- Problems typically began after age 10, often without prior behavioral issues, and few had a direct medical cause, though conditions like degenerative joint disease could exacerbate elimination issues.
Conclusions:
- Behavioral therapy is a suitable treatment for geriatric behavioral problems.
- Therapeutic techniques for senior dogs are similar to those for younger dogs, with considerations for their health and physical limitations.