Is your elderly dog barking incessantly? Does he seem to bark on just about anything?
Although barking is completely normal for dogs, they seem to bark more than usual when they grow old. Excessive barking in dogs of any age may also indicate an underlying health problem. However, in older ones, it is usually at odd times and for no reason. This behavioral pattern is triggered by certain age-related factors. Let’s have a look at these age-related issues that cause the elderly dog to bark even when he seems perfectly fine.
Anxiety
As our furry pals age, we can observe certain behavioral changes in them. They tend to get irritated easily and the disappointment becomes quite evident through uncontrolled barking or howling. This kind of a behavior may surface due to the anxiousness older dogs feel. It is a way of releasing pent-up emotions which may occur due to separation from the owner for a while or due to some tragic event.
Frustration
With age, dogs find it difficult to climb the stairs or run as efficiently as they used to once. Their aching joints don’t allow them to perform these daily activities quickly and fervently. This inefficiency leads to frustration in older dogs which comes out in the form of barking.
Incontinence
Has your elderly dog defecated in the room or is urinating at unwanted places? This is because old dogs find it hard to hold their stools or urine. Incontinence builds up frustration in dogs and thus leads to disappointment which they vent out by barking.
Sensory Issues
Things become vague and your dog fails to follow your command as his sensory problems increase with age. The inability of seeing and listening things creates mental confusion in elderly dogs and they bark out of nothing.
Pain
Pain is inevitable with deteriorating body. As the Fido gets older, the normal functioning of organs and joints slow down and don’t work properly. This discomfort leads to pain sue to which he groans or barks vehemently.
Every dog grows old and is bound to face such problems. To alleviate their troubles pet parents, therefore, must plan beforehand. Provide them supplements and well-balanced meals from a very early age to avoid joint issues and other health problems. Treat them immediately for diseases. And maintain a good hygiene to keep him free of germs.
If your dog is old, keep him away from noisy areas and give him toys or switch on the TV to distract his mind. After all these efforts if the barking still persists, it is necessary to get the dog checked by the vet. Excessive barking can be the sign of an underlying dreadful condition like tumor, kidney issues or heart disease, etc. So it is important to get him checked by professionals rather than searching for options to keep him calm.
