What Causes Dog Behavioral Changes?What Causes Dog Behavioral Changes?
Dogs are supposed to be pets that offer good time and companionship. They should relieve stress and help you loosen up after an exhausting day. However, sometimes they’re not acting the way they should. As their pet parents, we know our dogs better than anyone else. Even if our pets can’t verbally communicate their feelings, our instincts tell us when they’re not acting.
If your pet used to be well-mannered and suddenly shows behavioral problems, there has to be a cause. Today, we’ll find out the few reasons pets develop unwanted behaviors to help you proactively address particular traits you do not want in your pet.
5 Culprits of Behavioral Changes in Dogs
Exploring, digging, barking, chewing, and many more behaviors can occur in dogs, which can be an inevitable part of pet ownership. Recognizing the causes of these behaviors can help you act on areas of their life that need attention. So below are five reasons for unwanted canine behaviors you should be aware of.
1. Lack of Exercise
Dogs need physical exercise to burn excess energy, but sometimes on-leash walks around the neighborhood are insufficient. Activities like jogging, running, off-leash runs, fetch games, dog-to-dog play, or dog daycare for socially-active dogs are exercise choices worth considering. If you want to bring your four-legged companion to a pet daycare or dog park to socialize with their fellows, ensure they’re fully vaccinated by your vet.
This helps secure your pet from any prevalent pet diseases they might encounter outside. If you’re looking for a vet facility to have your pet vaccinated, you may search the web for “pet vaccination near me” to see specific results.
2. Boredom or Social Isolation
Dogs that do not get opportunities to socialize with their owners and fellows, or don’t have toys or playmates in their environment, might engage in activities that can result in destructive behavior like excessive chewing. Unfortunately, excessive chewing can put them at risk of major dental problems and accidentally swallowing foreign objects.
If the worst comes to worst, you’ll have to take your pet to a veterinary surgeon should these problems occur. You may click here to see the common pet conditions that require surgical attention.
3. Changes in Diet
Switching your pet’s diet to a cheaper, poorer, or less suitable diet can cause them to act up. You might not think of it, but diet can influence your canine’s behavior. Changing your pet’s diet to a poorer quality or something that doesn’t agree with their taste can change how your pet behaves. Always feed your dog a healthy and high-quality diet, and avoid changing their diet frequently. If you’re unsure what to feed your furry buddy, always ask your vet for the best choices.
4. Illness
Behavioral changes or failure to adapt or show normal behavior may stem from health conditions. The dog may bark unnecessarily or may not bark at all. They might also be lethargic for too long or feel irritable and itchy. Limping, disinterest in foods or lack of behavior synonymous with normal dogs might indicate sickness. If you see any of these suspicious signs in your pet, take them to the vet for a dog checkup.
This is why veterinarians encourage consistency in regular vet examinations to prevent, detect, and treat any underlying health conditions before they aggravate and become serious for your pet.
5. Fears and Phobias
Fearful reactions to loud noises, fireworks, or thunderstorms usually involve escape attempts that result in destructive habits. When this happens, door frames, doors, walls, window trim, and screens often get damaged. This problem can be dangerous as excessively fearful canines can injure themselves when attempting to break through doors or windows to escape from the feared situation. Certain approaches like staying by their side, gently comforting them, and helping your pet feel safe are simple ways to overcome phobias and fears in pets.
