Why is My Elderly Dog Suffering From Sudden Separation Anxiety?

Dog owners often believe that separation anxiety is a condition that only arises in dogs when they are young, and therefore, they assume that their elderly dog is spared from such condition, since the dog has never exhibited any signs of such condition up to the present day. However, changes can take place and it is not unusual for an elderly dog to start becoming clingy, following the owner around the house, and pacing anxiously when it perceives the owner is about to leave the house. It is therefore not unusual for a senior dog to show sudden signs of separation anxiety, and this can be a part of the aging process.

Indeed, according to veterinarian Holly Nash, separation anxiety is one of the most common behavioral problems encountered in senior dogs. But why would this occur right when the dog is older and has never had such a problem before? The causes are indeed clearly linked to the aging process and are therefore the main culprit of these behavioral changes.

A big role is played by vision or hearing loss. A dog who loses one or both of these senses, can become increasingly anxious when left alone. If we put ourselves in a deaf's dog state of mind, we would understand why a dog may feel particularly vulnerable in being left alone since it would be unable to hear noises that could sense danger. The dog is also prone to startle and become anxious when it does not hear well and finds itself face to face with something scary, or when it does not see well and then is touched without notice.

According to Dees Dogs in the article Living and Working with a Deaf Dog:

''Deaf dogs may have separation issues because they cannot hear. For example, if you leave your dog in a crate, she may panic because she cannot hear the activity in the other room''.

Another contributing factor if your senior dog appears more anxious, pacing in the night, and is now also suddenly starting to soil your home, is a medical condition known as ''canine cognitive dysfunction'' and often abbreviated as ''CCD.''

So yes, elderly dogs may start suffering from separation anxiety, but it is more linked to a loss of cognitive functions due to the senses deteriorating compared to the classic causes seen in separation anxiety in younger dogs.

It is imperative therefore to have a senior dog undergo a wellness exam to exclude potential hearing loss or vision loss, which may be contributing to the dog's clingy behaviors and anxiety in being left alone. Most veterinarians today recommend twice a year vet visits for senior dogs in order to make an early diagnosis and treat conditions accordingly.