Question:
Our 16-year-old dog, Mandy, a terrier mix, has suddenly started to chew things that she never did before -- the edge of a pillow, her blanket, an extension cord (fortunately unplugged) and the leg of a chair.
It seems to happen while we are gone from the home for a while. Any suggestions to stop this behavior will be appreciated.
J.V.S., Winston-Salem, NC Nov 14, 2011
Answer:
Your dog's chewing behavior may be purely psychological, stemming from a combination of age-related insecurity (often brought on by loss of hearing and/or vision), separation anxiety or senile dementia.
Take her with you whenever you can, but first have her thoroughly examined by a veterinarian for a possible underlying physical cause, such as chronic pain arising from arthritis, dental problems or cancer. One of the cardinal signs of chronic discomfort in old dogs is obsessive chewing that can be aggravated when they are left alone. A full health checkup to help identify what is troubling your dog should provide the answer as to the best course of treatment.
Regrettably, old dogs behaving like yours are too often punished, put up for adoption or euthanized. Adult dogs younger than yours can become compulsive chewers because they must endure unstimulating lives of solitary indoor confinement while the human family members are away all day at work and school. Far too many are kept in a crate or cage and develop abnormal obsessive behaviors such as compulsively licking and chewing their paws or bedding in their enclosure.
At about 10 years of age, one of our dogs periodically sought out any small object she could find -- such as a ballpoint pen or notepad paper, or leaves and twigs when outdoors -- to chew and swallow. She would do this to induce vomiting, which can be an indication of mild stomach irritation or nausea associated with more serious conditions such as chronic liver disease. Blood tests revealed the latter, which was corrected with appropriate supplements (including the miraculous milk thistle) and a special diet. Her seemingly obsessive behavior, termed "pica," quickly subsided as she returned to good health.
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