Why is my calm senior dog suddenly aggressive and growling at night?

Question

My dog has recently been having very bad behavioral changes like growling at us, barking at us,showing teeth, almost biting when we do nothing more then touch him. Before this he was a VERY calm dog, i mean no behavioral issues ever before. He has always had a calm demeanor and would never even hurt a fly but now its the complete opposite. He still eats normally and has a high energy level but we have noticed this behavior change at night. He is 14 years old, male and neutered. Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Small (up to 22lb) | Male | neutered | 15 years and 3 months old | 15 lbs

Ana M, DVM · Accepted Answer

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Benny. I am sorry to hear about his behavior changes. That is very upsetting. I recommend that he sees his veterinarian. My first thought is that he could have a medical problem contributing to the change you are observing in him. For example, if a dog is painful from arthritis, an ear infection, periodontal disease or some other issue, he may act out aggressively. Another consideration is if he has dementia. This is common in older pets and is frequently observed at night. The veterinarian will thoroughly examine him and determine how best to help you both. In the meantime, be careful around him to keep yourself safe and do not give any over-the-counter pain medications as these can be toxic to dogs. I hope this information helps!

Why is my calm senior dog suddenly aggressive and growling at night?

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