Behaviour Changes in Dogs and Cats: When Should Brighton Pet Owners See a Vet?

Behaviour changes are often the first sign something is not right. If your dog or cat is acting differently - even subtly - it may indicate an underlying medical issue. Many owners assume behaviour changes are just ageing or personality shifts. In reality, pain, illness, or discomfort is frequently the cause.

In dogs, signs worth investigating include: sudden aggression or irritability (often pain-related), reduced enthusiasm for walks or play, changes in sleep patterns, increased clinginess or withdrawal, house soiling in a previously clean dog, excessive licking or chewing at a body part, and changes in appetite.

In cats, behaviour changes can be even more subtle: hiding more than usual, reduced grooming or over-grooming, changes in litter box use, vocalising more, reduced jumping, and changes in interaction with people or other pets.

Any significant behaviour change that is new, sudden, or out of character warrants a veterinary assessment rather than a wait-and-see approach. This is particularly true in middle-aged and older pets, where behaviour changes are more likely to have a medical cause.

Conditions commonly associated with behaviour changes in pets include dental pain, arthritis and joint disease, hyperthyroidism in cats, cognitive dysfunction syndrome (similar to dementia), urinary tract infections, and neurological conditions. Many of these are highly manageable once identified.

If you have noticed your pet is not quite themselves, book a consultation. Tell us what you have observed and when it started. That history is often the most valuable diagnostic information we have.

Call us on (03) 9592 9811 or book online at middlebrightonvet.com.au/book-online.