House Soiling, Vocalization,
and Other Changes

Senior pets, especially older spayed females, may have difficulty controlling their bladder. If your senior dog or cat starts showing signs of incontinence, consult your veterinarian to rule out illness, such as diabetes, kidney failure, or Cushing's disease (an endocrine disorder). If your pet suffers both urinary and fecal incontinence, neurological or spinal disorders may be the cause. Your veterinarian can determine if any medications will help with these conditions.

Other behavior changes, such as excessive vocalization, shyness, inactivity or nervousness, could signal that your senior pet is losing his sight or hearing-or your dog's excessive barking could merely be a call for attention, If this is the case, the solution may be to give your pet more attention when his barking stops. If excessive barking persists, talk with your veterinarian for further advice.