Pet is trying to grip, tear or pierce skin with the teeth. The tendency to bite others differs from pet to pet, depending on breed, situation, and the way they are raised. A single incident of biting does not always have a medical of psychological cause, in some cases it was an accident. However, when a pet shows a sudden tendency to bite, it may be caused by a medical condition. In that case it is advised to consult a veterinarian.
How to Recognize
The pet parent should determine if the dog was playing or showing signs of aggression. If the dog is being playful, his face will often be relaxed and he will not likely have any tension in his face. The type of bite from a playful dog is not often painful. If the dog is being aggressive, the bite is likely to be extremely painful and fast.
Causes of Biting
A single incident of Biting does not always have a medical of psychological cause, in some cases it was an accident or the dog was attempting to play with you. However, when a pet shows a sudden tendency to bite, quickly and painfully, it may be caused by a medical condition, such as some type of pain your dog may be experiencing. In that case, it is advised to consult with a veterinarian.
Diagnosis
If your dog is relaxed in his bite, it is likely the dog is displaying mouthing behavior which is essentially the dog or puppy being playful. If the dog is painful and quick in his bite, he is likely to be diagnosed with aggressive biting behavior.
Possible Conditions
If your dog is biting and the cause is medical, this could be due to a number of problems, including but not limited to adrenal dysfunction, seizures, thyroid imbalances or orthopedic problems. The dog may also simply be old. If the dog is “aged,” he or she is likely to lash out due to pain and/or confusion. Various diets can also cause the dog to be behavioral due to imbalances in their nutrient levels.
Treatment for Biting
If the dog is biting due to a medical problem, it is best to work with a veterinarian to determine a solution. If the veterinarian does discover a medical problem, he or she will work closely with you, the pet parent, to determine the best solution to the problem. There may be various treatments recommended based upon the medical information discovered. If your dog is not biting due to a medical problem and rather due to a behavioral problem, it may be best to consult with a pet behavior expert. Biting can be extremely difficult and dangerous to deal with. Working with a pet behavior specialist will assist you in implementing a plan to correct this difficult behavior. The behavior specialist will develop a plan customized to your pet’s temperament and situation. The pet behavior expert can monitor the dog throughout the process and determine how to best proceed based upon the progress of the dog.
Pet Insurance
When adding a dog or cat to your family you want to make sure your pet is happy, healthy and protected. During its lifetime your pet is exposed to many illnesses and diseases and some breeds are affected by a congenital disease which is a condition existing at birth. At these moments when your pet is ill or maybe needs surgery, you want to be protected for the unexpected and high veterinarian costs.
