My senior dog digs with her nose. Is she anxious or stressed?

This sounds like territorial behavior. Dogs are naturally driven to mark their territory. You’re probably aware that dogs urinate on objects to claim them as their own, but that isn’t the only way to mark territory. Dogs have glands in their paws that leave a distinctive scent on bedding or other objects whenever they scratch. Both male and female dogs can do this. Dogs are more likely to return to a bedding spot if they already feel it’s theirs. This may be why scratching behaviors sometimes begin or intensify when a new pet or person has moved into the house, or there has been another type of major change in the household. Since this is a new dog to your house she is likely marking her territory. I see that listed her as not spayed. If she is pregnant and getting ready to have her puppies she may do this behavior as well. I sure hope she is not pregnant at 13 years of age! Hope this helps. Best wishes.

If your dog is whining or "digging" at bedding, it may be that she is attempting to nest with her favorite toys. Dogs that are unspayed may be showing signs at the beginning of a heat cycle (displaying nesting behavior to get things ready for puppies), however spayed dogs may also have this behavior just as a comforting factor. Digging helps create a nice soft bed, and bringing a toy means having something to cuddle! It may also be that your dog is feeling a little distressed or bored, especially if the behavior happens when you are doing something else (such as focused on another task, or out of the home). If this is the case, providing a nice place for your dog to rest (such as a big bed or a kennel) may help. Providing toys that also distract such as ones filled with treats or puzzles can also help with anxiety. Leaving behind a shirt or object that smells like you in the bed may also help to comfort your dog if she is anxious. If you are concerned about your dog's behavior and do not think it is related to anxiety or normal doggie behavior, it is always a good idea to make an appointment with your local vet. Your vet can perform a complete examination and rule out any signs of illness or pain to make sure everything is OK.

Hello. With any odd change in behavior, you do want to follow up with your veterinarian as soon as possible. Hormonal changes from cystic ovaries, for example, can cause unusual behavior, & in an unsprayed older pet, the development of a pyometra could potentiate subtle signs of pain or discomfort. You should definitely make Minou an appointment to have some routine blood work done, followed up by any diagnostic imaging such as x-rays or ultrasound to be sure there are no underlying medical reasons for her unusual behavior. I hope all is well & thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Dog behavior is very complex sometimes and does not always make sense. Dogs dig for various reasons including digging at the ground and circling before lying down, as though they're trying to make a softer resting place (many dogs do this on the carpet or furniture as well.) Dogs also dig when trying to get warm or stay cool, to entertain themselves, to bury valued items, and when hunting ground-dwelling animals. Oftentimes we see our pets do things that seem odd and there isn't a good answer for their behavior. I'm not really sure in this case why Chacha is doing this but I wouldn't worry about it too much unless you start to notice other odd behaviors or signs that something is wrong with her medically. Good luck with Chacha.

I would recommend a check up for Bruno. I know he just went and had a growth removed but if there is something now starting he may just be showing symptoms. I hope he feels better soon. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Thank you for your question. I can't tell you why she is having anxiety, and it would be so much easier if our pets could talk to us! Anytime there are changes in our pet's behavior, I recommend a visit to the veterinarian to make sure there are no signs of illness. If everything checks out alright, I do have a couple suggestions you can try. Composure chews can help with mild anxiety, and are easy to give like a treat. https://www.petco.com/shop/ProductDisplay?urlRequestType=Base&catalogId=10001&categoryId=&productId=19852&errorViewName=ProductDisplayErrorView&urlLangId=-1&langId=-1&top_category=&parent_category_rn=&storeId=10151 Comfort Zone contains a calming pheromone that comes in a diffuser or spray. If you try these and there is no improvement you can always discuss prescription medications for anxiety to help Adela relax. Thanks for using PetCoach.

Hi thanks for using PetCoach. Tootsie could certainly be exhibiting some signs of anxiety. Dogs can also develop some cognitive dysfunction as they get older as well. There are some diet some supplements that can possibly help with cognitive dysfunction, as well as medications. It maybe worth a visit to her veterinarian, to discuss options and try to differentiate whether this may be anxiety or cognitive dysfunction. Here’s a bit more information on cognitive dysfunction and some foods or supplements that may help https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/behavior-counseling-senior-pet-cognitive-dysfunction https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/nutrition-for-dogs-with-cognitive-dysfunction-syndrome-cds https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/behavior-counseling-senior-pet-behavior-problems https://indoorpet.osu.edu/dogs/aging_pets/cds