Be it excessive jumping, staring vacantly into mirrors, or licking carpets and surfaces – sometimes weird doggy behavior can evoke feelings of the supernatural in their owners. But, your canine acting strangely may have less to do with demons and more to do with mental or physical conditions. So, can dogs be possessed?
Dogs can appear possessed due to R.E.M sleep disorder, separation anxiety, pain, injury, Excessive Licking of Surfaces (ELS), or nutritional imbalance, among others.
If you’re having difficulty believing us, scroll down to get the 411 on why dogs can act out. We not only compiled and comprehensively explained five reasons behind your pooch appearing ‘possessed,’ and there’s a super helpful ‘things to consider’ section full of easy-to-implement tips and pointers. After all, the devil’s in the details!
Why Is My Dog Acting Possessed – 5 Reasons
More often than not, unusual behavior in canines can evoke in their owners. Behavioral problems (whether related to psychological or physical conditions) are one of the main reasons why dogs are returned to shelters.
And if you think about it, it makes sense that sometimes people can mistake a furball experiencing behavioral change as being possessed. That’s how things went down before the field of psychology advanced.
That’s why it’s crucial to be able to understand the reason behind your pooch acting out – so you can get it the help it deserves.
R.E.M Sleep Disorder
Picture this. It’s late, and the sound of your pet’s growling wakes you from your sleep. You follow the sound only to see your puppy attacking the couch with its teeth and claws. If you’ve experienced something like this – you have our sympathies.
Seeing your dog attack inanimate objects like a zombie can be terrifying. But there’s a perfectly plausible reason – R.E.M Sleep Disorder. Canines with this sleep disorder face what we can refer to as the doggy version of sleepwalking. That means you can see your pet run, shake violently, or attack things – all while they’re asleep.
The good news is that you can wake your pup up from its bout of sleepwalking carefully and gently. Your canine may seem a little disoriented at first, but after a minute or two, it should get back to normal. Additionally, the vet can prescribe your hound clonazepam to reduce the chances of physical activity during sleep.
Separation Anxiety
Being social creatures, canines are highly susceptible to separation anxiety, some more so than others. And, here’s the tricky part – the effects of separation anxiety can manifest in different ways, making it challenging for pet owners to recognize.
Generally, symptoms of separation anxiety in dogs can include:
● Excessive chewing
● Indoor urination and defecation
● Constant scratching at the door
● Barking, howling, or whining
Any combination of the symptoms listed above is often enough for dog owners to think about something being supernaturally wrong with their pup. But the truth is, your dog is just excessively lonely and bored.
You can try and make your pet feel more at ease by spending quality time with it or playing a game of catch in the backyard. Leaving your pet alone for long periods is a recipe for disaster.
Injury/ Pain
If your pup has taken to spending time on its own, away from the family, acts threatening, or growls when you attempt to pet it – it’s not possessed; it’s in pain.
Dogs can’t express themselves with words, but typically, the most likely cause behind your furbaby hiding in corners and avoiding your touch can be an injury or illness. Things like bruises, cuts, scrapes, or even a pulled muscle can be challenging to detect in canines due to their fur.
Excessive Licking Syndrome
Not a lot of people have heard of ELS or Excessive Licking of Surfaces in canines. But we promise you – it’s an actual thing. ELS makes dogs lick everything from walls to carpets and everything in between. Watching Fido lick the floors for half an hour can get a little scary.
In the past, pet experts believed ELS was more of an obsessive-compulsive disorder, but new research has revealed that ELS may have more to do with gastro-intestinal problems than anything else.
If your dog is an obsessive licker whom you can’t stop from slobbering – then it’s possible your pet may have ELS and needs a vet’s expert advice and treatment.
Nutritional Imbalance
Another culprit behind your canine’s sudden change in character can be a nutritional imbalance.
Symptoms of nutritional imbalance can result in depression, lethargy, hair loss, skin disease, or a change in stool consistency. If your dog has been acting withdrawn and suddenly hates moving or stepping outside, you may want to keep a weather eye on its elimination schedule, coat health, and food portions. This can help you figure out if your canine is suffering from nutritional imbalance.
Can A Dog Be Evil
Apart from the fact that there’s little to no scientific evidence that proves dogs can be evil, there are centuries worth of literature that points out the loyalty and love canines have for their parents.
More often than not, people mistake a cry for help as evil behavior in dogs; however, a single visit to a pet behaviorist is enough to help you figure out what’s causing your pet to act out.
Why Is My Dog Acting Weird All Of A Sudden
Your pet’s behavior may undergo a sudden change for various reasons. For instance, if you’ve been your dog at home for more than four hours and no company, then it’s likely your pet’s acting out by chewing shoes and scratching furniture because it has separation anxiety.
Dogs aren’t just social, but they also consider their family as their pack, and that’s why being left to their own devices makes them feel distressed and nervous.
What Do You Do When Your Dog Is Acting Weird
Whether your canine isn’t feeling well or is behaving off-kilter – your first source of information and help is your veterinarian. If your vet feels your canine’s behavior requires the assistance of a canine behavior expert, he or she can refer you to one.
Other Thoughts
Seeing your lovable pooch act unlike itself can be disturbing and worrisome for pet parents. All the same, at such times, your pet needs your care and understanding to help get better. Apart from that, you can implement the following tips to help your canine feel better.
Don’t Leave Your Dog Alone For Too Long
Some canine breeds, like Huskies, thrive on company. Others can be left on their own for a while, but dog experts state you shouldn’t leave a canine on its own for more than four hours. If that’s not possible for you for whatever reason, you can always employ the help of family members, friends, or dog walkers to ensure your pup isn’t left feeling lonely for too long and has company to keep it busy.
How To Tell Your Dog’s In Pain
It can be a little challenging for new dog owners to recognize the signs of their puppy being in pain. But, if you know what to look for, you can figure out your puppy’s pain in no time. Here are the most common symptoms of a canine in pain:
● Antisocial behavior
● Threatening or aggressive behavior whenever someone tries to get close
● Lack of energy
● Loss of appetite
● Excessive licking
● Yelping, howling, etc.
● Shaking
● Agitation
● Altered breathing
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