How to Deal with Separation Anxiety in Pets
Separation anxiety is common among pets regardless of age, background, lifestyle, or home environment. While it may be seen more often in younger animals learning how to cope with solitude, older pets, especially seniors experiencing cognitive decline or vision/hearing loss, may feel panic at the sight of their owner’s car keys or packed lunch. Any time alone is too long for some pets to tolerate. If untreated, separation anxiety in pets can cause big problems at home.
A Pet’s Perspective
Pets have enormous capacity to learn and change, but time is essential for them to integrate the numerous details of living with people. They want to please their owners, but sometimes their instincts or impulsiveness get the better of them. In this way, pets need to learn that despite your imminent departure, you are definitely coming back. As they have no concept of time, they require and deserve reassurance that the separation is temporary.
Signs of Separation Anxiety
It can be confusing to know what triggers are causing symptoms of anxiety or other behavioral problems. A wellness exam can rule out any preexisting medical conditions that could be the root of problematic behaviors. Separation anxiety can affect pets that also experience fear of storms, fireworks, crowds, strangers, and traffic, and causes the following symptoms:
- Destructive chewing, biting, scratching, and clawing
- Soiling inside the house
- Increased vocalizations
- Pacing
- Drooling
- Panting
- Hiding
- Frantic escape attempts
- Lack of appetite
- Excessive grooming or self harm
- Over-exuberant greeting of owner
Speak Their Language
Before you leave the home for work, school, appointments or errands, be sure to:
- Give your pet an opportunity to thoroughly exhaust themselves on a run, walk, hike, game of fetch, or swim.
- Reward them with praise and tasty, high-value treats.
- Set them up with a food puzzle (such as a Kong filled with frozen non-fat, plain yogurt) or other engaging, yet safe, chew toys.
- Start with an hour or two away from home; gradually increase time apart when your pet demonstrates confidence and trust in your safe return.
- Depending on your pet’s age, they may be able to withstand a four-hour stretch at home alone. However, be sure they are safe from harm by crate training them, or leaving them in a smaller, closed-off area of the home that also has an open crate they can retreat to.
- Hire a dog walker or pet sitter to come by so your pet can relieve themselves, play, connect with others, and exercise.
- Doggy daycare settings provide incredible options for dogs that need mental, physical, and social stimulation.
- Once you establish a routine, stick to it as closely as possible. When a pet can anticipate when you’re about to arrive, or when they can go to the bathroom, or when they can enjoy meals, they are much more content.
- Help your pet become better adjusted to daily separation by remaining calm and neutral when you return home. This is very challenging to do, but if you act overly excited to see them, you may inadvertently reinforce their anxiety.
Good Prognosis for Pet Separation Anxiety
Preventing a pet’s separation anxiety from developing into a phobia takes a realistic approach. In some cases, prescription medication is necessary.
Sunrise Boulevard Animal Hospital is always here to help your pet thrive. Please call us with any questions or concerns about your pet’s behavior at (916) 726-2334.