Separation Anxiety in Pets and Separation Anxiety in Pet Owners Too!
Separation Anxiety Problems and their Solutions: Summary
- Separation anxiety is a problem in pets who dislike being left alone. Their anxiety results in unwanted behaviours such as barking, inappropriate toileting, escaping, hiding or destructive behaviour.
- Management of canine barking is important. Leaving your pet in a safe area with calming tools and a job to occupy them may help.
- Long term solutions involve letting your pet get used to being alone gradually and positively. Medications may help.
What is Separation Anxiety in Pets (and People)?
Separation anxiety, also known as separation-related distress, occurs when pets are overly bonded to their owners and then fret when left alone. Owners can feel guilty too and we see separation anxiety in pet owners too!
Separation anxiety is common in dogs but cats and some birds may suffer too. and pet owners can also feel anxiety at having to leave their pet alone.
Read more about:
Anxiety in dogs
Anxiety in cats
Symptoms of separation anxiety in pets
How do you know if your pet has separation anxiety?
Common symptoms of separation anxiety in dogs include:
- barking and whining
- escaping and roaming
- scratching at gates/doors
- inappropriate toileting behaviour
- chewing, digging and general destructive behaviour
Cats with separation-related issues will often display symptoms including sleeping, pacing, crying or toileting inappropriately. These cats may sleep more than normal or they may pace or cry near doorways where you have left. Anxious cats often toilet inappropriately around their home.
Pets who suffer from separation anxiety generally display these unwanted behaviours immediately after their owner’s departure. Some pets start to get anxious even before you leave. They have learned your patterns of behaviour and are anticipating your departure.
If your pet has separation anxiety, you will likely have seen evidence of some of the symptoms described above. Your neighbour may tell you that your dog barks soon after you leave home. You may find your lawn dug up.
if you are unsure but suspect your pet has separation anxiety, then you could sneak back to listen or watch your pet, where they cannot see you. Or you could erect a video camera and spy on your pet when they are alone.
Timing of Separation Anxiety in Pets
Most cases of separation anxiety in pets occur within 30 minutes of you leaving home. In fact, most are within a few minutes of you leaving.
Some will even display symptoms of anxiety prior to you leaving. they are so aware of your routines that they know by the shoes you wear or the timing of your morning shower or breakfast, that you are going to leave them and they start to get anxious.
If you see the described symptoms but only after our pet has been alone for hours, it is more likely to be boredom causing the behaviour issues.