Separation Anxiety in Pets

Sep

“Home Alone”. Those words conjure up images of adorable eight-year-old Macaulay Culkin as Kevin McCallister navigating his way through being left behind when his family accidentally went on vacation without him. Young Kevin maneuvered his way through the unknown territory of being alone and, of course, was eventually happily reunited with his family. As school begins for most of us, our pets may feel more anxiety than Kevin did as they adjust to being home alone during the day.

Separation anxiety is a legitimate disorder in pets. Dogs are more likely to experience separation anxiety than cats, but cats with a history of abandonment, abuse, or being passed between multiple owners have a high risk for experiencing separation anxiety. Major change in family routines and/or your pet being home alone for long periods of time after s/he has gotten used to nearly constant human companionship are triggers for your pet to develop separation anxiety.

Signs of Separation Anxiety

Signs of separation anxiety differ in dogs and cats. You may find that your dog is pacing, panting, yawning, trembling, hiding, or barking and howling when alone. Your dog may become clingy or exhibit destructive behavior, causing damage by chewing or scratching. They may begin having potty accidents despite being house broken, or may even attempt to escape their crate, pen, or through a door or window when they are left alone.

Cats may begin having potty accidents outside the litter box or spraying around the house. S/he may exhibit changes in eating or sleeping habits, begin hiding, or displaying aggressive behavior. Your feline friend may groom or lick themselves excessively, become more vocal than normal, or begin scratching destructively. Cats’ separation anxiety can even manifest in stomach upset causing diarrhea.

Helpful Hints for Transitioning Your Pet

Humans returning to school and work will require their pets to adjust to a new normal. There are several ways you can help them transition to being alone during the day, including:

For both cats and dogs, begin leaving them alone for short periods of time prior to your return to a full-time work or school schedule. Get them used to being alone for short periods of time, gradually increasing the length of time they are left alone.
Set up a safe place for your pet where they feel relaxed and calm. Allow your pet to explore and enjoy that area for short periods of time before you go back to work. A crate or playpen may work for a dog while a cat tree or cat bed near a window would be suitable for a cat.
Get your pet a new toy or leave an extra treat for them to find while you are gone.
Show your pet love, attention, and affection when you return home, but make sure to require your dog to mind their manners and not reward them with pets if they jump on you upon your return.
Make sure your pet gets plenty of exercise when you are home together.

What if None of These Tips Work?

Remember that your pet will take their emotional cues from you. As much as you’d love to stay home with them all day, you have to return to work to provide them with the lifestyle to which they’ve become accustomed. If these tips don’t work to help your furry friend transition to being home alone when your family returns to their normal routine, we may be able to help by suggesting medication and/or supplements to help them adjust. The separation anxiety may be inevitable, but it is manageable.