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22 Aug 2024

VetAssist: Separation Anxiety in Pets

 

Tips if your pet is experiencing separation anxiety


After many months of spending more time at home with our pets, this has become their new normal. Regardless of whether your pets have been part of the family for some time prior to COVID-19, or if they joined the family during and have not known life any other way, changes to restrictions in the future will mark a sudden and impactful change in your pet’s life. 

Some pets will take this in their stride, while others will find it harder, and you may see some signs of separation related distress. 

So how can you help them cope well when spending time alone? 

1. Start to introduce some alone time

Now is the time to start spending some time away from your pets where possible. Techniques include:

Moving out of your pet’s direct line of sight.

Spending time apart in a different room.

Taking short trips outside whilst they remain at home.

It is important to slowly increase your distance and/or time away from your pets so they can become confident and relaxed with the gradual changes. 

2. Make sure the alone time is fun

Encourage your pets to have fun whilst they are home alone. We want to give them amazing things to do when they are not directly with you, to create positive associations. Food rewards suit most pets, so on departure consider giving your pet a food puzzle or chew toy  filled with appropriate treats; they won’t even know you’re gone!

You can start to introduce some activities as well, such as hiding a chew toy filled with treats and teaching them to find it. You can start making the toy very easy to find, and gradually make it more difficult for them to locate it. This is more suitable for a single dog home, as there is a risk of fighting over the prize in a multi-dog home.

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With cats, ensure they have multiple places to hide (e.g cardboard boxes) and climb; get creative and utilise the vertical space in your home.

 

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3. Know the signs of distress and monitor for them

There are many ways that a pet who is home alone might show you that they are experiencing separation related distress. Depending on the severity, pets may:

Plant

Salivate

Pace around the house

Vocalise

Urinate or defecate inside

Perform destructive behaviours (e.g. scratching doors, chewing at bedding)

 

Video monitoring is a great way for you to see exactly what your pet gets up to and how they are coping when they are alone. There are many options on the market for this; you can purchase and install a pet camera that you can monitor remotely, or look for a dog monitoring app where no hardware is needed to be purchased, but may require two devices.

 

4. Seek Veterinary help

The signs of distress above can also be attributed to medical problems and other causes of anxiety. First thing to do if you are seeing these signs with your pet is to consult your Vet. Underlying medical problems need to be treated, and for severe anxiety - medication and supplements may be prescribed in addition to a behavioural plan.

 

Written by Dr Claire Jenkins

Dr. Claire Jenkins, a proud graduate of a Queensland veterinary school, brings over 15 years of hands-on experience as a beloved neighborhood veterinarian to VetAssist.

 

Her career has spanned both Australia and the UK, fostering a deep understanding of the unique challenges and joys that pet ownership brings. A lifelong animal lover, Dr. Jenkins founded VetAssist out of a burning passion to ensure that pet carers everywhere have access to reliable and trusted advice exactly when they need it.

 

Her vision is a world where earlier intervention leads to healthier, happier pets and more confident pet owners. When she's not championing the well-being of animals, Dr. Jenkins cherishes her role as a devoted carer to her own furry companion, a beautiful Red-dog.

Dr Claire and her Red-dog

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