As animal parents, it can be tough to leave our furry friends home alone, but knowing they’re going through separation anxiety can make it much more difficult.
While separation anxiety is not uncommon, especially for dogs, it’s important to have your veterinarian check for symptoms of separation anxiety so that any medical conditions can be ruled out. Which cells can have similar symptoms.
Helping your animal overcome their separation anxiety won’t happen overnight, but with patience and a few helpful coping mechanisms, your cat or dog will. become more comfortable when it’s time for you to leave the house.
Exercise
By going for a long walk with your dog before you have to leave, you are providing some physical and mental stimulation as well as getting your dog into a calmer state before you go. We also have some great resources for get rich ideas for your dog, with you, or when they are home alone.
You can also create a mentally stimulating environment for your cat by creating a perch by the window or by providing a plant for the cat to scratch, nap, and climb. For more cat enrichment ideas, click here.
No big goodbyes
Animals are very sensitive when it comes to reading our emotions. That’s why it’s important to treat leaving the house as a stress reliever. That means no big goodbyes and keeping talking, petting, and eye contact to a minimum for 15 minutes before leaving and after entering.
Practice
Animals with separation anxiety will often hear a noise or action that indicates you’re leaving (for example, the sound of a key, opening a door, or putting on your shoes). If your fluffy friend is getting nervous about a particular trigger, try repeating the action a few times without actually leaving (e.g. picking up and putting down your keys). Finally, you can practice walking out the door and back in an instant, working your way up to five minutes of departure and gradually increasing the time you’re away.
Keep schedule
Animals like routine. Knowing that you leave and return home at the same time every day will give your furry friend some peace of mind. Try to maintain a regular schedule, and if you know your schedule won’t be predictable for a few days, ask a family member or dog sitter to stay with your dog.
Animals with separation anxiety may find ways to relieve their stress, be it scratching, gnawing or having accidents around the house. It’s important to be patient and not scold your fluffy friend. By working with your animal gradually, your dog or cat will eventually become more comfortable and less anxious when you’re away. You can also record these behaviors and report them to your veterinarian if you are concerned they may also be related to other health problems.
Happy homes have no fear There are also some great resources you can check out to learn more about separation anxiety and help your animal adjust.
