Imagine this: It’s Monday morning in the (near) future, and for the first time in a long time, you’re heading out and leaving the pet(s) you love behind. How are they going to handle it? If they had signs of separation anxiety before COVID-19, will the symptoms return and possibly be even more pronounced? And could a pet who never showed signs of separation anxiety in the past exhibit signs now? What can you do?
What is separation anxiety?
That’s a great question. But as Board Certified Veterinary Behaviorist Dr. Alexandra Moesta wrote in a recent article, there are a range of factors and it’s sometimes difficult to pinpoint the primary cause.
“Sometimes, signs of separation anxiety are brought about by a sudden change to a dog’s environment like moving to a new house or family, a change to their individual living circumstances, such as spending a lot of time with their human(s) without being left alone, or even the loss of another family pet,” writes Dr. Moesta.
And some pets who have historically suffered from anxiety-related disorders may be more susceptible to being affected again.
Look for signs
Pet separation anxiety can start before you depart. For example, a pet might not want to leave your side, might not eat their breakfast, might pant a lot, and/or might try to leave the house with you. When you do leave, dogs with separation anxiety might whine or bark and might react to noises outside the house that wouldn’t typically concern them when you’re at home. They might also chew or otherwise damage things while you’re gone.
Help the furbaby you love
Dr. Moesta provides valuable advice about things you can do now if you suspect your dog may be at risk of separation anxiety when you do return to work. Here are some keys to understand:
Keep a consistent, predictable routine and spend some time apart
Tempting as it is to enjoy lots of time with our dogs right now, it is important to establish a predictable routine that somewhat resembles pre-lockdown life. A consistent routine that allows them to predict what’s going to happen next, will go a long way in reducing stress.
This new routine should also include some time away from you and anyone else in your household. Whether you decide to bring them to doggie daycare, put them behind a pet gate in a separate room, or by leaving them at home when you nip out for some essential shopping. It is important to make sure your dog is comfortable while you’re away.
Use training & enrichment activities
Now is a good time to practice training exercises. Make sure you reinforce calm behaviors and relaxed postures, when you are at home. So next time your dog relaxes on their bed, make sure to bring a tasty treat to them which they can chew on their bed or to praise them for being calm.
At Furbaby, we train dogs daily to stay calm with just such training. When your dog is calm and relaxed, we give them a treat and some lovin’ so they know they are behaving properly.
Stay active
We’re all familiar with the advice around making sure we get enough exercise during this period, and the same goes for our pets. Exercise can help to improve mood and expend pent-up energy. Exercise has also been linked to higher BDNF in the brain, which may be one of the many reasons why exercise is so beneficial. Exercise is also an important factor to create a consistent daily routine for your dog.
Playtime!
Keep an eye on their anxiety and adapt your approach
If your dog does begin to display signs of anxiety when you leave them, you can help them feel more comfortable by introducing small absences, even if you are just in another room for short periods of time, to help teach them that time apart is safe.
It is also important to keep your “hellos” and “goodbyes” low key – having minimal fuss leaving and homecoming rituals is really important in helping your dog understand that your absence is no big deal.
Ask for advice and help
When you do go back to work, you can help manage your dog’s transition by establishing a network of people who can help. Family, friends, dog walkers, and doggie day-care centers can all smooth a return to ‘normality’ for your pet and reduce any worries about their well-being for you. However, if you plan to use these services, plan ahead and start the transition before you have to go back to work full-time. If you believe your pet is experiencing separation anxiety, get in touch with your veterinarian.
Finally, a special note for cat lovers: It might surprise some of you that cats can suffer from separation anxiety, too. They usually can’t voice their stress quite as boldly as dogs, but they may express themselves through other behavior, including not using the litter box, hiding, and not eating.
If you need any help reducing your pet’s anxiety, or just want them to socialize and have some fun, let Furbaby help! Our expert Pet Caregivers are available 24/7 to take care of your dog’s needs. We have certified Vet-Tech’s on staff and a great relationship with Clint Moore Animal Hospital. We’re here to help you provide the best possible life for your furbaby!
Thank you for taking the time to read this post and be on the lookout for more helpful information to come.
Have a Furtastic day,
Nicole
P.S.
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