Dealing with Separation Anxiety in Pets: Tips and Strategies

Summary

As many pet owners return to work after adopting pets during the pandemic, concerns arise about how pets are dealing with being left alone. Dr. McAllister, chief medical officer of Banfield Pet Hospital, offers insights from data collected over 9.5 million pet visits in 2021 from 1,000 hospitals across America. The data suggests that dogs and cats are experiencing separation anxiety, with cats being twice more anxious than before the pandemic. This article offers tips and strategies that pet owners can use to help their pets navigate this anxiety.

Introduction
Tips for Calming Your Pet
Setting Up a Better Routine
Exercise Before Leaving
Monitoring Your Pet While You’re Away
Pet Supplements and Pheromones
Returning to Work with Pets
Conclusion

Introduction

The pandemic saw 23 million American households adopt pets, which means that many of these pets have never been left alone. This change in routine can be especially disruptive for pets who have grown accustomed to having their owners at home all day. Dr. McAllister notes that pets sense these changes and are experiencing anxiety, which can manifest in different ways, such as increased pacing or hiding. As pet owners, it’s important to understand how to help our pets deal with separation anxiety as we return to work.

Tips for Calming Your Pet

The first tip for calming your pet is to practice leaving them for progressively longer periods. This helps ease them into being alone for an extended period without feeling abandoned. As you practice, make sure to remain calm and collected during goodbyes and greetings. Additionally, giving your dog a favorite treat or toy as you leave can help distract them from feeling anxious.

When you return home, it’s important to ignore your pet for a little while to allow them to settle down. This way, they won’t get overly excited and reinforce the idea that being left alone is something to be stressed about. Behaviorally, setting up a better routine is also important, as pets like to know what to expect at different times of the day.

Setting Up a Better Routine

Setting up a better routine is essential for pets, as it helps them feel secure and confident. This means establishing fixed times for walking, feeding, and other activities so that they can anticipate when their owners will be around. A consistent routine also helps minimize change, which is something that pets can find stressful.

Exercise Before Leaving

Exercise before leaving is another great way to help burn off any excess anxiety or energy that pets might have. Walks and regular exercise are crucial for pets’ mental and physical well-being, especially during times of stress. For cats, playing with a toy or engaging them in physical activity before leaving can help reduce anxiety and keep them calm.

Monitoring Your Pet While You’re Away

Monitoring your pet while you’re away can help you keep an eye on them and know how they’re doing. This is especially useful for anxious pets that may get into mischief or self-harm when left alone. Pet cameras can be an excellent tool for this, allowing owners to watch their pets and dispense treats to them during the day.

Pet Supplements and Pheromones

Finally, pet supplements and pheromones can be helpful for calming anxious pets. Nutrients like milk protein and L-tryptophan can have a calming effect on dogs and cats alike. Pheromones are also becoming more popular, as they can help soothe pets by mimicking the natural scents that mother animals give off.

Returning to Work with Pets

As more people return to work, the question arises of whether pets can come along. A survey by Banfield Pet Hospital found that 57% of pet owners would want to take their pets to work with them. The good news is that 50% of CEOs plan to institute some sort of pet-friendly policy in the near future. Furthermore, a recent study found that employees in pet-friendly workplaces are more engaged with their work and willing to recommend their employers to others.

Conclusion

Pets provide us with amazing support and comfort, and it’s essential to ensure that they receive the consistency, stability, and support they need to thrive. By following the tips and strategies outlined in this article, pet owners can help their furry friends navigate the anxiety of being left alone as they return to work. With the right care, attention, and preparation, we can ensure that our pets are happy, healthy, and relaxed, even when we’re away.