Do you return home after a day of work to a dog who jumps all over you as if he or she hasn’t seen you in months? Do you walk in your front door after running errands to find that your dog or cat has soiled the rug or chewed up your new sofa cushions? Your pet may be displaying signs of separation anxiety. The Meowing Vet informs pet owners about the signs and causes of separation anxiety as well as treatment tools to keep your pet calm and your home intact while you’re out of the house.
Learn more below…
What Is Separation Anxiety?
Separation anxiety is anxious and sometimes destructive behavior exhibited by pets in their owner’s absence. It occurs in at least 14% of total pets in the United States, with at least 20-40% of dogs being affected. Separation anxiety is much more common in dogs than in cats, and is debatable whether or not it truly occurs in cats at all. (My opinion is that separation anxiety can in fact occur in roughly 10% of cats.) Separation anxiety is less likely to arise in cats partly because kitties are more independent than are dogs while dogs are much more dependent upon us humans for a social, bonding relationship. While cats may not always show as obvious signs of separation anxiety as do dogs, cats can become stressed in their owner’s absence, increasing the risk of: 1) feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD); 2) the recrudescence of a dormant herpesvirus which can lead to an upper respiratory tract infection (URI); and 3) the development of hepatic lipidosis, a life-threatening disease of the liver that can arise in obese cats who suddenly stop eating for an extended period of time, such as when an owner leaves for vacation.
Separation anxiety is based in fear. With anxiety, our pets become apprehensive of something that they perceive as a threat. With separation anxiety, this means that they’re anxious of being separated from their owners because either:1) something bad will happen to the pet in the owner’s absence, or 2) something bad will happen to the owner if the pet isn’t there to offer protection. We pet owners become a safety net for our pets, and when our comforting presence is not around (such as when we leave for work, to run errands, or to go on vacation), our pets become overly anxious and panicked, which can lead to unintended mental and even physical consequences in our absence.
Dogs and cats who feel afraid in their owners’ absence are more likely to experience separation anxiety. The main goal in alleviating separation anxiety is reducing our pets’ fear and making them feel safe in our absence. We also want to try to convey to our pets that we will return home – that we won’t be gone forever and that we’ll be safe without their presence and protection while we’re away. Some breed and individual personality traits can also contribute to innate predisposition toward separation anxiety.
It’s of no surprise, then, to note that separation anxiety is more common to occur in pets who are especially close or even co-dependent with their owners. Personality traits of dogs and cats at-risk for developing separation anxiety include those who follow their owners around and never want them out of their sight and who frequently seek attention and comfort from owners (especially when something frightens them). These pets are sometimes termed “Velcro® pets” based on their tendencies to latch on and stick with their owners. We may incorrectly perceive separation anxiety and over-attachment to us as a sign that our pets love us – and they do, but to keep our pets mentally and emotionally healthy, they must learn a sense of autonomy and feelings of safety in our absence. We may like to feel needed by our pets, but it’s not what’s best for them in the long run. Therefore, independence training is the foundation for treating separation anxiety.
Signs That Your Pet Has Separation Anxiety
With true separation anxiety, the behaviors listed below do not occur when the owner is home with the pet. Instead, these behaviors occur when the owner is away, often within the first 5-30 minutes or so once the owner leaves the home. Some pets may settle down after initially demonstrating behaviors of separation anxiety, while these actions may become progressively heightened in other animals the longer the owner is away. These behaviors may also worsen following a weekend or day off work when the owner is home all day with the pet for an extended period of time and then must leave.
Hypervigilance as the owner is preparing to leave the home: examples include following the owner around the house and towards the door, trying to block the exits of the home, barking or meowing, acting hyper or anxious, panting, or trembling- Vocalization: barking/meowing or whining excessively after the owner leaves
- Destructive behavior in the owner’s absence: chewing, digging, scratching, destroying furniture and even doors
- Urinary or defecation accidents in the house: This behavior occurs secondary to fear – the nervous system’s response to anxiety, not due to a failure of house-breaking, so house-training exercises are unlikely to be of much help when such behavior stems from anxiety.
- Some pets may become quieter than usual rather than overly excited. These pets may appear listless, hide, stop eating or drinking, and refuse to play or go outside for walks with a house sitter.
- Injury: Some animals may become so distressed in their owners’ absence that they induce self-harm, biting, chewing, or obsessively licking parts of their body (often the feet or tail). Injury can also arise when an animal attempts to escape from a kennel/crate or through a doorway or window to find his or her owner.
- Acting overly excited and hyper when the owner returns: jumping, barking/meowing, etc.
Assessment of Separation Anxiety
Certain characteristics of separation anxiety can appear similar to other behavioral or medical disorders. Therefore, before you attribute your pet’s actions to separation anxiety, it’s always best to have a veterinarian, veterinary behavior specialist, and/or a certified pet trainer assess your pet to ensure a correct diagnosis.
Tools to Alleviate Feelings of Separation Anxiety in Pets
Correcting separation anxiety can be a bit tricky, especially since the majority of unacceptable behavior occurs when we are not present. However, utilizing a combination of the following treatment tips
Exercise
Appropriately exercise your pet prior to your departure so that he or she does not have excessive energy without a healthy way to burn it off in your absence.
Environmental modification while the pet is home alone
Special toys that are only offered to your pet when you’re not home (including interactive feeding toys or a remote rewards training system)- Leaving your pet with a T-shirt or other item that carries your scent, which will serve as a source of comfort in your absence
- Crate-training: Confining your pet to a safe, secure area will prevent his or her chance of escaping and possibly harming himself or herself while you are away. Gradually accustoming your pet to a crate can be soothing, especially for dogs who are naturally inclined to seek the safety of a small den like their wolf ancestors. However, to reap the full benefits of crate-training, confining your pet to a crate should not just be done when you’re leaving; get your pet used to being in a crate for at least 10-15 minutes daily while you’re home so that it is not associated with a punishment, claustrophobia, or your impending departure.
Behavior training
Behavior training is the most important means of managing separation anxiety. It also takes a bit of time and patience, so practice, practice, practice! Slowly but surely, your pet is likely to shed some of his or her anxieties when you’re away from home.
Mind Your Ps and “Cues“: Our pets pick up on cues from our routine actions that we’re about to leave the house. This may include putting our shoes on, picking up our car keys or purse, turning off the television, etc. To get your pet accustomed to your actions of preparing to leave, you must gradually re-train your pet’s behavior. To do so, act like you’re leaving (turn off the TV or pick up your keys). If your dog doesn’t react yet, take it a step further by walking to the door. If still no reaction, open the door. No reaction yet? Walk outside and close the door. Once your pet begins to react anxiously, stop the action and return to normal. Once your pet appears calm at a given point in this exercise, move on to the next step until your pet is calm as you walk out the door. Gradually increase how long you remain outside the door before returning back inside. Reward your pet with a treat when he or she remains calm; this will help your pet to associate your cues of leaving the house with something positive. Try repeating this activity several times daily. If, however, the animal is not habituating during this process and is actually becoming more anxious, then switch to a different technique (or else the pet will get worse). Going on vacation and worried how your pet will react when he or she sees your suitcase? Leave your suitcase sitting out for several days before your departure to help reduce your pet’s anxiety.
Comforting noise: If your pet is comforted by the noise of a TV or radio, leave that on for him or her while you’re gone. It may help your pet feel less alone.
Keep calm: We want our arrivals to and departures from home to be as low-key as possible. Act calm and ignore your pet as you’re leaving and when you return home. This may sound cruel, but this aloof action actually helps reduce our pets’ anxiety. Ignore attention-seeking behavior while you’re home, too. Owners should not reward an exuberant greeting or else the pet may exaggerate separation anxiety behavior when the owner is gone, thus reinforcing bad behavior. Ignore your pet (no talking, no petting, no eye contact) for at least 10 minutes (or longer if your pet is still acting anxious or overexcited). Once your pet has calmed down for at least 10 consecutive minutes, you may greet your pet, but keep your demeanor calm with a low, calm tone of voice.
Positive rewards: Reward other calm behavior. Work on offering your pet a treat or gentle pat when he or she sits or lays down calmly.
No punishing: Avoid punishing your pet for destructive behavior. Once you arrive home, the destruction or house-soiling has already been done, and your pet will not associate the problem with his or her behavior. Punishing your pet when he or she doesn’t understand why may only lead to increased anxiety.
Professional help: If you still need assistance, ask your veterinarian for recommendations of a trusted and experienced pet trainer who can come to your house and help.
Be honest with yourself
Recognize that sometimes we pet owners may be the problem. Our pets can definitely be a source of comfort to us, but inappropriately placing our own anxieties and erratic moods onto our pets is likely to increase the chances that our pets develop separation anxiety. Remind yourself that you’re the owner, the caregiver, the alpha – the one who sets appropriate and healthy boundaries for your dog or cat. This is a kindness, not a punishment. You may need to be the one to gently pull yourself away from your “Velcro® pet” to help your pet overcome separation anxiety.
Prescription medications
Antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs (i.e. anxiolytics) certainly have their place as additional support for pets with more severe separation anxiety. However, medication alone is not an effective means of treating separation anxiety or most other behavioral disorders. Medications should be used in concert with a consistent behavioral modification plan. Antidepressant or anxiolytic drugs are not recommended to be used for more than several months in most cases due to potential side effects. Once an effective dose has been reached (this may take several weeks of consistent drug administration to achieve), the medication dose may be able to be tapered over time based on your vet’s recommendations. While your pet is taking these medications, do not stop abruptly! Your pet should should be slowly weaned off these medications based upon your veterinarian’s advice to prevent disrupting your pet’s important brain neurotransmitters. And please remember that though many of the same medications prescribed to pets to treat anxiety disorders can also be used in human medicine, it is illegal to take a medication prescribed for your vet and ill-advised to offer a pet a drug prescribed to you.
Your veterinarian may prescribe a drug for your pet from one of the following medication categories:
- Benzodiazepine: example – alprazolam (Xanax®); may take at least 4 weeks to reach peak effectiveness
- Tricyclic antidepressant (TCA): examples – amitriptyline, clomipramine (Clomicalm®)
- Selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitor (SSRI): – examples – fluoxetine (Prozac® or Reconcile®), paroxetine, or sertaline; may take over 2 weeks to reach peak effectiveness; can cause liver side effects in some dogs, so not recommended to be used for over 2 months
- Buspirone
Other anxiety-reducing products
Nutritional supplements that your vet recommends, such as:
- melatonin
- products with L-theanine (such as Composure™ or Anxitane™)
- products with S-adenosyl-methionine (SAMe): commonly used as a liver support supplement, such as Denosyl™, these supplements may also stabilize neurotransmitters in the brain to help alleviate feelings of anxiety
- Pheromone therapy (such as Feliway® for cats)
- Calming wraps (such as Thundershirt®)
Keep your pet occupied or offer some company
Enrolling your dog in doggie day care or hiring a dog walker or pet sitter to keep your dog or cat company in your absence may offer some comfort to some pets.
– Maranda Elswick, DVM
If you are worried that your pet is displaying worrisome behavior in your absence, and you’re concerned about separation anxiety, The Meowing Vet encourages you to speak with your personal veterinarian to have your dog or cat medically and behaviorally assessed.
