Separation Anxiety 101

with Dr. Kate Sapato

Since COVID, the traditional work schedule has shifted and many of us work from home. By this point, our pets are very used to us being home with them the majority of the time. In this article, Dr. Kate Sapato will go over all things separation anxiety.

What is separation anxiety?

Separation anxiety is a behavioral issue some pets develop that involves getting upset or distressed when their owner leaves or is out of sight. It can manifest in many ways and varies in severity, from simple signs like barking or inappropriate urination, to complete destruction of the home. Other signs include drooling, cage bar chewing, scratching at doors, and pacing. 

 If you think your pet may be exhibiting some of the behaviors associated with separation anxiety, one way to confirm is by setting up a camera while you are out. There are many affordable options out there like the Furbo or PetCube, and these can help us not only identify these behaviors, but monitor progress as we work on behavior modification training.

When should I begin preparing my pet for spending more time alone?

Since many of us work from home now, our pets have adjusted to having their favorite humans around more often which means another adjustment will be needed when work schedules shift back to pre-pandemic times. The absolute best thing you can do to help with any separation anxiety with a return to work is to start working on it now so the adjustment is more gradual. 

The goal is to start small and slowly work up to being able to leave for a full work day. If your pet has been at your feet 24/7 while you worked at home, starting small may mean having your pet behind a gate where they can still see you for a few minutes at a time, then extending that out to longer periods over time. The next step is to be out of your pet's sight for a few minutes at a time, eventually working up to being out of the home for significant periods of time. 

If at any point, your pet's separation anxiety behaviors return or worsen, it's time to take a step back to what was working before and stick with that for a few more training sessions before taking the next step.

How should I begin preparing my pet for spending more time alone?

During this process, working on counter conditioning to make the previously negative experience into a positive one is very important. It's very tempting to love on your pet when you're about to leave and make saying goodbye a big production, but that only makes it a bigger deal to your pet and worsens their anxiety. It is best to quietly leave when your pet is distracted. Giving your pet a puzzle toy like a frozen stuffed kong or lickie mat for before leaving can help your pet associate your departure with something they like and serve as positive reinforcement while keeping them busy and stimulated.

The same goes for returning home. It is best to come in and go about your day as usual, then reward your pet with cuddles and love when they are resting and calm again.  

Does my pet need anxiety medications?

 In some cases, your pet's baseline level of anxiety may be high enough that behavior modification training isn't feasible, as they are so focused on being nervous that they can't focus on anything else. In those cases, and frankly many cases, we use anxiolytic medications such as trazodone to help cut down on those baseline worries and aid in behavior modification training. 

It is a common misconception that these medications just sedate pets and make them out of it, when they truly work in the brain to reduce anxiety. In some cases, that results in a relaxed pet that wants to sleep and that's okay! There are medication options for situational anxiety as well as daily maintenance medication, and we are happy to discuss those with you at your pet's next exam if you are interested.

What about training?

 Some pets have separation anxiety that requires more intense guidance and structured training. We are more than happy to schedule an exam to screen for underlying medical causes of new behaviors and to discuss techniques for behavior modification. Another great option is to set up a telemedicine appointment to have that conversation from the comfort of your own home. 

 In some cases, we may refer you to a Board Certified veterinary behaviorist for further guidance and training techniques. Behaviorists are different from trainers, as they are classically trained veterinarians that have received extensive training in the field of behavior, making them capable of prescribing medications in addition to consulting about training and behavior modification.

We hope you found these tips useful and that they help you keep your pet happy and healthy! If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask us. As always, we’re here for you and your pets. 

Sincerely, 

The BLVD Team