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How Your Absence Affects Your Pet

Settling separation anxiety and related behaviors

Native Remedies

While many pet owners try to include their pets in all activities and travels, there will usually come a time when they must be left in the care of others. Whether this means putting the dog or cat in a boarding kennel or staying with friends or family, being away from home and their familiar surroundings can lead to anxiety, depression, and other behavioral issues in pets.

Left untreated or undiagnosed, these issues can develop into lasting ailments, with cumulative negative health effects over time. While minor behavioral changes may be noticed on a daily basis, extended summer travel can exacerbate an already existing problem. Therefore, it is very important to recognize the great physical and mental impact separation anxiety can have on dogs and cats, and to take appropriate action when necessary to alleviate the effects of the absence. 

Separation anxiety in cats and dogs can trigger behavioral problems such as sulking, hiding, whining after the owner leaves, inappropriate urination or defecation, chewing, scratching, vomiting, incessant following of the care taker, displaying an overly enthusiastic greeting upon the owner’s arrival, inactivity or hyperactivity, lethargy, changes in appetite, diarrhea, and excessive coat licking.

These behaviors can manifest to other health problems such as dangerous weight fluctuations, aggression, disobedience, depression, and other more serious conditions. Identifying the origin of the anxiety is critical. If underlying physical discomfort is suspected, consulting with a veterinarian is a wise decision in order to rule out underlying diseases that may be causing symptoms similar to those of separation anxiety.

Dealing with undesirable behaviors caused by separation anxiety requires some planning guidance, beginning as soon a puppy or kitten is brought into the home. To prevent separation anxiety, avoid situations that encourage excessive attachment—making it easier for the pet to live independently. This includes teaching a pet to feel comfortable alone early on, and introducing solitary time via a crate or isolation room. If a pet feels that this time is not punishment but rather normal behavior, it will become accepted.

If an adult dog or cat is suffering from separation anxiety, methods to slowly train tolerance of the absence will be necessary. A simple, effective technique involves leaving the pet alone for a few minutes and then returning—following by petting or rewarding positive behavior. Repeating this over time and slowly increasing the length of time away should help to calm the anxiety the pet was experiencing.

Most of the time, providing a ‘safety cue’ when the dog or cat is left alone proves quite effective. A safety cue could be a specific toy to play with, leaving the television or radio on, or  repeating a phrase upon departure. Adding elements that make a pet’s environment more stimulating may help, as well. For instance, cats often enjoy climbing ledges, carpeted towers, and perches. Both cats and dogs often like having access to a window to peer out.    

Sometimes, making behavioral modifications is just not quite enough to solve emotional conflicts. While conventional medications rely upon suppressing anxiety, they merely mask the symptoms leading to behavioral problems, rather than addressing the animal’s health in a holistic way to find the root of the problem. The side effects of these drugs are another inhibiting factor, and often lead people to a search for alternate measures. Coupled with behavior modification efforts, natural remedies can prove to be very effective in solving separation anxiety-related problems, while avoiding the side effects that accompany most drugs.

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