It’s not uncommon for pets to experience separation anxiety when the kids go back-to-school and they are left alone for long periods of time. So what’s the difference between some back-to-school blues and separation anxiety? Pets with separation anxiety can appear distressed when you prepare to leave the home and can become overly-enthusiastic upon your return. This makes for a stressful situation for everyone.
Signs of Separation Anxiety
If your dog displays any of these behaviors when left alone, they may be experiencing separation anxiety:
- House soiling
- Destructive behavior, such as digging and chewing
- Barking, howling, and whining for long periods of time
Solutions for Separation Anxiety
We all want our pets to be happy – and the good news is that there are ways you can help reduce your dog’s mild to moderate separation anxiety. Here are three solutions:
Use a Calming Supplement
Help reduce the stress that causes excessive indoor barking and other unwanted behaviors with a diffuser. Simply plug the diffuser into the room where your dog will spend the most time for continuing stress relief. Adaptil Diffusers release a drug-free, odorless vapor that mimics a dog’s own natural, soothing pheromones. Pretty neat, huh?
Bite-Sized Chews are a calming supplement to support relaxation in situations that cause nervousness, anxiety or stress in your dog. This is the perfect treat to give as you are preparing to leave the house.
Use a Calming Collar
Expose your dog to a continuous stream of relaxing pheromones with a calming collar. It will help them overcome stress, wherever they go. SENTRY Dog Calming Collars use patented GOOD Behavior pheromone technology by using a pheromone that mimics the one mother dogs produce to calm their puppies. (Isn’t that sweet?) The collars are clinically proven to reduce or eliminate stress-related behavior and release pheromones for up to 30 days.
In most cases, your dogs’ anxiety will lessen after he or she becomes accustomed to a new routine. If it doesn’t, or your pet’s separation anxiety is more serious, consult with a trainer or your veterinarian for advice. You may also try boosting your pet’s mood with these boredom busting toys.
