Managing Pet Separation Anxiety

Separation anxiety is a common in pets, especially in dogs. If your pet gets upset when you leave or becomes destructive, they may have separation anxiety. At South Federal Animal Hospital, in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, we can provide treatment so your furry friend stays calm when you have to temporary be away.

What is Separation Anxiety?

Separation anxiety occurs when your pet becomes anxious or upset when you leave. You may notice that your cat or dog follows you around the house and wants to be near you all the time. Most pets with separation anxiety will also want a lot of attention and affection from you.

Signs of Separation Anxiety

Pets are observant and will show signs of separation anxiety when are preparing to leave the house. They may bark, whine, pant, or drool. Once you leave, separation anxiety typically magnifies and your pet may become destructive, bark or whine excessively, or have accidents in the house. When you return home, they will show signs of extreme excitement.

Managing Pet Separation Anxiety

The first step to managing separation anxiety is to make sure your pet gets plenty of exercise, mental stimulation, and has toys to play with that can help keep them relaxed. You'll also need to reward good behavior and ignore unwanted behavior. You may find that when your pet gets anxious or seeks your attention, you reward them by playing with them, which encourages them to continue the behavior.

We recommend that you instead reward your pet for being calm. You may want to praise them when they are playing by themselves. If they become anxious and seek your attention, wait until they have calmed down and then praise or pet them. If your pet has severe separation anxiety, we suggest that you speak with our veterinarians. In addition to at-home remedies, there are veterinary treatments, including medication, that can be helpful.

Contact us for Treatment Today

If your pet is experiencing separation anxiety in, South Federal Animal Hospital in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, can help. Our vets can discuss your pet’s condition with you and create a treatment plan that will help them stay calm when you are not home. Call us at (954) 523-8527 to schedule an appointment!