Separation anxiety in pets

The separation anxiety that some pets can experience is a disorder whose terms are understood quite well a priori. But if we look a little closer, there are elements to clarify. When does this anxiety arise? What or who is the animal separate from? Is it a treatable disorder? How to prevent its occurrence? Our article provides answers to all these questions.

What Causes Separation Anxiety in Pets?

Separation anxiety is a disorder that may also be called “primary attachment persistence” or “abandonment neurosis.” This ailment appears more often in dogs, when the young the animal develops an excessive attachment to its master(s). In natural logic, the puppy becomes attached to its mother at birth. From the age of 3 months he gradually detaches from it. In the context of adopting a dog by a human being, it is common for the newly weaned puppy to replace attachment to his mother with attachment from his owners or a particular member of his foster family. . However, those who have become surrogate parents, or new attachment figures, do not necessarily go through the process of detachment as the mother would. When this does not happen before the dog’s puberty, the animal does not develop its affective autonomy and cannot bear being separated from the attachment figure.

There are also contexts in which nothing has been done to teach the dog or cat to be alone: ​​it is not an innate or easy situation to live with when the animal has never faced one. We also find this ailment as an (unexpected) consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic. Indeed, during the pandemic, we have seen an increase in telecommuting. With this increased presence in the home, pet adoptions have also increased. However, with the stabilization of the circulation of the virus, many people have had to return to their previous working arrangements, which means less presence at home. So deprived of their owner’s presence, some pets have triggered this separation anxiety disorder.

The natural anxiety of the animal, phobias or depression it can also lead the dog or cat to become overly attached to a person in the house because their presence brings peace. Furthermore, the animal experiences real anguish when it loses (animals don’t have the same notion of the passage of time as we do) its source of appeasement.

Poor parenting can lead to a dog developing what looks like separation anxiety. If a dog with a dominant temperament begins to control entries and exits on his territory, it may be more a question of sociopathy than separation anxiety.

Is it a common problem?

Attention to animal welfare along with developing understanding of pet behavior limits the occurrence of separation anxiety in many homes. The adoption of protocols of parting, which we give you below, has a lot to do with it. But there are still many dogs who can’t stand being left alone at home.

We’ve talked a lot about dogs so far because their temperament makes them more likely to suffer from separation anxiety. It can affect dogs of any age, but also cats.

Detect separation anxiety

Whatever problem a pet may have, it is best to consult a veterinarian to confirm or not your assumptions. He will also be able to advise you on the behaviors to adopt, in line with your life context.

A dog with behavioral anxiety disorder may, in your absence:

• Barking, whining or howling nonstop, from the moment the animal realizes that you are absent and for the duration of your absence;
• By adopting destructive behavior towards furniture, clothes, etc. the pet will grab different types of objects to scratch, chew or tear them apart;
• Cleaning has been acquired and accidents multiply in your absence, or you fail to get your pet to acquire cleaning reflexes.

Parallel to these behaviors that occur in your absence, your pet may, as your departure approaches, which he understands is imminent, start shaking or salivating excessively. The dog can also prolong the state of puppy: a male urinates without lifting his paw, or the heat is late in manifesting itself in a female. The dog suffering from separation anxiety often stays close to his owner during walks which are generally an opportunity to let off steam, or in any case manages to maintain eye contact.

In the cat, it is close enough. We find :

• Urine or faecal impurity;
• Excessive meowing;
• Destructive behavior towards household items.

Prevent the onset of separation anxiety

A pet accustomed from an early age to your almost constant presence cannot be left alone overnight. Certain behaviors will prevent the symptoms associated with separation anxiety from manifesting. Prevention is better than an animal rehabilitation protocol.

If it’s a dog, first of all you will put on your regular clothes to go out, you will take your bag, wallet and keys (dogs are smart: if you don’t simulate a real departure and a habitual gesture or object slips by, it will notice it and won’t I’ll believe it), but without going any further and really leaving.

Then you go out but briefly, to return immediately. These exercises help reduce any anxiety your dog may feel when you leave.

Finally, you will gradually increase your absence times. When you’re away, make up for your absence by offering him toys that can distract him. The ones you stick a few into deals with they are ideal. In these cases, always remember to include the energy intake that these treats represent in the animal’s portions, even if you do not monitor your pet’s weight: excessive weight gain can happen quickly, especially if you resort to these tricks often !

It’s important to train your dog to remain calm, both when you go out and when you come back. Do nothing to turn him on during these times and don’t pet him until he’s calm. The ideal is to precede the departure with a period of exercise before leaving.

If it’s a cat, the best way to prevent separation anxiety is to distract the cat’s attention with stimulating toys such as those mentioned for the dog, by placing the food ration in a hiding place or in an interactive game. Let him play calmly before leaving.

Can a pet with separation anxiety return to normal behavior?

It is important to make an overall diagnosis of the situation you are experiencing. This takes into account:

• Your dog’s age and gender;
• The nature of the animal’s behaviors that cause problems;
• The duration and frequency of these problem behaviors (since when, permanent or intermittent);
• The nature of the animal’s relationship with its master(s) (it is necessary to evaluate the degree of attachment of the animal and the existence or otherwise of hierarchical interactions);
• Any clinical tests.

A diagnosis to complete it will make it possible to make predictions about the evolution and to propose a serious protocol for the care of the animal. Without it, you risk wasting time and experiencing no improvement, or even making the situation worse.

If separation anxiety is confirmed, a behaviorist will propose a tailor-made program for your pet to acquire or regain emotional autonomy (i.e. a level of attachment that can be described as “normal”) and social maturity. Chemical treatment may be offered to facilitate learning and help the animal relax. These can be non-medicinal products such as pheromones or essential oils, but also psychiatric drugs.

With patience, you should be able to change your furry friend’s behavior. It is a cure that really takes time, in the same way as psychotherapy for a human being. You may be asked to change some lifestyle habits to stop the stimuli that trigger your pet’s abnormal behavior. Every detail counts in the process.

Source link