Back to school: Separation anxiety and pets

With the school season coming back in full swing, your family will be adjusting to the new schedule – and that includes your pets!

Your furry family member may need time to adjust to a change in schedule. Separation anxiety can occur for pets when they are used to having you around all the time. Keep reading for signs to watch for, and how to help prevent separation anxiety. 

Symptoms of separation anxiety  

Some symptoms include any of the following when left alone:  

• Urinating and defecating  

• Barking and howling  

• Chewing, digging and destruction of the house 

• Escaping from their enclosure  

• Pacing in a fixed pattern  

• Coprophagia, when the dog defecates and consumes all or some of their excrement 

If these actions are a result of separation anxiety, they typically are not performed in front of the guardian.  

Tips to help prevent separation anxiety   

• Keep a schedule to fulfil your dog’s physical and social needs through daily activities such as play, positive reinforcement training, leashed walks, and environmental enrichment.   

• Teach your dog to be comfortable being left alone or separated from you by implementing a doggy gate or a door.   

• If you spend most of your day at home with your dog, make sure to give them some space, as receiving constant attention can make it harder for them when you leave.   

• Plan alone time for your dog each day while you pick up groceries, take a short drive, or take a shower.  

• Offer your dog a food puzzle toy when you are leaving to give them something fun to do.   

• Play calming music, such as classical or species-specific music at times throughout the day and when you leave home.  

• Reward your dog for any calm behaviour.  

• Make your arrivals and departures calm. Avoid high emotional responses when you leave the house or when you first arrive home.  

To learn tips on overcoming this anxiety with your pet, read our blog: How to Help a Pet with Separation Anxiety.  

For more information on the condition, read: Anxiety, pets, and mental health.  

If this information was helpful, please help us continue to educate about pet health and well-being by making a donation.