Dogs and cats are creatures of habit. They like to know when they will get fed, when they will sleep and, most importantly of all, when they get to spend time with their favorite person in the world—you.
So how do they cope with suddenly being home alone, like when children return to school and their parents to work, especially after months of receiving attention to their heart’s content? What do they fill their days with once everyone is gone?
The more stoic or content pets will easily settle into a routine of relaxed play, lots of snoozing and maybe just a little more time spent by the window, waiting for your return.
However, many pets may feel some degree of distress at your leaving and vent their anxiety with unwanted behaviors, such as:
More severely affected pets may develop serious separation anxiety, resulting in significant household damage (e.g., chewing up drywall, pulling up floorboards, etc.) and/or dangerous escape attempts, both of which can lead to injury to the pet, such as torn up nails and fractured teeth.
Whether your pet appears content or is showing signs of anxiety, there are a few simple measures you can take to make them more comfortable with the change. Check out our tips to prepare your pet to be home alone.
More severely affected pets should visit the veterinarian to help decide the best course of action. Your veterinarian can recommend specific training techniques for your pet, as well as calming supplements or medications as needed.
