How to Handle Separation Anxiety in Dogs

Being a dog owner means being able to tune into your pet’s needs on a regular basis. While dogs tend to be creatures of habit and thrive with a consistent routine, it isn’t uncommon for them to start exhibiting challenging behaviors for a variety of reasons.

For instance, many dogs suffer from separation anxiety. This means that when their owner leaves the house. They become incredibly anxious and unsettled. Some dogs with separation anxiety will act out by making a mess in the house. Others will simply bark and bark until their owners finally return home.

separation anxiety in dogs
photo from Jessica Sibert

In some instances, separation anxiety only kicks in when an owner is away for an extended period, such as a vacation or work trip. Others will suffer even when their owners are away for the day.

Separation anxiety can be a difficult thing to see your pet experience. However, there are certain things that you can do that can help to ease the symptoms of health anxiety in your pet.

Here are just a few of the ways in which you can help your dog to cope with their separation anxiety.

Speak With Your Vet

The first thing you should do when you discover that your dog has separation anxiety is to have a conversation with your veterinarian. Depending on how severe your dog’s anxiety is, they might need a bit of assistance in the form of anxiety medication.

That being said, it is likely that your vet will be able to help you treat your pet’s anxiety without the aid of medication. There might be some more holistic, non-medication-based treatments that your vet can recommend for you.

If you would like to get in touch with a veterinarian about your dog’s separation anxiety, you can check out a local veterinarian in Fort Myers Fl.

Play Calming Music

One thing that can really help calm your dog’s nerves when you are away is playing some calming music when you leave the house. There is a great deal of science to back up the concept of the calming effect that music can have on animals in distress.

You can put together a playlist of songs to play in your home whenever you leave the house so that you always have calming music on hand. There are also some pre-made playlists that you can download that have plenty of calm tunes to soothe your stressed-out pup.

Leave Your Scent

When you leave your house, one of the things that your dog likely misses is your scent. Having an item of clothing that you have recently worn with them when you leave can help calm them by reminding them of you.

Dogs are incredibly sensitive to things like sounds and smells. Having your scent near them when you leave can really help to relax them and make them feel more at ease with your absence. You can even opt to move the location of your clothes hamper nearer to where your dog likes to sleep in your house.

Jasper is a professional business and startup blogger that writes for a variety of leading sites. He loves content partnerships with advertisement agencies.