We all have experienced many significant changes in our lives and so have the furry members of our family. Like people, pets are accustomed to and rely on a routine, but 2020 has been anything but routine.
In many parts of the country, families continue to struggle with the dramatic changes cast upon us by COVID-19. Segments of the country remain under the threat of increasing infection rates and continued restrictions and others are seemingly less affected and are slowly re-opening. Even if our state has lifted some of the initial restrictions, there are members of our community that remain in virtual lockdown due to underlying health concerns and the increased risk posed by COVID. Hopefully, with continued vigilance and a clear understanding of the recommendations of our public health officials, we can gradually adopt a more normal, pre-pandemic routine. We may be ready, but are our pets?
Our pets have become accustomed to the family being at home in the weeks since the pandemic gripped the nation. However, as the restrictions are lifted, and we gradually adopt a more normal routine, many of our pets may experience feelings of anxiety. Animals that never experienced separation anxiety in the past could suddenly be faced with the perception of desertion. It may sound unusual, but separation anxiety is a real clinical issue and can be disabling for those affected. Left unaddressed or untreated, anxiety can have a detrimental effect on the human-animal bond.
No one really knows what causes separation anxiety and we can’t, with any accuracy, determine which pets will develop it. We are, however, knowledgeable of factors which predispose patients of any age to this condition.
Puppies may not necessarily be more prone to separation anxiety but having a puppy does present a unique opportunity to mitigate and prevent separation anxieties from developing. For example, there are steps we can pursue to ensure a new puppy does not grow fearful of their new crate and make sure they don’t grow afraid or frightened when left alone. Puppies are most easily affected by experiences, good or bad, when they are young and impressionable. Taking appropriate steps while puppies are young can positively influence their welfare for their entire life. That’s huge. If you have a new puppy in your life, spend time educating yourself about this critical time in your puppy’s life. Asking for guidance from your veterinarian and trusted training professional on how best to manage this important time will pay many dividends as your dog ages.
In general, it seems a good percentage of older pets have some variant of a situational or general anxiety disorder. Aging in people can be associated with a decreased ability to tolerate change, and our pets are not a lot different in this regard. Changes in routine, good or bad, can prove to be significantly distressing to an older pet. Take this into consideration when anticipating adjustments to an older pet’s routine.
Some studies have demonstrated a higher incidence of separation anxiety in pets adopted from shelter environments. Does this mean there’s a direct correlation between being adopted from a shelter and development of separation anxiety? Or does this mean dogs with separation anxiety have been surrendered to shelter organizations at an increased rate? Some dogs with severe anxiety will escape from their normal home environment and subsequently picked up by animal control. We’re honestly not sure of the dynamics. Some of these pets have been subject to disruptive and disturbing experiences, for sure. Everyone is wanting a smooth transition into a home environment for a newly adopted pet. Be sure you engage your veterinarian if you need advice on transitioning a new pet into a new home. The effort may prevent behavioral issues, like separation anxiety, from developing.
If your family anticipates a situation or changes in routine which may precipitate feelings of anxiety, it is important to prepare your pet(s) by following a few recommendations.
Begin leaving your pet alone for brief periods of time and gradually increase the length of time they are left by themselves.
When left alone, for any period of time, offer a special treat. The longer the planned absence, the longer lasting the treat should be. I prefer stuffed and Frozen Kong toys. Other food toys or puzzles are also acceptable.
Pheromones have been proven to be calming. Pheromones are available at most pet stores as plug-in diffusers and are also available as a collar to be worn by the animal.
Make slow adjustments to your schedule. For example, the pandemic-era walk may be an hour each morning. As one returns to work, perhaps there isn’t an extra hour in the schedule for a one-hour walk each morning. As such, gradually begin decreasing the duration of the morning walks so your dog can adjust.
If you have a geriatric pet, make sure your dog has had a recent examination with diagnostic testing. This will ensure all your dog’s medical issues are well managed. Anxiety and pain can be difficult for owners to differentiate. Pain can cause anxiety, thus the importance of determining if a stressed pet is experiencing pain or discomfort.
Video recording a pet alone in the house may help discern if a particular pet is experiencing separation anxiety. By doing this, you can usually determine whether or not a pet is doing well or is stressed in your absence. Panting, pacing, salivating or vocalizing can be seen in pets with separation anxiety. Mildly affected patients can be treated successfully with over-the-counter calming nutraceuticals or supplements. Most calming supplements contain either alpha-casozepine or L-theanine. More severely affected animals may be best treated with medications. If you think your pet’s condition warrants administration of a medication, contact your veterinarian for an appointment to discuss. I am frequently asked, “What is the best medication to treat ‘XYZ anxiety’?” I really wish the answer was as easy as it seems. The fact is, the drug or nutraceutical that works for one dog’s anxiety is not necessarily the one that will work in a different individual. Effective doses for any dog will vary similarly.
If medications are prescribed, use the time while you are at home and the pet is supervised to “test drive” the medication. This will allow an owner an opportunity to see firsthand the effect the medication has on the pet and determine if the dose prescribed is sufficient for a desired calming effect. This will also allow an owner the opportunity to confirm there is no unusual reaction to the drug. Set up a smartphone to record a medicated pet’s behavior when you leave the house. This can be very helpful and be sure to discuss the findings with your veterinarian so that your pet’s therapy is optimized.
Pet owners frequently miss the signs of anxiety in their pets. Anxiety can be crippling and have dramatic effects on the health and welfare of our pets. Not every pet experiences, or will develop, separation anxiety when an owner’s schedule changes, but those that do deserve help and assistance. We don’t fully understand how to prevent separation anxiety, but we do have many options to assist in managing affected patients.
Dr. Scotty Gibbs is the primary veterinarian and owner at Hilltop Animal Hospital in Fuquay-Varina.
