How to Treat Separation Anxiety in Dogs

Do you find yourself always cleaning up messes after being away, and constantly replacing chewed up furniture and shoes? It can be frustrating to manage an anxious dog.

Separation anxiety is a common problem for many dogs. The good news is, there are plenty of ways pet parents can help keep their dog calm.

In this article, we'll cover how to treat separation anxiety in dogs. Plus:

• What is pet separation anxiety
• 5 causes of separation anxiety
• Symptoms of separation anxiety
• Frequently asked questions about separation anxiety

What is pet separation anxiety#

Separation anxiety is a serious health condition that can turn your otherwise happy dog into a fur ball of stress. Separation anxiety occurs when a dog is left alone, especially for long periods of time.

We can't know for sure what's going on in a dog's mind, but dogs with separation anxiety experience symptoms similar to panic attacks in humans.

5 causes of separation anxiety#

There are many reasons your dog may develop separation anxiety. Here are some common reasons why many dogs tend to struggle when left alone.

Departure cues

A dog with separation anxiety may anticipate being left alone and the negative feelings that come with it through departure cues. These are small actions dogs detect like:

• Putting on shoes
• Picking up your keys
• Walking to the inside door
• Putting on a jacket
• Packing bags

Dogs notice patterns, so if a certain action — like putting on shoes — always happens before you leave the house, it can make them anxious. As your dog continues to notice this pattern, they might think that seeing you put on shoes means you are about to leave — even if you don't actually go anywhere.

Sudden changes

Unexpected, sudden changes in your dog's environment may trigger some anxiety. Some sudden changes that may make your pup anxious include:

• Sudden absence from their owner
• Loss of a family member or pet
• Moving to a new home
• New pets or people in your home

Stressful environments

Vet visits, the groomer, and dog parks are some common environments that can trigger anxiety in dogs. Frequent exposure to stressful environments may trigger anxiety symptoms when your dog is left alone.

Lack of enrichment#

Separation anxiety can be a sign that your dog has too much energy and not enough ways to channel it. Incorporating enrichment to your dog's daily routine can help reduce separation anxiety symptoms.

Traumatic events

Sometimes, a traumatic event can cause separation anxiety. Some examples of a traumatic event for dogs include:

• Injury
• Accidents
• Natural disasters
• Abuse
• Neglect

Symptoms of separation anxiety

Many dogs suffering from separation anxiety have similar symptoms. Here are some common signs of separation anxiety.

Destructive behaviors

If you keep your dog in a crate while you're away, they may have distress behaviors while trying to escape confinement. These behavioral issues can include:

• Chewing furniture
• Scratching
• Urinating
• Aggression toward other animals

Even if your dog is house trained, they might have a behavior problem when left alone. Dogs with separation anxiety are overcome with extreme stress, meaning they may not behave the same way they would when their parent is around.

Anxious behaviors

When a dog has extreme stress, their symptoms can be similar to a panic attack a human experiences. Some common behaviors in dogs experiencing separation anxiety include:

• Excessive barking, howling, and whining
• Excessive salivation
• Shaking or shivering
• Panting

Many signs of separation anxiety can come from other medical problems. For example, problems like house soiling while you're away may happen because your dog is not completely house trained or has a urinary tract infection.

How to treat separation anxiety in dogs

There are plenty of treatment options for dogs suffering from separation anxiety — and finding a solution isn't simple for every dog. Here are some common methods for treating separation anxiety and calming your dog down.

Anti-anxiety medication

Dogs with separation anxiety often benefit from prescription medications. Some common dog separation anti-anxiety medications include:

• Alprazolam
• Buspirone
• Lorazepam
• Trazodone

On rare occasions, anti-anxiety pills alone can help a dog with separation anxiety. If your dog's behavior continues, you may need to combine medication with other treatments to relieve severe separation anxiety symptoms.

Calming products

Calming products are a more natural method for treating puppy separation anxiety. Some common types of calming products pet parents use include:

Calming treats

Calming treats are made with calming ingredients to soothe your dog's nerves. They serve as a special treat to help level your dog's emotions and behavior, especially in stressful moments.

Calming diffusers

Calming diffusers mimic pheromones in your dog's environment to make them feel happy and relaxed. PetFriendly offers a calming collection for dogs and cats called Mellow. Mellow uses patented passive evaporation technology to reduce anxiety and aggression caused by separation anxiety.

Calming sprays

Calming sprays also mimic pheromones and reduce symptoms of separation anxiety. Pet parents can use calming sprays anywhere in their pet’s environment and on-the-go for travel.

Behavior modification training

In some cases, treating separation anxiety with specific training can help. Behavior modification training involves training your dog's brain to associate positive things with events that would trigger your dog's anxiety.

At home, this looks like gradually increasing training sessions. In these sessions, your dog learns that whatever triggers fear in them actually predicts good things like rewards.

Pet parents can also try hiring a veterinary behaviorist or certified professional dog trainer to neutralize anxiety triggers.

Crate training

Crate training can be helpful for dogs with separation anxiety. But, it is not a cure and should be used in addition to other remedies.

Crate training teaches your dog that their crate is a safe space to spend time in. It also teaches your dog independence, which in turn, could reduce separation anxiety symptoms.

Doggy daycare

Rather than leaving your pet alone all day, consider enrolling your dog in doggy daycare. Not only does daycare help your dog socialize, it also gives your dog enrichment and exercise.

If your dog prefers to be alone over spending time with other dogs, hire a family member, dog sitter, or dog walker to spend time with your dog throughout the day.

Enrichment

For cognitive enrichment, try using puzzle toys stuffed with treats. Puzzle toys are great for mental stimulation and can give your dog an activity to focus on when they are left alone.

Physical contact, longer periods of exercise, and trick training are also great enrichment options for most dogs. Slowly increase your dog's enrichment levels every day to see improvements in their anxiety levels.

Frequently asked questions about separation anxiety

Want to learn more about dog separation anxiety? Read these commonly asked questions from dog parents.

How do I help my dog with separation anxiety?

Before trying remedies to relieve your dog's anxiety symptoms, it's important to consider how severe they are.

If your dog's separation anxiety is mild:

• Give your dog a treat when you leave
• Make your departure and arrival as nonchalant as possible
• Play relaxing music or let them watch TV while you're away
• Consider trying over-the-counter calming products like diffusers and sprays

If your dog's separation anxiety is severe:

• Use anti-anxiety medication
• Try behavior modification training
• Hire a pet sitter or dog walker
• Enroll your dog in daycare

Can severe separation anxiety in dogs be cured?

Unfortunately, there is no real cure to separation anxiety. But, the good news is separation anxiety is treatable and, in some cases, preventable.

Do dogs grow out of separation anxiety?

Dogs do not grow out of separation anxiety. And, if left untreated, the symptoms will likely get worse. That's why finding a treatment plan that works for your dog is important.

Should you crate dogs with separation anxiety?

If your dog struggles with severe anxiety symptoms, crating will not fix them. It's possible for your dog to hurt themselves while trying to escape confinement in their crate. Instead, work with a dog trainer or enroll your pup in daycare while you are away.

What is the best treatment for dog separation anxiety?

The best treatment for separation anxiety depends on your dog's anxiety symptoms and levels. But, the most common treatments for dog separation anxiety include:

• Anti-anxiety medication
• Calming products like diffusers and sprays
• Behavior modification training
• Crate training
• Enrolling in doggy daycare
• Hiring a pet sitter or dog walker

Does letting your dog sleep with you cause separation anxiety?

Many pet parents worry that letting dogs sleep in their bed will make them think they're in charge, or that it might cause separation anxiety. The truth is, it has not been proven if letting your dog sleep in your bed causes separation anxiety.

It's normal as a pet parent to feel anxious about being away from your best friend. Stay positive and keep an open mind when finding a solution to your dog's separation anxiety. And, talk to your veterinarian for advice and guidance to curate an anxiety-fighting plan.