Dogs are social animals that can suffer separation anxiety when they are left alone for long periods of time. It is important to address separation anxiety in dogs early and effectively so it does not develop into a more serious condition. This blog post will give you some great tips on how to help your pup with separation anxiety.
– Talk to your vet about separation anxiety. Your veterinarian can prescribe an antidepressant medication which may help with separation anxiety if the dog has been diagnosed as suffering from separation anxiety disorder and is not responding well to non-medical treatments. This type of drug will act on serotonin neurotransmitters in the brain, regulating stress hormones and reducing panic attacks that dogs will experience during separation.
– Find an alternative to leaving your dog home alone for long periods of time, like hiring a pet sitter or taking the pup with you when you go on vacation and even just going out in the yard while you make dinner if separation anxiety is only mild. This helps alleviate any loneliness they may be feeling and gives them some separation from you, but not a complete abandonment.
– Walking your dog before and after separation will help in the reduction of separation anxiety. The walk helps to tire them out and gives them exercise while also distracting their mind with a new environment.
– Giving your pup an additional toy or chewie when leaving can also be helpful for separation anxiety. When you leave, give them a new toy or chewie to occupy their mind and keep separation anxiety at bay.
– Exercise separation anxiety by giving your dog puzzles that need solving when they are alone for extended periods of time. This will work the brain cells in order to make sure separation anxiety doesn’t set in as much while also giving them some long-lasting entertainment.
