Helping Your Dog Overcome Separation Anxiety

After a year of staying home, our dogs have gotten pretty used to us being around 24/7. Now that we’re starting to leave the house more often, our furry friends may start to show signs of separation anxiety and stress.

When you come home, has your housebroken dog started having accidents inside? Or do they cry for hours when you leave? These can both be signs of separation anxiety in dogs, which is more common than you think. 20% – 40% of dogs experience it, but thankfully there are plenty of ways to support your pup’s well-being when you start to get back to your normal routine.

Signs to Watch For

We all know that our pets have a favorite human. You know, the one that they follow from room to room? When a dog is too dependent on a person, their anxiety can kick in when they leave. It’s similar to a panic attack in humans. While every dog will show distress differently, here are some common signs:

• Incessant crying, whining, barking, howling

• Pacing, acting restless

• Panting and drooling

• Scratching or digging at doors and windows

• Trying to escape

• Destructive behavior

• Vomiting, peeing or pooping in the house

• Chewing or eating at walls, doors, cabinets

• Becoming distressed when you prepare to leave

• Not eating

This is by no means a complete list, however, if you start to notice some of these signs beginning to develop in your fur baby, it may be a good idea to get them checked out by the vet.

Tips for Calming Your Anxious Dog

If the problem is mild, there are a few things you can do to help ease the stress of leaving the house.

1. Before you leave, take your pup for a walk. They’ll get some energy out and be ready to rest as you walk out the door.

2. Make your comings and goings low-key. Try not to make it a big deal when you come home and say goodbye long before you leave. This way, you’re communicating that leaving is no big deal.

3. Keep them entertained with a chew stick or plenty of toys to play with. They’ll barely know you’re gone!

4. Leave the TV on. Some dogs respond well to animal-friendly TV. DogTV is a channel that has plenty of shows that are shown to calm them down and reduce anxiety.

5. Try crate alternatives. If your dog is experiencing stress from being put in a crate, try using a baby gate in a spare room with toys to keep them busy.

Natural calming supplements, like CBD, are also beneficial! Research has found that CBD helps manage anxiety by changing the brain’s receptor response to serotonin. Though it comes from cannabis, CBD products contain almost no THC, the psychoactive compound that produces the “high” effect in marijuana. Providing your dog with CBD supplements will give them the benefit of relaxation without any intoxication.

Our Paws a Moment Broad Spectrum CBD oil may help dogs (and cats!) battling separation anxiety, as well as manage pain and inflammation. Compounds found in CBD may interact with endocannabinoid receptors in animals to produce calming effects and lower their anxiety. Plus, the oil format allows for flexible serving sizes depending on the size of your pet. Slow Your Wag CBD dog treats are veterinarian formulated to provide comfort and relaxation to dogs. With a delicious beef flavor, it’s the perfect treat to give them before you leave for work in the morning!  See Spot Chill dog treats are veterinarian-formulated to give you peace of mind. They’re filler-free and made with yummy ingredients with a peanut butter flavor that your pup will love.

When helping our furry friends battle separation anxiety, it’s important to understand the signs and know exactly what’s triggering your dog to stress out. Putting your dog on a CBD ritual (just like yours!) may be the key to helping your buddy relax and be ok when you head into the office again.