How To Ease Your Pet’s Separation Anxiety While You Are Away

If you are a pet owner, you know how hard it can be to leave your pet to go on vacation. Some pets don't mind being boarded at the vet or staying with friends or family, but others go absolutely bizzerk when they are parted from their owner. Your pet is like your child, and you don't want them to act out or mope around while you are away. How can you ease your pet's anxiety when you are away? I think I have a couple solutions.

Have you ever heard of 'separation anxiety'? Dogs who experience separation anxiety from their owners tend to scratch at doors or windows, chew anything in sight, howling and/or whining, and going number 1 and/or 2 in the house. My roommate's dog suffers from separation anxiety and it is absolutely frustrating at times. Here's a tip:  if your dog has major separation anxiety, roll up your blinds half way or they will be destroyed by the time you get home.

So how can we ease our pet's anxiety while we are away on vacation? First of all, make sure you leave your pet with people who truly care about the well-being of your pet. Make sure the person has time to play with your pet and show them an adequate amount of attention. Second, creating a certain command or routine which lets your pet know you will be back will help ease the anxiety. Overtime your pet will get use to hearing those few words. Third, give your pet its special toys or a t-shirt with your scent on it while you are away. Lastly, have your pet socialize with other pets. Make sure they get along first, but having your pet around other fun, loving pets will help them not stress about you so much.