DOGS 

Have you ever stopped and thought “why does my pet destroy stuff when home alone?” This might be the cost of your pet having Separation anxiety. This can be different for each dog or cat. Today I will be going through the signs, some of the health risks, and different type of preventions and medications you can have to help with the anxiety. According to “ASPCA.ORG” separation anxiety in dogs can be seen as excessive barking, whining, or howling as well as destroying stuff like furniture, pillows, or toys. Something that you should also watch out for is a thing called “Corpographia” This is the ingestion of the animal’s own feces. An article from the same website “ASPCA.ORG” states that this can cause a great  decline in the dog’s absorption of nutrients, a decrease of digestive enzymes in the intestinal track and a higher chance of intestinal parasites. 

Some of the causes of Separation Anxiety for dogs may be a change in ownership, a change in their schedule, change of housing, or a loss of a household member that either moved or had passed away. Some ways to treat this disorder is training by being away. This can be like pre-departure cues like preparing to leave as in putting on a coat, putting on shoes, putting on makeup, etc. Another step is training with graduated absence; this will help in desensitizing your dog when they are alone, which means leaving your home and your pet alone for short periods of time and gradually increasing the time that you have left.

CATS

Separation anxiety for cats can be a bit different. Though the symptoms are pretty much the same; they may vary from excessive meowing or being extremely vocal before you leave or when you come home, over grooming and having bald spots on them and being destructive when they’re alone. According to “animalsfirstvethospital.com” some of the risk factors that come into accounts can be all the way back from when they are kittens. These factors are lack of socialization, sudden change and routine, either their own or owners, lack of stimulation, or abandonment.

some simple ways to help treat your cat is leaving comfort items lying where your cat hangs out the most, like clothing you have worn regularly that has your scent, have some engagement before you leave and when you come home like playing with them, and last is sticking to routine, not leaving or coming back dramatically, no slamming doors, nothing that can peak the stress the cat is having when you are not around.

MEDICATIONS 

If none of these methods work, our clinic does carry some medications that can help with your pets anxiety. One of these medication’s is gabapentin, gabapentin is a drug that is used as an anti-seizure and pain medication, but it is also used to treat fear and anxiety. The gabapentin should be given by mouth in a form of a tablet, or it can also be compounded into liquid and given to the pets with a syringe orally, it should be given with food. If you are using gabapentin for a office visit, you should give the medication 1 to 2 hours prior to the appointment with food and try to keep the pet with the lowest stimulation possible so the antianxiety affect does not wear off as quickly. You should always get with your pets doctor before considering any medication for the pet so the doctor can give you a dosage and clear instructions with the medication.

another medication that is most commonly paired with gabapentin is called trazodone, trazodone is a antidepressant that is used to treat behavior disorders like phobias in pets like separation anxiety, noise, phobias, like fireworks or thunderstorms. It is also used for traveling and veterinary visits. According to vcahospitals.com trazodone is frequently used as a supplemental therapy and pets that do not respond to conventional therapy. Trazodone is given orally in the form of a tablet, and can be given with food. If your pet has had a history of vomiting when medication is given on an empty stomach always give medication with food. Trazodone will take effect quickly. If used for short term stress to leave, you’ll see effect in one to two hours after given, but for long-term treatment this medication can take a few weeks before full effects are observed. Always consult with your pet doctor before giving any medication to your pets to get the right treatments and the right dosage with instructions.

– Leo Alday