Managing Separation Anxiety

If you have a close bond with your pet, he may develop separation anxiety while you are away. The good news is there are ways to manage this condition. At TLC for Pets, in Reisterstown, MD, we take a compassionate approach to veterinary care.

Symptoms of Separation Anxiety

If your pet has separation anxiety, he will get upset or distressed when you leave. Some pets are fine if you are nearby, while others will follow you from room to room.

Unfortunately, separation anxiety is often mistaken for disobedience. It's common for them to urinate or defecate in the house if they have separation anxiety, even if they are house-trained. Dogs may bark or howl excessively. Cats may meow, cry, or moan.

Some pets will chew anything they can find, including your favorite shoes. Others may dig or find a way to escape their confines. They may also be very excited when you come home.

Your pets may also groom themselves excessively which may cause these pets to have patches of hair loss due to excessive grooming.

Causes of Separation Anxiety

There are several factors that can make a pet more prone to separation anxiety. If he is adopted from a shelter, he has suffered a significant change in their life and this may make him fear losing you as well. Pets that come from abusive owners are also more likely to develop this issue.

Treating Separation Anxiety

A good first step in treating separation anxiety is ruling out any medical issues. The good news is that you can bring him in for a visit with a vet on our team to help rule out an illness as the cause of his behavior.

However, you'll also need to rule out other behavioral causes. Excitement, urination, boredom, and incomplete house training are a few issues that can look similar to separation anxiety.

Get Veterinary Care and Pet Boarding form a Veterinarian Near You

If you are searching for a veterinarian in Reisterstown, MD, contact us at TLC for Pets. We can help your pet with separation anxiety. We also offer routine veterinary care, pet boarding, illness care, and surgery. Call us at (410) 833-1717 for veterinary care and pet boarding from a veterinarian near you.