Separation anxiety a worry for pet parents

Rachana Ramesh | NT
Bengaluru:

With the pandemic restrictions lifted and almost every industry back on its feet, pet parents have had to leave their babies home alone. But pets are finding it difficult to cope with the situation and the number of ‘separation anxiety’ cases is increasing by the day.

Separation anxiety is a common canine affliction which causes severe distress when a dog is separated from their owner or is left alone. It is a problem that causes both the guardian and the dog a varying number of issues since it manifests as distressing behaviours, can be difficult to treat and can provoke stress and guilt on the part of the owner.

Rekita has just started attending her pre-university classes at Mount Carmel College, leaving her dog Honey at home. While her parents and sibling resumed work a while ago, she would attend online classes and stay at home with her eight-year labrador retriever.

“Honey has not been eating properly since I started attending college. She eats only when somebody feeds her by hand and gets overly excited on walks. She also digs the floor until somebody turns to her for attention,” she said.

Renkita eventually took Honey to a veterinarian, who told her that the behavioural change was due to separation anxiety.

Abhinav Bhargav, a final year engineering student, has to go to college instead of attending online classes, leaving his one and half-year-old labrador retriever Leo at home. “He would severely pant, bark and chew on all the furniture before I get back home,” he said.

Dr Praveen, who runs a pet clinic in Basaveshwaranagar, says exercise and long walks are effective in dealing with anxiety. “Tons of exercise will help. Long walks will generate serotonin that will have a calming effect. It will allow them to relax,” he said.

SYMPTOMS:

Barking and howling
Chewing, digging and destruction
Escaping
Pacing
Anorexia
Restlessness and excessive salivation