Separation anxiety is a common problem in not just pets but humans as well. Find out how you can counteract this problem!
Pets are like family. We cherish the moments we share with them and so do they. While there are many cases around the world of pets suffering from separation anxiety, it is also possible for us humans to have similar anxiety issues when away from our beloved pets.
Understanding these anxiety issues and learning how to cope with them is another part of providing a healthy and fulfilling life for both us and our pets.
Article Summary
What Is Pet Separation Anxiety In Pet Parents?
Pet separation anxiety ranges from a reluctance to leave our dogs & cats for even a few minutes to a complete inability to travel. This issue is much more common than we think.
According to a survey conducted by CertaPet, 47% of dog parents in the United States experience some form of anxiety when away from their furry friend.
Faith Maloney, co-founder of Best Friends Animal Society has helped many pet parents deal with their anxieties when it comes to leaving their pets at home.
She states that one of the biggest reasons why pet parents develop an anxiety disorder for leaving their pets is largely due to one traumatic experience in their life, such as their dogs getting sick or the dog sitter forgetting to show up. Experiences like these lead up to pet parents thinking, “I can’t ever leave again.”
What Are The Signs & Symptoms of Pet Separation Anxiety In Pet Parents?
Although a pet’s separation anxiety can be easily seen with destructive behavior, barking or howling, and excessive whining, pet separation anxiety in humans can be a lot more subtle and hard to detect. Here are some examples of the most common symptoms seen in pet separation anxiety in humans.
Irrational fear of extraordinary circumstances. Some pet parents struggling with separation anxiety tend to start thinking about the worst outcome. Improbable events that are unlikely to occur. Some examples could be the thought of your pet being kidnapped and stolen from their homes, or even the thought of their pets injuring themselves, some way, somehow.
Difficulty in maintaining focus in your daily tasks when away from your pet. This could be at the office or even just a quick run to the store, which results in poor performance or disciplinary action.
Regularly finding excuses to stay at home. Some pet parents experiencing separation anxiety from their pets may take a day off from work, some might even take a couple of days off just to stay at home with their pets.
Avoiding social gatherings with friends or family. Pet parents suffering from separation anxiety may start to neglect their social life. They may be more reluctant to go outside for a drink with their friends or might insist on bringing their pets to these social gatherings even when it's not appropriate.
Being obsessed with the idea of having to leave your pet at home. Pet parents may put off errands or might use excuses to delay having to leave the house, even if it's just for a few minutes.
Unexplained headaches or anxiety attacks. In more severe cases, some pet parents may experience excessive anxiety or stress, nausea, diarrhea, and even high blood pressure when away from their pets.
Pet parents or anyone who goes through these experiences should seek advice from a licensed therapist to ensure what the root of their anxiety is. Doing so will lead to a healthier and stress-free life.
How To Deal With Pet Separation Anxiety In Pet Parents?
One thing that pet parents suffering from pet separation anxiety need to understand is that you can’t change what happened to your pets but rather you can do everything possible to ensure the safety of your pets before leaving.
Understanding what you can do to keep them safe is very important as it gives you the peace of mind that nothing bad will happen to your beloved pets when absent. Here are some things you can do to relieve your anxiety when being away from your pets.
Going high-tech: In the high-tech society we live in today, there are many gadgets that we can utilize to check up on our pets even when we are outside. Some of these gadgets include dog cameras which we can connect to via our phones to instantly check and reassure ourselves that our pets are doing fine.
Provide a safe environment at home: Take all reasonable and logical precautions to ensure that all potential hazards are far away from your pet's reach. This also includes making sure all the windows and doors are fully shut and locked. If you know there is nothing that can harm them in your absence, a lot of your anxiety will vanish.
Thorough background check: Whether you are leaving your pet with a sitter, grooming salon, or even a daycare. You should always thoroughly check the background of these places through online reviews and personal visits. Understand how they operate and see if there have been any issues whatsoever with their past customers. The more at ease you feel with these services, the less anxiety you will experience.
Train yourself at home: While it is tempting to give your dogs & cats a cuddle every 5 minutes, try establishing some boundaries when at home. Understand that it is fine if your pet is not with you in the same room at all times. As you become better accustomed to shorter periods of separation, you’ll find it easier to be less anxious when away from your pets for longer durations.
Treating your pet’s separation anxiety: If your pets show signs of separation anxiety, knowing how to calm them down is a great way to calm your anxieties as well. If you know your pets are anxiety-free, it will surely help keep you anxiety-free as well!
Crystal Healing To Help With Pet Separation Anxiety In Humans
Pet parents should also consider using healing crystals to counteract the effects of pet separation anxiety. Two great healing crystals to consider are the Chevron Amethyst and the Black Obsidian.
The Chevron Amethyst is known to stabilize emotional levels in dogs & cats but they work just as perfectly for humans as well. Black Obsidian also does a great job of bringing a sense of serenity and tranquility and should be put around the house to utilize its healing properties.
Keep in mind that feeling anxious when separated from your pets is completely normal. They are family after all. So don’t put yourself down for caring for your beloved family member, sometimes anxiety can help us ensure safety and avoid any sort of risks out there!
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