Separation anxiety in dogs

Separation anxiety in dogs is a common disorder that occurs when a dog feels extremely distressed when left alone or away from its owner. We explain everything you can do to help.

Symptoms of separation anxiety in dogs

The symptoms of anxiety in dogs can vary, but generally include:

1. Excessive barking or crying: Your dog may cry, bark or whine when you leave.
2. Destruction of objects: Chewing furniture, doors or any object near the area where the dog is left alone.
3. Toileting indoors: A dog with separation anxiety may urinate or defecate inside the house, even if it has been trained to do so outside.
4. Escape attempts: Some dogs may try to escape from their space when they feel distressed, which can lead to injury if they are not supervised.
5. Repetitive behaviours: Such as pacing, tail biting or excessive licking.

Causes of stress in dogs

• Changes in routine: Moving house, changes in schedule or the adoption of a new dog.
• Lack of socialisation: Some dogs that are not used to being alone may develop anxiety.
• Traumatic experiences: Such as being abandoned, mistreated or having had a negative experience related to separation.

My dog has separation anxiety. How can I help?

Here are some tips you can use to help your dog:

1. Systematic desensitisation: Gradually try to get your dog used to being alone. Start with short periods and increase the duration little by little.
2. Consistent routine: Keep a steady daily routine so your dog feels secure and knows what to expect at each moment.
3. Interactive toys: Use toys that keep their mind occupied while you are not at home.
4. Avoid dramatic goodbyes or arrivals: Keep departures and returns calm so you do not reinforce anxious behaviour.
5. Positive reinforcement: Reward your dog when it stays calm and relaxed during your absences. Among all snacks, we recommend those from the Togo brand because of their composition based on natural ingredients, as you can see in the Togo chicken snacks.

Treatment for separation anxiety in dogs

In addition to all these tips, there are supplements to help relieve separation distress in dogs. These are non-medicinal solutions that will help you through the process. We recommend the following:

Acalma Spray

Acalmaoffers a specific spray-format product to help in situations of anxiety, such as separation stress in dogs. It is formulated to support dogs in adapting to potentially stressful situations, helping to manage unwanted behaviours associated with these episodes.

You will find it available in two different formats, depending on the size of the animal: Acalma Spray for small dogs and Calming spray for medium and large dogs.

Thundershirt

The Thundershirt brand is mainly known for its calming vest designed to help dogs with separation anxiety or other stressful situations. TheThundershirt vest is a therapy product that applies gentle, constant pressure to the dog's torso, activating internal mechanisms that promote relaxation. Recommended by veterinarians and dog trainers around the world, it has been shown to be effective in more than 80% of cases of separation anxiety, loud noises, travel, visits to the vet and generalised stress situations.

If separation anxiety in dogs is very severe, seeking help from an animal behaviour professional can be key to an effective treatment plan. In severe cases, your vet may recommend behavioural therapy or medication. But first, we recommend trying all these ideas so your furry friend can learn to be alone.