As pet parents, we hate seeing our pets in emotional pain — especially since we know that we aren’t leaving forever and will always return home to them. So what can we do to ease our sweet ones’ anguish? Seeking out a nearby veterinary behaviorist, as well as a trainer who only uses positive reinforcement, is a great start, according to Spano. You should also ensure that your pet has ready access to meals, treats, water, comfy bedding and a potty area (which may include a pee pad for dogs) whenever you’re gone. In addition, Spano stressed that your pet should not be confined in a crate during your absence.
Crucially, “the single most important point that pet parents must understand about separation anxiety is that it is not at all helpful or ethical to use ‘crying it out’ as a treatment plan,” emphasized Spano, adding that “many pets with separation anxiety are truly anxious for hours” while a pet parent is away.
And, if your furry loved one is consistently dealing with separation anxiety, “a combination of training and pharmaceutical help (such as antianxiety medications) may be required,” she said.
