September Issue 107
www.thenewsyneighbour.com
This is an exciting time of year! For so
many families, September represents the start of a new year; a new school year,
that is. It can be easy to forget about the furry family members in all the
hype and excitement. As the routine changes into one of summer mode, it will
now transition back to early mornings and busy schedules that include hockey
practice, dance classes and music lessons. Some pets can find this change very
startling, and for some it can cause anxiety.
Separation anxiety can occur when a dog or
cat exhibits stress and behavioural problems due to being separated from
his/her humans. Dogs will show this through barking, destructive chewing,
attempts to escape, accidents in the house, panting, pacing, and/or howling. If
you notice any of these behaviours in your pup, it can be managed by teaching
him to cope with the changes. Desensitization and counter-conditioning
techniques are excellent tools in helping resolve your dog’s “triggers” to
anxious behaviour. A training plan either through a certified dog trainer, or
educational articles found at your veterinary clinic can encourage a successful
resolution to your pet’s anxiety. These techniques often start with a focus on
the trigger, for example, grabbing your car keys and putting on a jacket to
leave. The idea is to not actually leave the house, but instead go through the
routine without even acknowledging your dog, then put it all away and return to
normal house activities. Repeat this multiple times throughout the day. Eventually,
he will realize that this is no longer associated with you leaving the house. Include
the kids in this activity to make it as real as possible, and remember- it
takes work and repetition to start to see changes. Once this step has been
mastered, you would then move on to the next part of the program (either
offered by your trainer, or ask for resources available at your vet clinic). Keep
in mind that anxiety can be elevated by inadequate exercise and mental
stimulation. Try to incorporate a dog walker or introduce your pup to a doggy
daycare. This helps to break up the day and exerts pent-up energy, leaving your
dog socialized, tired and HAPPY!
Cats are different than dogs when it comes
to anxious behaviour, and will often show signs of stress through unique behaviours,
such as accidents outside of the litter box, diarrhea, excessive grooming,
increased vocalization, aloofness, decreased appetite, and/or aggression to
other animals or people. Cats will often show a stress response similar to how
they show symptoms of illness, so it’s always best to have them examined by
your veterinarian first to ensure they are healthy. Your veterinary team will
have handy tools and articles that can help improve your cat’s anxiety, mental
stimulation, and also improve his environmental enrichment. A great resource
for cats that exhibit anxiety, or to help combat feline life stressors visit:
https://indoorpet.osu.edu/cats
Separation anxiety doesn’t have to make the
whole family anxious! Don’t hesitate to contact your veterinary professional if
you have any questions or concerns – we are always here to help!
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