TIPS TO HELP Pets WITH Separation Anxiety

After more than a year of quarantining and bonding with their pet parents during the pandemic, many pets are now experiencing separation anxiety as Americans spend less time at home. Whether pet parents are planning to return to the office or go on a summer vacation, Crista Coppola, Ph.D., PetSmart’s consulting Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB), says that identifying and managing separation anxiety in pets can go a long way to easing the transition back to regular activities for pets and pet parents alike.

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New pets adopted during the pandemic may be more susceptible to separation anxiety, but any pet can experience it. All pet parents should be on the lookout for symptoms and be prepared to help pets address them.

“It’s crucial for pet parents to understand their dog is struggling, and their behaviors are coping mechanisms they can’t necessarily control,” Coppola said. “The first step to understanding your pet is to observe their behavior and determine whether or not separation anxiety is the cause.”

Identifying the Symptoms