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How to Prevent Separation Anxiety in Your Pet When You Return to Work

August 3, 2020 by Mary Telesz

Owner and pet in quarantine doing yoga You and your pet have probably spent a lot of time together during the COVID-19 quarantine. After spending so much quality time with you during quarantine, your pet may have become even more bonded with and very dependent on you for its safety and security. Once your pet has become used to a routine that includes being around you for long periods of time, your pet may be insecure when you go back to your pre-quarantine routine. There is a possibility that pet separation anxiety may arise. Knowing how to properly approach it can help you to easing back into a regular routine.

When it’s time for you to go back to work for several hours a day, your pet may show signs of separation anxiety, even if your pet has no history of it before the quarantine. The following is an overview of separation anxiety in pets and how to deal with the transition back to regular work practices.

What is Pet Separation Anxiety?

Pet separation anxiety involves fear or anxiety around being left alone, and it can happen in both dogs and cats. This stress usually results from a pet being very attached to its owner.

Separation Anxiety For Dogs

In dogs, classic signs include one or more of the following behaviors:

  • Excessive drooling, pacing or panting when your dog sees you getting ready to leave.
  • Excessive howling, barking, or whining when you leave.
  • “Accidents” indoors when you are gone, even though the pet is housebroken.
  • Destructive behavior, such as tearing up or chewing furniture or walls, digging holes or clawing at windows and doors.
  • Escape attempts.

Separation Anxiety For Cats

Cats may engage in one or more of the following behaviors:

  • Goes into hiding when it sees you getting ready to leave.
  • Excessive meowing or yowling.
  • Extremely clingy.
  • “Accidents” outside the litter box.

A pet with separation anxiety will engage in these behaviors every time it is left alone. Note, however, that some of these symptoms could also indicate that your pet has a medical condition and you may want to have your pet examined by your vet.

How To Mitigate Or Prevent Separation Anxiety When Returning To Work

You can help your pet’s separation anxiety by taking a few steps to prepare it for a return to the pre-quarantine schedule. By slowly adjusting your pet’s routine, you can help it reduce its anxiety over time so that it is much calmer when you do have to return to work.

Develop A Routine

Dog with pet separation anxiety holding owner backYour pet derives a lot of security from a daily routine where your pet does the same things at about the same time every day. A routine is comforting to your pet because your pet knows what it is supposed to be doing. Whether it’s waking up, feeding, walking, napping, playing or going to bed – try to stick to a schedule for each of these activities to make your dog feel safe and comfortable.

Ideally, the schedule will resemble the schedule your pet will have when you go back to work. After only a few days, your pet will start to settle into its routine. When the day comes that you have to go back to work, your pet will feel less stressed.

Give Your Pet A Special Treat Each Time You Leave

Reduce your pet’s anxiety when you leave with a very special, irresistible treat. Whatever you use as the treat, it must be something that you only give when you leave. Your pet will quickly associate your departure with something wonderful happening.

An example of a super special treat for a dog may be a heavy duty rubber chew toy stuffed with peanut butter, banana, or cheese and some small pieces of meat. It’s a good idea to make several of these and keep them on hand in the freezer. Freezing them before giving them to your pet will prevent a big mess and will slow your pet’s ability to consume it. A special treat for a cat might be a catnip toy.

Give Your Pet Some Alone Time

Begin leaving your pet alone in another room or a crate for short periods of time — maybe an hour or so — each day at the same time. Act calm and casual, and don’t make a big fuss over the pet. As you leave, give your pet its special treat, but do not give your pet any attention. Once your pet adjusts to being alone, begin leaving the house for that period of time (being sure to give your pet its special treat) and then returning. Gradually increase the amount of time you are gone until your pet is comfortable with you being gone for a full work day.

Owner with pet on bedIf you are using a crate, learn how to use it humanely. Never leave a pet in a crate all day. If your pet is still overly upset when it sees you are about to leave, break the process down into smaller steps. Do one or two of the things you do to get ready to leave but don’t leave. For example, put on your shoes and then sit down on the sofa. Pick up your car keys and turn on the TV. You need to do these things several times throughout the day until your pet no longer reacts. Once your pet stops reacting as much, begin going into another room and close the door. Then immediately return. Don’t let your pet follow you in. Do this many times throughout the day.

Once your pet has lost interest in what you are doing, go outside for a moment and then return. Do this over and over until you can gradually increase the amount of time you are out without your pet getting overly anxious.

Remain Calm When Returning Home

As hard as it may be to do, ignore your pet for the first few minutes after you get home. Act like leaving and returning home is no big deal, and your pet will eventually stop associating your coming and going as exciting or anxiety-inducing events.

Consider Medication In Severe Cases

In some cases, a pet’s separation anxiety may be so severe, that many methods will not work. In these extreme cases, it may be helpful to consult with your pet’s vet to see about getting a prescription anti-anxiety medication for your pet.

Contact Paw Pals For Pet Care Services

Dog walking on leashAs a responsible pet owner, you need to prepare your pet for a return to the days when you have to be gone for long periods of time. Get help from the pet care professionals at Paw Pals. They can ease your pet’s separation anxiety by providing companionship to your pet when you are gone and taking it on walks outside. Contact them for more information about how they can make the transition easier on you and your pet, and to find out what other pet care services they offer to the community.

Filed Under: Pet Anxiety

Contact Paw Pals for More Information

Paw Pals specializes in professional dog walking, dog sitting, and pet sitting services. One of our reliable, adult staff members will keep your pet safe, while providing your pet the love and care they need when you are away. Contact us to learn more!

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Paw Pals Pet Sitting, LLC
14001-C Saint Germain Drive #213
Centreville, VA 20121
(703) 345-1695

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Centreville – 20120, 20121
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Paw Pals Pet Sitting
Paw Pals Pet Sitting
4.9
Taylor Smith
Taylor Smith
21:22 03 Oct 21
I never worry when Mary and team take care of my dog!
Michæl Silva
Michæl Silva
21:38 01 Jul 22
Mary at Paw Pals Pet Sitting is the greatest! She has helped me train my pooch Chico how play nice with other dogs and for that I am extremely grateful! A+A+A+A+A+A
Kwi Kim
Kwi Kim
22:37 17 Jun 22
I hired Paw Pals based on my sister’s referral. Meet & greet was very thorough and detailed. I was surprised that my finicky cat came to check the sitter out. Subsequently, a sitter watched my cat over several separate visits, and it was clear through the visit reports that my cat loved the sitter. All the visits were completed having followed my directions & with professionalism.I would highly recommend Paw Pals to anyone who’s looking for a dependable, personable, & professional sitter.
Joseph Walter
Joseph Walter
19:55 13 Jun 22
Paw Pals provided a large number of photos of our pets along with a personalized message on how our pets were doing with every single visit. I would highly recommend using Paw Pals, we'll be continuing to use them whenever we go on vacation.
Ashley Manning
Ashley Manning
09:50 11 Jun 22
Highly recommend as pet sitters!Initially, a sitter from the company will visit the house to meet the pets and learn where everything is. Tatiana took careful notes and we got her some spare keys.While we are away, Paw Pals sends sitters to come and look after our boys. They feed them, scoop litter, bring in mail and packages, and they will even manage trash, recycling, blinds and lights so that everything is comfortable for our kitties. Each time they check in, we receive an email message with updates and pictures, which is so comforting when we are on the road.Also, if you don’t let Paw Pals know when you are home, they assume something has happened and will continue to care for your babies. If something were to happen, I know they would be okay.Five stars for Paw Pals!
Brian Wood
Brian Wood
04:08 22 May 22
We have used Paw Pals for a number of years now and would highly recommend to anyone looking for help with their pets. Great communication from owner Mary and flexibility to make adjustments in schedule as life changes over time. Have had a consistent set of walkers who have gotten to know our pup and the various walking routes around our neighborhood quite well.
Lesley Bush
Lesley Bush
13:58 18 Mar 22
We can't rave enough about Paw Pals. They took care of our 18 year old Cat and 20 year old Chinchilla while we were away and when our flight got cancelled, they were so accommodating and available last minute for an extra day. We worked with Jen to coordinate visits from Miko and Danny. I loved the pictures and updates on how our Lil geriatric guys were doing. Thanks a million, Paw Pals!! Our special pets were so well cared for.
Sebastian Barnes
Sebastian Barnes
01:06 17 Jan 22
I have used Paw Pals for several trips over the last few months, and they have been phenomenal every time! Mary is extremely kind and responsive, and she makes sure that my cat and dog have the care that they need every time I am out of town. All of the pet sitters that I've had have been incredibly sweet to my pets, and they treat them like their own! Will gladly continue using Paw Pals every time I need a sitter.
Julie Shildt
Julie Shildt
17:45 14 Nov 21
It has been a pleasure doing business with paw pals. We have used this company for several trips we have taken over the past 6 months. They have been wonderful caretakers for our 2 cats. Anytime there is ever a question they don't hesitate to give us a call and they leave the best notes and pictures in the emailed report of each visit. We are so glad have found such a great company.
Andrea Hall
Andrea Hall
22:45 03 Oct 20
I wasn't sure about hiring a new doggie walker service... after all they are our kiddos... my babies were in great hands and I felt relaxed having them in their care. Thank you for everything!
Katie McCune
Katie McCune
19:19 15 Jul 21
I honestly cannot recommend Mary and her whole crew enough! We started using Mary originally about 7 years ago to stop by occasionally when our Aussie Lana was younger. Over the next couple years Lana stayed with Mary and her family for a couple weekends when we went on vacation. When we moved to our new house in Manassas, Lana stayed with Sam, who lives in Manassas, overnight for moving day, and did great. Right before the pandemic, we adopted our second Aussie, Goose, and Mary recommended a fantastic trainer for him.We now have weekly walks for the dogs, and they love all of their walkers! Trevor, Paul, Hazel, Sofie, and probably a couple others have helped Goose get used to more people, and have helped my husband and me when our schedules are crazy.Paw Pals is our go-to for any help with our dogs, so I highly recommend them!
Alexandra Hill
Alexandra Hill
22:43 23 May 21
I was a nervous mommy to leave my cats with a sitter service for the first time. Paw Pals went above and beyond to care for my cats and ease a nervous mommy. I already made a reservation to use them again!
Cindy Welgoss
Cindy Welgoss
13:12 27 Nov 20
We have been using Paw Pals for several years, and through a variety of pets that we have loved. Mary and her team have always been *exceptional* in every way. They are professional, courteous, and truly love our fur family! Mary herself is an organized and stellar administrator of her pet care business, keeping detailed records of our pet’s needs, scheduled pet visits, payments, and balance due easy to keep track of as the pet owner. The pet caretaking team is reliable and trustworthy. When our dogs see any of their Paw Pal friends, they get SO excited to see them! Follow up comments are left via text to keep the pet owner informed of the visit and how the pets are faring. Paw Pals has allowed our family the peace of mind to leave our pets at home, for work, weekend getaways and longer times away when necessary, where they are the most comfortable and familiar. We are grateful to Mary and her team for giving us the ability to enjoy pet ownership without feeling tied down. The responsibility of having pets comes with the need to keep them safe and comfortable at all times, and Mary and her team affords us this when our family has to be away.
Dr Tammy Cashion
Dr Tammy Cashion
21:11 12 Mar 19
We have used Paw pals pet sitting on multiple occasions for our bunnies while we are away. Many pet sitters are not interested in small pets however; Mary and her team, are amazing and we trust her implicitly! We are very happy with the outstanding service we have received from her team including texts and photos of our pets when we are out of town. They always go the extra mile and we highly recommend them!
Kristin Conrad
Kristin Conrad
16:00 16 Nov 19
We are so grateful we found Mary and her team at Paw Pals. They are exceptionally responsive, amazingly organized and detail-oriented.We have such peace of mind when we travel knowing our home and pets are so well cared for. Paw Pals is the best pet sitting service we’ve used, and we’re so happy we found them.
Katie Russell
Katie Russell
15:01 17 May 20
Paw Pals is fantastic! I have had a great experience with Mary! Compassionate, professional, responsive, and prompt! Thank you!
Phillip Evans
Phillip Evans
14:38 11 Jul 20
When we adopted our new dog in January, Paw Pals agreed to walk her and give her some outside time so she wasn't in the crate all day. She loved her dog walker and you could see her excitement every time the walker showed up. We moved out of the area but would recommend Paw Pals to anyone needing someone to care for their pets.
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