Pet Stress and Pet Behavior Problems

It is stressful for pets to fend for themselves while lost.   They will face less stress and harm if they can be returned to owners as soon as possible after their disappearance. A microchip containing owner identification information can be implanted under the skin of your pet by a vet.  Find out more in our article: Pet Identification >>

September can be a sad time for pets that have enjoyed the companionship of kids who were home for the summer. Is your pet sad and lonely at home now that your kids have returned to school? A regular predictable schedule for play, petting, attention, grooming and exercise and providing fun activities for pets while you’re out can all alleviate a pet’s stress from separation anxiety, loneliness and boredom.

Kids can:

• Pet, walk or play with pets before school.
• Avoid long sad good byes with pets when they leave for school.
• Provide afterschool petting, extra exercise and playtime.
• Hang out with pets while doing homework and reading.

Adults can reduce pets’ loneliness and boredom:

• Provide lots of extra exercise, a long walk and play time before or after work, or during the day if possible. A well-exercised pet will have less stress and might be grateful for quiet sleeping time after morning exercise.
• Hang out with your pets while you do houses chores, read, watch TV, or work on computers. Take dogs on errands.
• Change the pets’ environment to make it more fun and entertaining:
  • Great toys such as chew toys, and treat toys for dogs, hanging mouse or feather toys, clawing posts and treat toys for cats, and an ever-changing assortment toys and treats for birds.
  • Hide treats inside toys, boxes, old shoes for pets to find.
  • Hang bird cages near windows and install wide shelves or ledges for dogs and cats to sit and watch the world outside their windows.
  • Pet furniture is commercially available and includes ramps, houses and comfortable pet beds.
  • Some pets like to watch other animals on TV so let you pet tune into Animal Planet or a nature channel, or watch nature DVD’s.
  • Hire a dog walker or pet companion, a neighbor, or a part-time student to visit your pet and provide companionship and exercise.
  • Daycare centers are available for dogs and might be just what your dog needs for socialization and training as well as companionship.
  • A creative work situation might work for you and your pet. Some pet owners are now permitted to take dogs to “pet-friendly” businesses and offices. Other pet owners are working and telecommuting from home.
  • Consider getting a companion animal for your pet. Dogs tend to be highly social and get along with other dogs as well as cats. Dogs, cats and birds can enjoy watching aquarium or caged pets such as hamsters, gerbils or guinea pigs. Cats love watching safely caged birds and birds are stimulated by keeping an eye on natural predators.

You can read more about pet separation anxiety at:

http://www.petstress.com/environment/anxiety.php

A PetStress Facebook Page fan asked us what she could do to make her “super-needy” dog stop whining when she closed the door to use the restroom, and commented “It seems I should have a LITTLE peace and quiet…”

Here are some ideas for dealing with “super-needy” dogs with separation anxiety:

1. Deal with attention seeking behavior. Provide high quality attention, petting, grooming and playtime at predictable structured times.
2. Create opportunities for independent play with fun toys for the times you’re not providing attention or are absent. Put the toys a distance away from where you are or in a separate room. The toys with hidden treats that are time-released or require chewing are especially good for keeping dogs busy and happy.
3. Maintain a calm atmosphere when arriving or departing, putting the dog in a separate room, or closing a door. Don’t make a big fuss over the dog when you depart or return, and don’t pay attention to the dog for at 15 minutes before you depart.
4. Train your dog to “Sit” and “Stay” without whining. Plan to practice every day when your dog is relaxed and a little hungry, and keep treats on hand. Keep it fun and stop while it’s still fun.
5. Practice leaving the dog alone, having him stay in another room, or closing the door for increasing intervals of time.
6. Desensitize the dog to your absence or departure behavior by closing a door for just a moment, jingling keys or putting on your coat when you’re not going out, or leaving through one door and returning immediately through another door.

If the problem persists, consider hiring a qualified dog trainer to work with you and your dog in your home.

My cat Smokey knew all the signs of an upcoming family vacation such as suitcases on beds and bikes lined up ready to be loaded on the van.  He moved into action as a potential stowaway.

He packed himself in a suitcase,

and was not happy when I discovered him.

He packed himself in a duffle bag instead.

He attempted to get strapped in place on the roof rack with the bikes.

He looked for a stowaway spot in the back of the van.

He plastered himself on family members.

Smokey started to relax when he realized one of his favorite humans was staying home with him.

Pet separation anxiety is quite common and they really do miss you when you’re away. You can read more about reducing your pet’s separation anxiety at http://www.petstress.com/environment/anxiety.php