Dog Talk (previous articles)

Signs of Separation Anxiety

The presence of serious, chronic separation anxiety is obvious for most owners. They just need to hear the complaints from their neighbors or look at the damage their dog has done around the house. There are signs, however, that separation anxiety is present that may be less obvious. All signs occur only in the absence of the owner:

Starting with the most to the least obvious:

  • Destruction
  • Defecation
  • Urination
  • Loud, disruptive barking, and howling
  • Licking with skin and fur irritation
  • Salivation with saliva staining or without staining
  • Soft, nondisruptive barking and crying
  • Occasional anorexia
  • Pacing
  • Withdrawal

Additionally, dogs with separation anxiety generally follow their owners almost continually and have long-lasting reunion rituals.

If you observe these symptoms and find them worrisome, speak with your veterinarian.

Check back next month for more on separation anxiety and how to treat it.
Check back for new Dog Talk columns each month!
Here are links to previous articles:

* Some content is from "Your Dog", a newsletter published by the
Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine

 

 

Classes - Map - Registration Form
 Links - About Us

This site designed and hosted by
Plum Creek Associates