When You Leave the House, Your Pet Feels It: Understanding Pet Separation Anxiety
You grab your keys. Slip on your shoes. Head for the door.
Behind you, your pet is already on high alert.
For many dogs—and some cats too—being left alone isn’t just a little boring. It can be genuinely distressing. Pet separation anxiety is more common than most people realize, and it often shows up in ways that are confusing, frustrating, or even heartbreaking for pet parents.
Understanding what separation anxiety is, why it happens, and how it affects pets is the first step toward helping them feel safe and secure—even when you’re not home.
What Is Pet Separation Anxiety?
Separation anxiety is a behavioral condition that occurs when a pet becomes extremely stressed when separated from their primary caregiver. This goes beyond normal mild discomfort or missing you. Pets with separation anxiety may panic, feel unsafe, or believe they’ve been abandoned.
Dogs are especially prone to separation anxiety because they are social animals who evolved to live in close-knit groups. Cats can experience it too, though it often looks different and is sometimes overlooked.
Common Signs of Separation Anxiety
Separation anxiety doesn’t look the same in every pet, but some common signs include:
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Excessive barking, whining, or howling after you leave
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Destructive behavior (chewing furniture, doors, or windows)
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Scratching at doors or escape attempts
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Accidents in the house despite being house-trained
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Pacing, drooling, or heavy panting
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Refusing to eat when alone
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Over-the-top clinginess when you return
These behaviors aren’t acts of spite or “bad behavior.” They’re stress responses. Your pet isn’t trying to punish you—they’re trying to cope.
Why Do Pets Develop Separation Anxiety?
There’s no single cause, but several factors can increase the likelihood:
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Sudden changes in routine (new job, return to the office, schedule changes)
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Major life events like moving, a new family member, or the loss of another pet
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Past trauma, such as abandonment or time spent in shelters
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Overdependence on one person in the household
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Lack of confidence or enrichment when alone
Interestingly, separation anxiety became more noticeable for many pets after long periods of constant companionship—like during remote work or lockdowns—when pets grew used to having their humans around all the time.
This blog post is inspired by chatgpt.