Easing Pet Separation Anxiety
Separation anxiety is a common concern for pets and their people, and it’s hard to understate how much of an impact it can have on our lives, homes, and mental health. As such, it’s one of the most frequent concerns my clients bring to me.
However, we can use intuition to understand what our pets are feeling, and how they want us to help. From there, we can incorporate a variety of practices to aid them in moving through their suffering, and reach a place of safety and security when they are not with us.
I’ll dive into some of them below.
The Effects Of Separation Anxiety In Pets
The distress caused by pet separation anxiety can manifest in a number of ways:
Bathroom accidents
Howling and barking
Destroying household objects
Chewing, biting, and scratching
Agitation and aggression
Depression and whining
Pacing
These signs may be especially apparent when you’re about to leave home. For example, if your dog routinely sees you putting on your shoes and grabbing your keys, and begins to howl, that’s a good indicator that their anxiety is centered around your leaving.
Not only is it painful to witness our pets going through this, but it has an impact on our daily lives, too. Owners of pets with separation anxiety often struggle to run errands, make social plans, or travel for fear of their pet’s reaction. When they do make it out, they may often come home to soiled carpets, damaged furniture, and a very overwhelmed pet.
So, how can we help them get better? In my work, I use a combination of animal communication, intuitive readings, and energy healing to dive deeper and find solutions that work for you and your pet.
Understanding Pet Separation Anxiety With Intuitive Readings
I communicate with animals through visual images and frequency. This is a great way to help them understand the terms of our leaving, and ensure they know that we are coming back.
Here’s how I do this with my own pets when I leave town: If I am going away for 3 days and 2 nights and they will be cared for by a house/pet sitter, I send them visual images of me walking out the door and the pet sitter arriving and taking them on walks and feeding them. I communicate the length of time I will be away by showing them suns (for days) and moon (for nights).
I also connect with their higher self or Soul, which allows us to understand why they’re responding the way that they are. This might include seeing what they experienced before coming to live with you, or what their fears of your absence might look like.
Learning these things helps us understand what we can do to help them release their trauma and live more easefully. This might involve energy healing or applying flower essences, which I often use with the pets and people I work with. But, there are also simple behavioral practices you can implement at home to continue the healing.
Practices To Ease Pet Separation Anxiety
Eventually, it’s time to leave home. So, how can you prepare your pet?
Establish a safe, calming environment for your pet filled with familiar scents and toys. Some pets enjoy having soothing music playing.
Gradually increase the time you spend away, allowing your pet to adjust at their own pace.
Before leaving, spend a few moments connecting with your pet's energy. Visualize a protective and comforting energy field around them. Telepathically show them pictures of you going out the door and coming back in.
Encourage positive associations with your departure. Leave treats or toys that bring them joy.
Incorporate flower essences to help balance their energy and alleviate anxiety.
I advise starting small, and gradually spending more time away once they are feeling more comfortable.
How I Support Pets With Separation Anxiety
If you’re looking for answers about your pet’s behavior or looking to help them manage their anxiety, I’m here to help. I work with pets and their people virtually, in-home in the Tucson area, and at The Ninth House. Learn more about booking a session here!
