27 Aug 4 Ways To Help Your Pet To Overcome The post-pandemic Depression
Like humans, pets also need companionship. During this Pandemic, many people have included pets in their families to add some joy to their homes.
Fortunately, the world is returning to normalcy. People are heading back to their hectic work routine. For that reason, maybe your pet is feeling a little bit left out or suffering from separation anxiety and post-pandemic depression?
Since they are innocent and don’t know how to cope up with the situation, this article will guide you on how you can help your little friend.
Later on, in today’s topic, you’ll get to know about what separation anxiety is, what are the signs to look for, and what to do and what not to do after the identification of anxiety in your pet. Let’s start inspecting the 4 beneficial ways to help your pet to overcome post-pandemic depression.
What Is Separation Anxiety?
If you’re feeling that your pet freaks out when you are leaving or follows you continuously while roaming in the house then probably, he is suffering from a disorder known as Separation Anxiety.
Such pets are afraid of losing you. They always seem to be in distress and might show behavioral changes such as:
- Scratching the doors or windows to trace their owners.
- Barking or whining
- Urination around the house (even when they are trained properly)
- Aggressively chewing
- Restless behavior
4 Effective Ways To Ease Your Pet From The Post-Pandemic Depression
- Create Your Pet’s Happy Place
Designate a place or an area for your pet, as his ‘room’. Like, a comfy and fun bed area where your pet can relax. Keep some toys to entertain your little friend. Briefly start distancing yourself from them. Train them about the fact that you’ll leave them for a shorter period. You’ll be back soon without creating a fuss. Give them some alone time in their area, so that they learn how to enjoy themselves. Slowly they’ll start to learn to stay without your presence. Once they get used to it, you can extend the duration. - Be Consistent In Your Routine
Establish a constant routine for several days. It will help your pet to understand and digest your daily chores. For instance, develop restrictions of daily relaxing time, take your pet for a walk daily at the same time, schedule times for games and meals, etc.
Once your pet learns the routine, they’ll start following it. Understanding the routine will keep them busy. As a result, an exercising pet will find time to relax and it won’t bother him more if you leave him alone. Instead, he might get a comfy nap. - Leave Your Belongings With Your Pet
Our belongings such as shirts, gloves, blankets, etc contain our smell. The pet who is suffering from separation anxiety might feel relaxed if you leave your smell with them. Usually, this scent of yours will not only comfort your pet but also provide them a sense of a safe space. - Turn On TV Or Radio
Despite all the factors stated above, you can also take the help of technology. Your pet might get more anxious when you’re not around due to silence in the house. Turning on a TV or Radio can be a good option to distract the attention of your pet. You can also install cameras around your house to keep an eye on your pet. Or leave your pet at your neighbors’ or friends’ house initially. Until they analyze the fact that you need to go and you’ll be back.
Things Not To Do!
Some pet owners consider behavioral changes as their chance of gathering attention. But once you notice unusual changes in their attitude, start noticing little details. Maybe your pet is suffering from separation anxiety.
Pets are cute creatures who always require their parent’s attention. If the owner is busy or couldn’t make up for them, they often show anger. Certainly, they don’t understand how to react. Similarly, they don’t know what is going on when they are suffering from separation anxiety.
Every individual pet needs a certain time to survive the separation period. While your pet learns about how to cope up with separation anxiety, the following are things that you shouldn’t ever do.
- Don’t Punish
Separation anxiety cannot be treated by punishing your little companion. Even though they comprehend that you’re angry, they might not be able to respond the way you want. - Buying Another Dog
If your pet is suffering from separation anxiety then getting him another pet won’t help. It is because your pet needs you to overcome the anxiety, not any other toy or friend. - Training Issue
Don’t consider the disobedience and bad behavior of your pet as an act of disobedience. Instead, understand what they are trying to explain through their actions.
Bottomline
Separation anxiety is real. It happens when your pet is attached to you a lot and doesn’t like leaving you alone even for a minute. The separation from the owner results in severe depression in a pet. Understanding the environmental changes of your pet and dealing with them accordingly will help your pet to cope up with the situation quickly.
Unlike humans, pets don’t know how to cope up with mental issues by themselves. They need assistance and require a lot of care. Before taking any action, take advice from your veterinarian. They are skilled and efficient enough to guide about the details.
Understanding changes in the behavior and body language will explain to you a lot about the mental health of your pet. Being a pet owner, it is your responsibility to stay mindful and react to help your pet in every possible way.
Training and preparing your pet might take weeks. So before heading back to work, start developing a habit in your pet to stay alone at home. It might take time but they’ll learn how to do so. Keep your pets happy, busy, and too tired to be depressed and anxious while you’re not around.
Hope you find these tips helpful and always remember to… LOVE. BRUSH. GROOM. REPEAT.
No Comments