Separation Anxiety, Dogs, and Your Local Veterinarian

In dogs, separation anxiety disorder can be viewed as the physical response dogs have to the anxiety they feel at being separated from their owners. In short, if they feel it, they act it.

Causes of Separation Anxiety in Dogs

• Addicted to Love - According to Anxiety.org, dogs just can't help themselves. When they see their owners, the canine brain gets a positive response in the pleasure center, resulting in a natural high and the desire for wet kisses, cuddling, and adoring stares. This is compounded as the owner provides them with food, toys, and other needs, building a solid, trusting relationship. The presence of their humans comes to create peace of mind and the sense that all is right in their world. As a result, separation is an unnatural state of being that leads to anxiety and stress. 
• They're Born That Way - Separation anxiety can be caused by genetics. Any breed can exhibit separation anxiety but the smaller breeds have proven to be more susceptible in studies. Breeds such as the Maltese, the Yorkshire terrier, the Chihuahua, the Toy Poodle, and the Miniature Dachshund are all more likely to exhibit separation anxiety than larger breeds. 
• Environment and Lifestyle - A dog's hearing and sense of smell have been proven to be more acute and sensitive than that of a human's senses. This can lead to a dog's behavior being more affected by new environments, loud noises, mystery smells, and new people or animals. Combine heightened senses with new environmental factors and no one to calm them, and the separation from a beloved owner can drive them to desperation- and chewing through the wall. 

Symptoms of Separation Anxiety Disorder in Canines

Canines can display symptoms of stress and anxiety for a number of reasons and a variety of disorders. For an accurate diagnosis, seek veterinary care at a licensed animal hospital. At Forsythe Veterinary Hospital in Winston-Salem, we treat mild to extreme cases of separation anxiety disorder. 

• Unprovoked drooling or panting 
• Frequent howling, barking, or growling
• Excessive chewing on furniture, clothing, or pillows. 
• Attempts to escape by scratching at doors and windows
• Indoor urination and defecation. 
• Escape attempts

Find Professional Help at a Veterinarian near Winston-Salem 

One of the most common causes of separation anxiety in canines is a move to a new home or the start of kennel boarding in a strange place. If your normally well-behaved dog is chewing on the drapes or trying to tunnel through the wall, you can find the help you need at Forsyth Veterinary Hospital. 

As a new resident, you may be searching for vets near Winston-Salem. We invite you to visit Forsyth Vet Hospital to see the great services we provide to furry family members. Our professional, experienced staff of vets, assistants, and caregivers provides medical treatment, prescribe medication for behavioral issues, and give excellent care to canines in a familiar environment for kennel boarding. This leads to a calmer, less anxious pet. 

Bring your dog to visit Forsyth Animal Hospital, your local veterinarian, conveniently located near Winston-Salem. You can reach us online or by phone at 336-765-1225. You can also stop in at our office, located at 2556 S. Stratford Road in Winston-Salem, NC 27103. Call our office or visit us online to map your route.