{"id":1210,"date":"2020-07-09T14:21:52","date_gmt":"2020-07-09T14:21:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.parkside.beyondindigopets.com\/?p=1210"},"modified":"2021-11-17T13:48:12","modified_gmt":"2021-11-17T18:48:12","slug":"pet-separation-anxiety-in-a-post-covid-19-world","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.parksidevet.ca\/blog\/pet-separation-anxiety-in-a-post-covid-19-world\/","title":{"rendered":"Pet Separation Anxiety in a Post COVID-19 World"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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With over 99,000 cases of COVID-19 since January, we have joined other nations gripped by fear and grief. But now that restrictions have eased somewhat, people are trying to establish a new normal \u2013 and pets are the first to notice. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some may have relished every extra moment with their special human, but near-constant attention and snuggles on demand may soon be waning. Pet separation anxiety is normal, but if symptoms are ignored long-lasting effects are possible. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Alone, Not Alone, <\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Stay at home orders caused a shift for family pets who went from spending 6-7 hours alone every day to having no time apart. Pets were immediately relied upon to boost our spirits and give us reasons to get out of bed in the morning. Pets embraced their new routines with unmatched enthusiasm.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Good Feelings<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There is science behind the attachment people share with their pets. Whether human, feline or canine, just simply being in the same room together can increase the production of oxytocin, the love hormone. The mutually beneficial relationship hinges upon spending quality time together, but quantity may soon be disrupted.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who Can Say?<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Pet separation anxiety is characterized as a profound fear of solitude. Pets that are deeply bonded to a single individual or a <\/span>variety of people in a household<\/span><\/a> can feel very frightened at the prospect of them leaving.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even if a pet has been alone before, they may still react adversely to sudden departures of their people. Also, many pets that were adopted right before or during the pandemic haven\u2019t been introduced to the concept of being left alone in the house. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Closer Look<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Pet separation anxiety can range from mild to severe. Some breeds may be more susceptible to nervousness than others, while others endured <\/span>fear, abandonment or stress prior to adoption<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Signs and Symptoms<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Some pets will block the exit so their people cannot leave. Others will start to pace worriedly, cry, or even withdraw and hide. If you notice these symptoms and any of the following, it\u2019s time to act:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n