Companion Animals

Canine Separation Anxiety: Causes and Treatment

Separation anxiety affects an estimated 20-40% of dogs referred to veterinary behaviour practices and is a major source of canine suffering.

Key Facts

Separation anxiety involves panic-level distress when left alone
Signs include destructive behaviour, vocalisation, and elimination indoors
The condition developed during COVID-19 lockdowns in dogs that were never alone
Graduated alone-time training from puppyhood prevents many cases
Behavioural medication combined with behaviour modification is the evidence-based treatment

Welfare Considerations

Separation anxiety causes genuine panic in affected dogs, equivalent in intensity to a phobia response. Dogs in separation distress often injure themselves trying to escape confinement. The problem is significantly undertreated because owners manage by never leaving dogs alone, which maintains rather than resolves the anxiety. Effective treatment requires systematic desensitisation that feels slow but creates lasting welfare improvement.

What You Can Do

Start alone-time training gradually from the first day with a new dog
Consult a veterinary behaviourist at early signs of distress when left alone
Never punish a dog for destruction associated with separation anxiety
Use video monitoring to assess distress levels during absence
Consider medication as part of a comprehensive treatment plan