Total Grooming Magazine November 2021

Page 18

The Role of Diet in Managing Separation Anxiety Separation anxiety is a complex condition, and many factors can exacerbate it. It is important to always seek professional help in extreme circumstances. As with anything, a balanced diet is a vital part of any recovery programme:

The bond between a dog and owner is strong and many dogs suffer from some degree of separation anxiety when they are away from their owner

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resh dog food producer, Butternut Box, has provided a guide to help understand separation anxiety in dogs and help your dog to cope whilst you’re apart. Separation anxiety: signs to look out for in dogs Also known as separation related behaviour, separation anxiety occurs when a dog and owner are apart, leading to the dog feeling distressed and reacting with signs such as: • Destructive behaviour as a result of 18 | Total Grooming Magazine

boredom, or your dog may frantically chew something that you recently touched that still carries your scent • Incontinence • Reports of howling and barking • Physiological signs of fear which can include an increase in heart rate, breathing, panting, salivating • Trembling, pacing, whining, and repetitive behaviour • In extreme cases self-mutilation and vomiting Owners have often recorded their dogs at home alone to identify any

concerning behaviour to make sure they’re as happy as they can be. After all, we now know what it’s like to be locked in the house all day bored and lonely — so why would we want that for our best friends? Things you can do to treat minor separation anxiety There are several things you can do to help your dog cope with separation anxiety. Firstly, it’s important to note that you shouldn’t leave a dog alone for too long. You should record your dog home alone first to assess the dog’s


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