COVID Puppies in Austin
When the pandemic first started, it was like the world suddenly froze. Everything came to a grinding halt. People were forced to stay indoors to protect themselves and their loved ones. During this time, people began to turn to the one tried and true source of friendship, companionship, and cuddly comfort: puppies. Through the start of the pandemic, puppy adoptions soared, and so did the money people spent on their beloved new friends. Working from home meant that people could spend more time with their new pets and form a tight bond.Fortunately, or unfortunately, people began going back to the office. That’s when an unintended side effect of the pandemic began to rear its ugly head. Work-from-home situations and quarantine gave our pets an unrealistic expectation of the time they could expect to spend with us. Pet parents may be ready to get back out into the world, but our four-legged friends are not. Many pet owners are starting to notice the classic signs of separation anxiety in their COVID puppies.What Is Separation Anxiety?
For many pandemic pets, spending almost 24/7 with their favorite human was normal. Fast forward to today, where many pets are dealing with the sudden shock of being left alone for hours on end while their pet parent is at work. It can be a lot for an animal to handle. In many cases, these pets are developing signs of separation anxiety. Separation anxiety is a condition where animals become anxious, distressed, or panicked when their pet parent is absent. Some animals become very “clingy” to their owners when they are around and become frustrated when they leave again.Signs of separation anxiety sometimes include:- Pacing
- Panting
- Salivation
- Excessive barking or howling
- Gastrointestinal distress such as vomiting and diarrhea
- Urinating in areas they are not supposed to
- Chewing, digging, or other destructive behaviors