Animals experience loneliness just as humans do. And just like in the case of loneliness in humans, pets can develop some troubling physical symptoms in addition to general psychological melancholy. Detecting pet loneliness can be difficult, as it’s easily confused with typical pet tantrums. The key difference between a normal spat of poor behavior and a deeper-seated loneliness is frequency and duration.
Symptoms of loneliness in pets
Like human symptoms, pet outbursts will vary depending on the individual. However, the most common sign of loneliness is when the pet forgets they are housebroken. They will often wait at least a half hour until after they’ve been left alone to urinate in inappropriate areas. They are seeking attention.
The psychosomatic stress of being left alone can also induce vomiting. Separation anxiety can also lead to animals seeking out and destroying anything with your scent. This includes, but most certainly isn’t limited to, shoes, clothes, and furniture. It’s an attention seeking method that is a primary sign of anxiety.
What to do
Although a trip to the vet is an option for treating separation anxiety and general loneliness, it is by no means the only option. The best option is to make more time for your pet. However, if that’s not possible, pet or human companionship of any type is the best long-term solution to loneliness. Pet daycares are wonderful if you can find them as your companion can interact with other pets and keepers. However, they can be expensive and difficult to find.
The final option is a pet sitter. If your animal is exhibiting any of these symptoms, contact Hill Country Pet Sitters Plus. We’d love to spend some time with your animal!