Keeping Your Pet Calm: Home Alone Edition

If your canine companion becomes stressed when they’re left alone, the key to helping them is to understand how they’re feeling. It’s hard to understand sometimes why they can get themselves in such a state, but we can comprehend situations in an entirely different way. There can be a number of factors that make them worry when they’re home alone.  

A pooch that has separation anxiety will feel stress and worry when you’re not with them. This can translate to when you are in a different room or out of the house. Its severity can be variable from dogs who may just get a little sad and whine when you’re away to those who will damage the house and sometimes hurt themselves to try and get back to you. Separation anxiety is sometimes person specific or sometimes generalised to cause them to become stressed when they are away from people. If your pooch’s separation anxiety is specific to you, you could leave them with the company of someone you trust, and they may still continue to feel anxious and upset while you’re away.  

There are several causes of separation anxiety. A prior history of abandonment or neglect can cause a pup to panic when being left, so if you have a rescue, this can be something they struggle with. It’s not the case in every situation, though, and sometimes it just comes from a lack of experience. Dogs can find new things scary, and if they’re not used to being left alone, they can lack the confidence they need to be comfortable. If they’re used to you being home all day, like in situations where you previously worked from home and then got an office job, that shift in routine can also make them anxious. Dogs can become anxious about being left alone if they’re left too often or not enough, so it’s all about finding balance.  

There are a number of different ways that your canine companion can tell you that they’re feeling worried about being left alone. It can be as subtle as becoming withdrawn when they see you putting your shoes on, or they can be very persistent in trying to keep you from leaving. Signs may start before you walk out the door, just after, or some dogs even have a threshold of a certain amount of time where they are comfortable before they start to display signs of anxiety. If you’re not sure because your pooch doesn’t display signs before you leave, setting up a doggy cam that can link to your phone to help you monitor them will allow you to see any signs. The types of signs you're looking for include:  

There is no set rule for how long you can leave your dog alone, as every dog is different, but there are certain factors you can use as a guide. Your pooch needs access to food and water, so they should not be left alone long enough to either run out of water or miss a meal time. Your pup will also need to go to the toilet, so their time left alone should not extend beyond how long they can hold and cause them to have accidents in the house.  

If you have a young puppy, they need a lot of toilet breaks and regular feeding, so leaving them will usually consist of just a couple of hours, two or three at a maximum. As your beloved pet gets older, they may also need more frequent toilet breaks of medications at specific times which means you won’t be able to leave them as long. An adult dog who is comfortable being left alone can be left for around six hours, sometimes more, but they may need a space where they can go to the toilet if they need to or for you to pop home to let them out in between. Puppy pads are a great way to give your pup someplace to go to the toilet if they need to while you’re out. 

In most cases, it’s unavoidable, and at some point in their life, you’re going to have to leave your pooch home alone for a period of time. To make it as easy on them as possible, you can prepare them by gradually leaving them for short periods to help them learn what to expect. By making sure they feel comfortable and they have everything they need, you can make sure they are able to relax at home without you. 

Exercising your beloved pet before you leave them alone is a great dog calming method. If they’re had a good run around or a game of fetch to tire them out, they’re far more likely to rest when you’re away. If you think about what your pup usually does after a walk, they will find a nice relaxing spot to curl up and regain their energy with a nice snooze. Timing exercise to make sure the period you’re away passes quickly and they’re not up and bored waiting for you to return is a great way to reduce anxiety.  

You know your canine companion better than anyone, and you will have the best understanding of the kinds of toys that will keep them occupied when you’re away. They might have a favourite ball that they love to play with, but it won’t be as fun when you’re not home, so consider giving them some novel and new options that only come out when you leave the house.  

If your pooch is more likely to nap, a new cuddle buddy to keep them company while you’re out might be your best bet. They can snooze away their alone time and not feel entirely alone. You can even get lavender scented cuddly toys like the Pet Brands Lavender Anxiety Snowy Owl Dog Toy to ensure they have nothing but sweet dreams. If your furry family member is more likely to want something to do to occupy themselves, interactive toys are great for keeping them busy. If they’re foody, then you can give them a Kong Classic Dog Toy stuffed with goodies, and they might not even notice they’re home alone!  

Time home alone should be a relaxing and safe environment. Spas are experts at this, they make a strange and novel environment nice and relaxing by playing music. You can use a similar method by playing the radio on a low volume or leaving the television on. It will create a more comforting environment for your pooch, and they won’t be as sensitive to noises outside that might otherwise make them a little anxious.  

Some dogs love having a safe space, so giving them a crate can really help to give them that nice quiet space that is all theirs. A comfortable bed like the Rufus & Rosie Calming Grey Dog Bed will encourage them to take a peaceful nap while you’re out of the house. 

If your pooch does get nervous when left alone, you can use things like dog calming treats or even anxiety medication for dogs if they have a severe case of separation anxiety. Sometimes all they need is a little helping hand and treats like Wellness CORE Reward Calming Duck Dog Treats. They contain passionflower and camomile to help soothe their anxiety in the same way we might drink a calming tea.  

Supplements like Yumove Calming Care Supplement for Adult Dogs contain a number of ingredients that claim to maintain the calming pathways in the brain and support relaxation. They can take the edge off any anxiety by supporting their brain in normal function to help keep them nice and calm. Dog calming plug ins do this in a similar way by using pheromones that mimic the chemical compound a mother dog releases that helps to calm her puppies. Even as adults, pheromones can really help to settle a dog. They come in plug ins, collars and even sprays like Adaptil Calming Spray to help keep your four-legged friend relaxed.   

In some severe cases, you may need the help of your vet but planning ahead can be key to keeping your pet relaxed and comfortable when home alone. Focus on meeting their needs and easing anxiety before you head out, and gradually get them used to longer periods without stretching them beyond where they’re comfortable. In no time, you can have a pup that enjoys their relaxing alone time!  

Want to know more about how to keep your furry friends happy? Discover our helpful articles on our blog!