Separation anxiety is a phenomenon that can occur at particular moments in the life of a dog or cat and is recognized by particular attitudes such as destructive behaviors, incessant barking and recurring moans. This ailment can be solved with natural remedies. Let’s find out better.

>   1. What is separation anxiety 

>   2. Symptoms of dog and cat separation anxiety

>   3. Dog separation anxiety: natural cures and remedies

>   4. Cat separation anxiety: natural cures and remedies

What is separation anxiety

Separation anxiety is a behavioral disorder characterized by signs of distress and particular attitudes, even of a destructive type. This occurs, in particular, when the dog or cat is alone in the house , or outside, and in any case when it is separated from the owner. 

Symptoms of separation anxiety

Some symptomatic manifestations of separation anxiety are: destruction of furniture, clothing, walls, doors and utensils (in this case it is destructive behavior), incessant barking, inappropriate elimination of feces and / or urine (anxiety favors the opening of the sphincters) and recurrent complaints.

The triggers of this type of anxiety can be different. Among the most important are:

• Very affectionate animals and dependent on the owner,
• The type of bond between dog and owner;
• The return to a situation of loneliness after a long period of cohabitation with the owner: weekends, trips, summer holidays, etc .;
• Recent adoptions: for a few days some animals live with anxiety having to move from an animal shelter to a home; in the shelter they live with other animals and never remain alone, while at home they do not always have company.

Dog separation anxiety: natural cures and remedies

Bach flowers are mainly used to treat a dog’s separation anxiety .

In initiating this therapy, attention must be paid to the dog-owner relationship, because first of all it is necessary to change certain dog habits and secondly to help the owner understand that his dog is not a human being and should not be treated as such, if he does not want to perpetuate the pathology of separation anxiety.

It is also necessary to treat both the dog and the owner with flower essences . The formula that treats separation anxiety has the main objective of lowering the level of anxiety and stress of the dog suffering from loneliness and to manage the physical manifestations that derive from it: hyperventilation, acceleration of the heart rhythm, etc.

Furthermore, it is necessary to modulate his need to always be in company and his excessive request for attention. The Bach flower arrangement to use is as follows:

• Agrimony (anxiety)
• Impatiens (acceleration)
• Sweet Chestnut (extreme distress)
• Vervain (exaggerated expression, hyperactivity)
• White Chestnut (repeat)
• Chicory (possessiveness)
• Heather (attention request)
• Rock Rose (panic) .  

The dosage is 4 drops 4 times a day with direct application in the mouth (if possible). If after 2-3 weeks of treatment the dog continues to exhibit the same problematic behavior, it is recommended to add Rock water (resistance to change) and Chestnut Bud (learning) to the previous preparation, instead of Sweet chestnut.

Bach flowers for dogs: when and how to use them

Separation anxiety in cats: natural cures and remedies

As for the dog, Bach flowers are also used in the treatment of cat separation anxiety .

Before starting the therapy it is necessary to pay attention to the cat-owner relationship, to change certain habits of the cat and secondly to help the owner understand how to treat his pet, if he does not want to perpetuate the pathology of separation anxiety.

The flower essences must be taken by both the cat and the owner. The formula that treats separation anxiety has the main objective of lowering the level of anxiety and stress of the cat suffering from loneliness and to manage the physical manifestations that derive from it: hyperventilation, acceleration of the heart rhythm, etc.

Furthermore, it is necessary to modulate his need to always be in companions to and his excessive demand for attention. The Bach flower arrangement to use is as follows: Agrimony (anxiety) + Impatiens (acceleration) + Sweet Chestnut (extreme anxiety) + Vervain (exaggerated expression, hyperactivity) + White Chestnut (repetition) + Chicory (possessiveness) + Heather (required attention) + Rock Rose (panic).  

The dosage is 4 drops 4 times a day with direct application in the mouth (if possible). If after 2-3 weeks of treatment the cat continues to exhibit the same problematic behavior, it is recommended to add Rock water (resistance to change) and Chestnut Bud (learning) to the previous preparation, instead of Sweet chestnut.