PetSugar

Did You Leave a Pet at Home and Move Away?

PetSugar — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 15:20:59 -0800

Empty nest syndrome doesn't just affect parents as pets can be hit hard by a human family member moving out! After all, if Fido's used to curling up at your feet at night or Fluffy accustomed to laying on your lap while you watch TV, the vacant spot can not only cause confusion but sometimes even separation anxiety or other behavioral changes. Sadly, both of my childhood pets had passed away before I went off to college so I've never experienced this – have you?
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I Need Your Help . . . Separation Anxiety

PetSugar — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 07:00:07 -0700

Since we're in the middle of a travel series here on the site, it's the perfect time to address this question from Phasekitty for our next group problem solver. This cutie pie pup, Brando, suffers from separation anxiety when he's all alone – doesn't he look sad?

See her full story when you read more.

Even though I had dogs growing up, this was something I'd never experienced until I got Brando. As a young puppy, most books said it was normal, but now that he's nine months old, I feel he should be starting to grow out of it . . . and instead it's getting worse! He's crate trained and won't cry at night, but during the day he'll bark the second I step out of the apartment. If I leave him in a place that's not his crate (like say, the hallway or the kitchen), he'll chew and destroy anything he can find from the floorboards to the gate that's holding him in, even though he has tons of chew toys and bones with him. If I leave the apartment for even a second to run down and get the mail or put in some laundry, he'll whine and cry, running around and wreaking havoc until I get back – even if my boyfriend is in the room with him!

He's very well exercised (he gets two long walks a day), has a TON of toys (varying from hard and chewy to soft and snuggly), and generally well disciplined when I'm around (as much as a puppy can be). I've tried leaving for small intervals and only coming back when he's not barking, scolding him when he does bark by giving a stern "no," as well as having him sit and ignoring his excitement until he sits patiently when I first come in the door. All of this doesn't seem to be getting very far. I know there are medications for anxiety, as well as pheromone plugs, but I'd like to think I can do it naturally – I see these as a last resort. Do you think you can help? Any suggestions?

What's Your Take: Are We Overmedicating Our Pets?

PetSugar — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 12:30:28 -0700

Remember Slentrol, the canine antiobesity pill? Seems like that was just the start as there's now a medicine cabinet's worth of pills for pets . . . many very similar – if not chemically identical – to those meant for people. Treating common issues like separation anxiety (Reconcile), doggie cognitive dysfunction (Anipryl), and depression (Clomicalm), many vets also prescribe these drugs "off-label" for other issues like the "compulsive disorder" of Allan and Michelle Spring's German Shepherd:

Tail-chasing is normal - except that Max did it daily, often for hours on end. “He’s like a junkie needing a fix,” Allan said. “At times he can’t not do it. He goes berserk.”

I've seen pups chase their tails before, pets that are super chubby and dogs who hate when their humans go byebye, but I've never thought there were pills to treat all of these things. I'm pretty picky about what goes into North's body, and personally don't think I would choose chemical treatment unless it was a last resort – what do you think?

Come PetMarking With Me: Tough Toys For Crazy Chompers

PetSugar — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 10:30:01 -0700

North's not the only pooch who has a birthday coming up – lil Brando the Basset Hound will be turning one on June 23! Not only did this pooch have trouble with separation anxiety, he's quite the tough chewer. Since even the Tuffies are no match for his mighty jaws, can we help out Phasekitty on a bookmarking mission in time for her pup's first birthday celebration?

All you savvy shoppers and Internet researchers out there, please suggest the best toys for tough chewers and come PetMarking with me, by bookmarking your finds on TeamSugar. Don't forget to tag your finds as "Tough Chewers." I'll do a recap next week of our finds.

Geeksugar has written a helpful explanation of how to bookmark . . . or, in our case, PetMark! Happy hunting!

Don't know where to start? To see some of my favorite online stores, read more.

The Sophisticated Cat

Trixie+Peanut

Wag Stores

Get Up and Go: Do You Call to Check In?

PetSugar — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 10:15:00 -0700

Talk about separation anxiety! When you leave your pal at daycare or with a sitter, how often do you call to check in? Now, there are times when I like to hear what's going on with my pooch, especially if he's at a new place, and I'd hope I'd get a call if anything went wrong. For those of you frequent phoners on there, I'm curious – what do you ask, what do you want to hear, and what's the craziest thing you've asked or heard? After you answer the question, share your stories in the comments below!

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