How to ease separation and anxiety from dogs and cats?

Pets have spent all summer playing and bonding with their children. When the time comes to go back to school after summer vacation, kids aren’t the only ones experiencing those back-to-school blues.
Big changes in routine, like the transition from summer break to the school year in the fall, can cause separation anxiety in dogs and cats.



In fact, it’s estimated that of the nearly 90 million dogs1 in the country, 20 to 40 percent taken to veterinary behavioral specialists are affected by separation anxiety.

2  Signs of Separation Anxiety in Dogs & Cats
 If your pet has separation anxiety, you may notice some behavioral changes. Purina veterinarian Dr. Kurt Venator says to watch for the following signs:
• Improper urination or defecation in the house not associated with puppy or kitten training
• Excessive barking or howling
• Excessive chewing or other destructive behavior in the home
How to Ease Separation Anxiety in Dogs & Cats

1. Create a Routine

Family pets benefit from routines just as much as their parents and children. Leaving and returning at the same time every day will help your four-legged family members adjust to the changes they’re experiencing and reduce your dog or cat’s separation anxiety.

2. Schedule Time for Play & Exercise

Schedule designated play times for your cat or dog each day. “This is where appropriate treating comes into play. You want to reward the good behaviors and discourage the bad behaviors. A treat here or there [during playtime], along with verbal praise, can go a long way,” says Venator.

Taking your dog for a walk or playing an interactive game with your cat before you leave for the day is another calming strategy. After exercise, pets are usually ready for a nap, which creates the perfect segue for you to leave.

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3. Provide Some Background Noise

People who turn the TV on for their dogs or cats when they leave the house are sometimes considered “crazy pet parents,” but it’s good advice for treating separation anxiety in dogs and cats.

Playing music, leaving the TV on and even turning on an audiobook or podcast can provide them with some engagement and distraction. Plus, the sound of other human voices can make pets feel less alone.

4. Try Stimulating Puzzles & Games

Puzzle feeders are a great way to reduce anxiety and keep your pet mentally stimulated. Pour half of their recommended daily amount of food into the puzzle feeder each morning and then refill each evening. Your dog or cat will spend the day busy and engaged, which can ease feelings of anxiety.

Other options are to hide small portions of dry cat or dog food and leave them in bowls around the house.

“Measure out the amount you want to feed every day and then divide it into smaller portions hidden around the house,” says Purina veterinarian Dr. Zara Boland. This hide-and-seek game is particularly beneficial for cats, as it spurs their hunting instincts and keeps them busy and active throughout the day.

5. Remain Calm & Confident

You’re the pack leader, so your children and pets will follow your lead. If you prolong goodbyes, you’re more likely to spur those feelings of separation anxiety in your pets.

Instead, keep goodbyes short and sweet each time. Your pets (and children) will follow suit. If your pet (or you) struggle with this, try saying goodbye with lots of petting and praise as much as 10 to 20 minutes before you leave. Then, when the time comes to leave, you can go without feeling bad, because you’ve already said goodbye.
If you have to leave suddenly and don’t have time for a walk or to create a game for them to play while you’re away, try giving them a favorite toy to keep them stimulated.

By following the above tips, you can ease your cat or dog’s separation anxiety symptoms and make them feel more comfortable being home alone. For more pet care tips from Purina’s veterinarians,

CBD – Natural Relief for Your Pet

Cannabidiol (CBD), one of the active constituents of the cannabis plant, has profound healing and balancing effects on all mammals. Pet owners have used it for a broad spectrum of medical and behavioral issues — cancer pain, arthritis, muscle spasms, seizures, neurological and digestive disorders, anxieties, obsessions, past traumas,
 withdrawal, mood, and memory. During recovery from illness or surgery, CBD can stimulate appetite and speed healing. At the end of life, it can ease the pain and fear your pet may be experiencing. CBD does all this by stimulating the endocannabinoid system.

The Endocannabinoid System and How It Works

Named after the plant that led to its discovery, the endocannabinoid system is a network of receptors located throughout the body. Short-lived natural endocannabinoid substances are synthesized on demand by the body to maintain homeostasis, a stable internal environment. When these internal mechanisms lag behind the body’s needs, supplementing with extra CBD can help. Research also suggests that supplementing can coax the body to build more receptors so natural cannabinoids will work more effectively.

Two types of receptors have been identified: CB1 receptors, predominantly in the brain, nervous system, glands and organs; and CB2 receptors, found mainly in the regulatory cells of the immune system. Many tissues contain both receptors, each linked to a different action. A key role of the endocannabinoid system is controlling inflammation by up-regulating or down-regulating the immune response. An overactive response can lead to allergies and auto-immune problems; an underactive one can leave the body susceptible to infections and the unchecked proliferation of cancer cells.

Safety: Hemp vs. Marijuana

Although hemp and marijuana are both classified as cannabis, they are distinctly different varieties. Recreational marijuana is very high in euphoria-producing THC, while hemp plants contain virtually no THC but have high levels of beneficial CBD. Hemp-derived CBD is not psychoactive and it has no unpleasant side effects. Hemp products containing less than .3% THC are legal for sale in all 50 states. CBD from hemp is not regulated as a drug and has no known toxicity level.

Administering CBD and Determining Dosage

CBD is available in many convenient forms. Extracts can be given from a dropper bottle directly into the mouth, added to food, dropped on a treat, rubbed into bare skin or inside the ears, or dropped on an animal’s paw so they will lick it off. You can also find hemp CBD biscuits, hemp CBD capsules and gel caps, and topical hemp CBD ointments.
Dosage can vary quite a bit from one situation to the next. It may be necessary to experiment a little to find the right amount, and how often to give.

How much should you eat your pet?

The decisions you make about your puppy’s nutrition will affect his growth, development and even his behavior.

Feeding your puppy a high-quality puppy food helps set him up for a long and healthy life as an adult dog. This raises a lot of questions for first-time (and even veteran) puppy owners, though. How much should you feed your puppy and when? When should you stop feeding puppy food?

Get answers to these questions and more in our complete puppy feeding guide below. Our experts answer your questions and offer advice to help set you and your puppy up for success.

What to Feed a Puppy

When it comes to feeding puppies, there are a lot of factors to consider. Overall nutrition, breed size and the type of food all play a role. Here’s what you need to know:

Puppy Nutrition

Puppies need puppy food. Feeding puppies a complete and balanced puppy food ensures they get the proper nutrition to develop and grow into healthy adult dogs.

Puppy foods are formulated with a balance of nutrients to help puppies grow up healthy and happy. Look for protein-rich formulas to support their growing muscles. Carbohydrates supply the energy active and playful puppies need, while calcium supports developing teeth and bones and DHA helps support healthy brain and vision development.

Feeding Puppies Large & Small

Not only do puppies need puppy food, but certain breed sizes can benefit from size-specific formulas.

If you have a large breed puppy, he may benefit from a large breed-specific puppy formula. Small breeds can also benefit from small breed-specific puppy formulas. Regardless of breed size, the food should be complete and balanced for growing puppies.

The difference in formulas comes down to the unique needs of large and small breeds. Large dogs have a higher risk of joint problems, so a large breed puppy food may include additional nutrients to support their growing joints.

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Small breeds may prefer smaller kibble so they can more easily chew their food, which helps ensure they get all the nutrients they need.
According to Purina Senior Nutritionist Jan Dempsey, “Small breeds have a higher metabolic rate than larger breeds. This means they need more nutrient-dense, higher-energy food, and the same is true for small breed puppies. That’s why it’s important to feed specific small breed puppy and adult formulas.”

Dry vs. Wet Puppy Food

Although dry kibble is a popular choice, it’s not the only option. As you walk the dog food aisles, you may see both dry and wet puppy food.
This can make it harder to decide what to feed your puppy. Fortunately, as long as both the wet and dry formulas are complete and balanced for growing puppies, you can feed either one to your pup with confidence.

You and your puppy may have a preference when it comes to dry vs. wet. Feeding a combination of the two is also an option.
If you choose to feed a combination of the two, ensure the combined amounts don’t exceed your puppy’s daily recommended caloric intake. Your veterinarian and the chart below can help you navigate how much to feed your puppy.

“When feeding a combination of dry and wet food, you need to determine the daily dry amount and the amount of calories this provides first,” says Dempsey. “In general, one three-ounce can of wet food has ninety calories and equals approximately a quarter cup of dry food. So, you should substitute a three-ounce can of wet food for a quarter cup of the daily dry food amount.

“You can find specific information on Purina dry and wet puppy foods on the package or can or on the brand websites. Your veterinarian can also help you develop a plan for feeding your puppy,” Dempsey continues. “Remember, don’t overfeed your puppy and make sure he maintains an ideal body condition as he grows.”

How Much to Feed a Puppy

Now you know what to feed your puppy, but just how much food does he need each day? Because puppies grow at such fast rates, they need to start eating a complete and balanced puppy food as soon as they’re weaned, usually between six and eight weeks.

The amount of food your puppy needs depends on how much he’ll weigh at maturity. A Labrador Retriever will weigh more at maturity than a Russell Terrier, for example. So the larger dog requires more food as a puppy.

The chart below can help you determine how much dry food to feed your puppy. You should also review the specific feeding instructions on the back of his puppy food and consult with your veterinarian.
Our puppy feeding chart is a starting point to help you determine how much dry kibble to feed your puppy. Consult the puppy food package for more specific feeding instructions or talk with your veterinarian.

When to Feed a Puppy

Once you know the daily feeding amount, you need to create a puppy feeding schedule. Take the total amount of food your puppy needs each day and divide that into a series of smaller feedings. Give those smaller amounts to him at regular intervals each day.

An easy puppy feeding schedule to follow is to feed him when you eat—at breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Remember to feed him early in the evenings so he has time to digest his food before bedtime. This can help prevent accidents inside. Consistency is key. Feeding puppies at consistent times each day helps them get used to the routine.

When to Stop Feeding Puppy Food

Eventually, you’ll need to stop feeding puppy food and switch him to a complete and balanced adult dog food.
This transition is dictated by breed size, just as the amount to feed a puppy depends on his breed. Larger breeds may take longer to reach full maturity, so he may need puppy food for up to two years.
In general, however, expect to make the transition to adult dog food between one and two years of age.

Talk with your veterinarian to determine the right time to make the switch and for tips on making the change easy on your pup.

What about Puppy Treats?

How can you resist rewarding your puppy with some tasty treats? In fact, treats make an effective training tool.

It’s important to keep the 90/10 rule in mind, whether you’re rewarding your puppy for good behavior or just want him to feel loved. According to Dempsey, 90 percent of his daily calories should come from his complete and balanced puppy food. The other 10 percent can come from treats.

Following the 90/10 rule can help prevent weight gain and other health problems in adulthood.

Those puppy eyes are hard to resist, but remember, you’re building—and training—a dog. Don’t give in to feeding him human food when he begs. Not only are some human foods toxic to dogs, but you’re rewarding undesirable behaviors, which will be harder to break later on.
By referencing the puppy feeding chart above and following the 90/10 rule, you can set your pup up for a long, healthy and happy life with you. Explore all our puppy food options to find a tasty formula he’ll love.