Every dog is unique, so your pup may experience more or less symptoms of loneliness than others. It is important that you keep an eye on their behavior to see if anything is out of the ordinary and consult with your vet to determine next steps.
Signs a dog may be lonely include:
– Destructive behavior: From chewing on household items to scratching at doors, feelings of boredom and loneliness can cause a pup to act out.
– Withdrawal: If you find your dog spends more time sleeping, avoiding interaction, or is less interested in playing, they may be feeling lonely and/or sad.
– Changes to how they eat: Some dogs may lose interest in food when they are lonely because of a loss of appetite.
– Increased barking/howling: Vocalization (barking, whining, and howling) is one way that dogs try to express how they’re feeling. If you catch your pup on your dog cam excessively whining or barking while you’re away or you hear them when you’re leaving, it can be a sign they feel discomfort, fear, anxiety, etc.
– Restlessness or pacing: You may notice your pup pacing, circling, or moving from various spots around your home without feeling settled, especially if they know you’re about to leave.
– Clinginess: Have you noticed your dog wants more of your attention and/or follows you around your home more often? A sudden increase in attachment could mean they feel lonely.
– Potty accidents: If your dog is already housetrained and they begin having accidents indoors (particularly when you are out of the house), it can be a sign of separation anxiety and a result of feeling panic or distress.
