My dog has accidents, scratches, and cries. Is it separation anxiety?

Question

My dog wees and poos during the night even though I take her outside just before we go to bed, also when we leave her to go out she scratches the door that much that there isn't really a door left anymore. Because of this we have brought her a cage which is plenty big enough for her, but she keeps crying even though she can see us in bed. Do you have any advice on how to get her to calm down easier or what is the best way to make her more comfortable? Thanks. Pet's info: Dog | Miniature Poodle | Female | unspayed | 1 year and 6 months old

Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA · Accepted Answer

Poor Molly! Scratching the door to the point of causing damage while you're away is a very common sign of separation anxiety - this may also be why she cries at night and even has potty accidents, since anxiety is a common cause of these issues as well. Since it sounds like her problem is fairly severe, I would recommend talking with your vet about the issue - many dogs with anxiety like this benefit from daily medication such as Prozac to help reduce their stress. You can also try a DAP pheromone collar along with a natural calming supplement like Zylkene or Composure to see if this helps. I would also recommend leaving Molly with some type of long-lasting treat every time you leave the house and also at bedtime - something like a Kong toy stuffed with peanut butter works well for many dogs. This will give her something to keep her busy and encourage her to settle and relax.

My dog has accidents, scratches, and cries. Is it separation anxiety?

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