Dog separation anxiety spikes as owners return to work, survey reveals

Some 78% of dogs have suffered behavioural changes due to their owners returning to the workplace, according to a new survey carried out by Yumove.

Findings revealed that almost four in five dogs (78%) were showing physical signs of separation anxiety when their owners leave and return from work.

The most common behavioural changes included an increase in vocal signs of distress such as barking, whining or crying when their owners leave for work.

Prior to the pandemic, more than one in six dog owners (16%) would leave their dog for more than six hours a day.

In addition, 26% of lockdown dog owners reported that their dogs became “increasingly fearful” upon their owners leaving for work. This figure decreased to 21% for pre-pandemic dogs which further emphasised that dogs brought home during the pandemic were more likely to struggle with separation anxiety when left alone.