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While humans lamented the shelter-in-place orders that forced them to stay at home during the coronavirus outbreak, pets all over the world rejoiced as their companions no longer left them alone for long hours during the day. However, as businesses begin to reopen and pet owners return to work, these furry friends might not take too kindly to the sudden change in routine.

For the past eight months, your pets have grown accustomed to having your company throughout the day. While some may adjust without issue to your sudden return to work, others might struggle with separation anxiety due to your absence. Helping your pet cope with separation anxiety as you return to work isn’t always easy, but there are simple steps you can take to ensure your pal stays as paw-sitive as possible.

Understanding Separation Anxiety in Pets

What Is Separation Anxiety?

Just like humans, animals delight in having a routine they can trust, and that provides them with a sense of stability. Think back to how you felt when the coronavirus outbreak started: You may have felt scared, withdrawn, depressed, or even self-destructive. Pets experience these same feelings when their routines are turned upside down.

Separation anxiety is categorized by a severe aversion to being left alone. Pets can demonstrate a broad range of symptoms that can indicate to their owners that they have a real problem with being left to their own devices. It’s important for pet owners to understand when and if their furry friend has such an issue so they can help them adjust accordingly.

Signs Your Pet Has Separation Anxiety

There are a number of different ways in which your pet can communicate to you that they have separation anxiety, including:

• Pacing
• Hiding or appearing withdrawn
• Relieving themselves in the home (or outside the litter box if you have cats)
• Scratch marks on windows and doors from trying to escape
• Destructive behaviors such as chewing, digging, scratching, etc.
• Hypersalivation (excessive drooling)
• Increased barking, whining, crying, etc.

Sometimes pet owners won’t know about their friend’s separation anxiety until they return home after being away for long hours. Perhaps they left you a not-so-thoughtful present in the form of a new carpet stain or a destroyed couch cushion. Don’t worry: You aren’t doomed to a life indoors. There are simple steps you can take to ensure both you and your pet can achieve a greater state of emotional well-being during your hours apart.

Tips for Helping Pets Cope When You Return to Work

Pets are highly intelligent and can be trained to feel more confident when their owners aren’t at home. By using the tips below, you can help your furry friend feel better about spending time alone while you’re at work:

• Stay Calm: Even though it can make you feel good inside that your pet wants you to stay, it’s important not to encourage anxious behavior by giving them attention when they exhibit symptoms of separation anxiety. Stay calm and only give your pet attention once they’ve calmed down, too.
• Start Slow: Give your pet a chance to adjust by taking 15-minute breaks apart. Once they’re able to handle 15 minutes away from you, increase the time apart by another 15 minutes, and so on until you feel comfortable in their ability to be alone.
• Exercise Daily: Make sure your pet is thoroughly exercised before you leave for the day, as this will help them stay relaxed. Give them some more exercise when you get home so they can burn off the excess energy they have pent up from being alone all day as well.
• Food Puzzles: Leave your pet with a fun food puzzle to keep them entertained while you’re away.
• Desensitize Objects: Try wearing your shoes inside while hanging out at home and leaving your keys out for your pets to see that these objects aren’t always associated with your departure.
• Keep Company: Have a friend or neighbor stop by to keep your pet company if you think they need more attention than you’re able to provide with your busy schedule.

Training your pet to be alone without fear is the first step to living a happier, healthier life together!

When to See Your Germantown Vet

In some cases, your pal might have a bit more difficulty adjusting to the change. That’s okay — the veterinary professionals at Germantown Vet are available to help find a treatment that’s suitable for your best friend’s separation anxiety. If your pet has severe anxiety that can’t be cured through training, reach out to our team to schedule an appointment and begin their path to wellness today.

Have you ever heard the expression “dogs eat anything”? If you own a dog, you know firsthand that from time to time, they get curious and occasionally try to ingest something that they shouldn’t.

We’ve all heard the stories of a dog having to be rushed to the ER to have their stomach pumped ― or of a dog who ate a foreign object, passed it, and was back to normal immediately after. But there’s no way to know which outcome is likely for your dog, so what should you do when they eat something they shouldn’t? Should you take him/her to the vet or wait to see if it passes? Check out what our veterinary experts have to say.

For emergency vet services, contact Germantown Vet online or call us at 240-252-7467.

Signs Your Dog Ate Something Foreign

If your dog is exhibiting any of the following symptoms, it may mean that they have likely ingested something foreign or toxic:

• Vomiting or gagging
• Painful abdomen
• Lack of appetite
• Lethargy
• Changes in typical behavior
• Changes in bowels (diarrhea, constipation, etc.)

Go to The Vet Immediately

If your dog ingests a foreign object, you should take them to the vet right away. If your normal vet is unavailable, call a 24-hour emergency animal clinic and describe the situation. The best thing to do is to allow the professionals to properly assess the situation.

Owners should not wait to see if the object will pass on its own. Do not try to induce vomiting, as there are some foreign bodies that can cause just as much harm coming back out.

How to Prevent Your Dog From Eating Foreign Objects

The best way to keep your dog from ingesting foreign objects is to take preventive measures. One of the easiest things to do if an owner knows that their dog is prone to eating certain foreign objects is to not allow access to them.

It’s also advisable to “dog-proof” your house to limit access to objects. It’s similar to having a baby. When you have a baby, you have to be diligent about keeping doors closed and keeping things off the floor and out of the baby’s reach. When you have a dog that likes to consume everything, you need to do the exact same thing.

If you have any further questions on how to respond when your dog eats something they shouldn’t or on how to “dog-proof” your home, contact our experts at Germantown Vet ― call us at 240-252-7467.

Microchips help pet owners reunite with their pets, and the devices are now gaining more awareness. Now, the new technology has become a standard practice for veterinarians and animal shelters.

The technology helps shelters return pets to their rightful owners faster. Locating owners through microchips helps prevent animal shelters from overcrowding, which reduces the stress levels for all the animals.

A microchip is about the size of a grain of rice, and it’s inserted between your pet’s shoulder blades. It has a unique number that’s connected to your contact information. If your pet is lost and taken to an animal shelter, technicians will check for a microchip right away. If your pet has a chip, it will be much easier to reunite you with your furry friend. No worrying about lost collars or tags – your pet’s microchip is unique and permanent, so it offers a lifetime of protection.

May is National Chip Your Pet Month, so take advantage of all the benefits of microchips this month! Call our veterinarians today at 240-252-7467 or contact Germantown Vet online.

Reasons You Should Get Your Pet Microchipped

Wondering if getting your pet microchipped is a good idea? Here are some benefits to using the microchip’s technology:

• It causes little to no discomfort
• It can help return your pet
• It protects against theft
• It offers peace of mind
• It lasts a lifetime
• It is not expensive
• It takes pressure off animal shelters and rescue centers
• It can save lives
• It encourages responsible pet ownership

Choose to Microchip Your Pet This Month!

Microchipping provides you with peace of mind, as an owner – the reality of microchip technology is that it keeps your pet safer and more secure

Choose to microchip your pet this month by contacting our vets at Germantown Vet – call our team at 240-252-7467 today!

We are all facing unprecedented changes in our work lives, social lives, and family lives during this shelter-in-place response to the coronavirus pandemic. This situation is very difficult for everyone; however, many do not realize the unique challenges pet owners face.

Germantown Vet understands that your furry companions are also affected by the outbreak and that you have to ensure their needs are met during this difficult time.

If you’re worried about whether your pet can get the coronavirus or have any other questions about your pet’s health, contact Germantown Vet online or call our trusted veterinarians at 240-252-7467 today.

How to Care for Your Pet During COVID-19

Many people are enjoying spending more quality time with their furry friends now that we’re staying in at home. However, spending time outside in public with our pets (like at parks) may be more difficult.

To ensure your pet is getting the mental and physical stimulation from the outdoors that he or she needs to thrive during this time, you should consider different ways to keep him or her moving and engaged. Here are some ways to keep your pet moving:

• Play “hide and seek” with your pet
• Build an indoor obstacle course
• Train your pet to use the treadmill

Training Opportunities

Do you have extra time on your hands due to the coronavirus? Now is a good time to use your skills in positive reinforcement training. With some treats and rewards, you can teach even your old pup some new tricks.

Puzzle Toys

During this time, you can also order some puzzle toys online to get your pet thinking. Mental stimulation can help your pet manage the anxiety that comes with learning a new routine, managing with less exercise, and dealing with residual stress from the family during these difficult times.

Indoor Exercise

For some people, going outdoors for regular playtime is impossible during the spread of coronavirus. Now is the time to consider some creative ways to get your pet moving – even if you’re cooped up in your house or apartment. Indoor exercise is a win for everyone, both pets and family.

Look Out for Your Pet During COVID-19

Our pets rely on us at all times, but especially during this difficult time in society. Whether you’re simply looking for ways to keep your pet busy and happy or your pet is handling a sickness or emergency, our team at Germantown Vet is here for you.

Contact our team online or call our vets at 240-252-7467. Germantown Vet applauds your efforts to help your pet(s) make it through the coronavirus pandemic safely.

As the pet-owning population becomes more educated on the facts about dog behavior, there are still a number of dog behavior myths that persist. Some of these myths can be detrimental to your relationship with your dog, so it’s important to know what’s true and what isn’t.

When it comes to training and living with your dog, these are six common dog behavior myths you shouldn’t believe:

Dog mouths are cleaner than human mouths

Dogs actually have just as much bacteria in their mouths as humans, just different varieties.

A dry nose means a sick dog

If your dog’s nose is dry, it isn’t necessarily a sign of illness. Dry noses are usually a sign of sunburn (more common in dogs with pink noses) or allergies.

Dogs can’t see color

Dogs can see colors on the blue and yellow spectrum; however, they don’t have the cone receptors in their eyes to pick out red and green. Regular dog vision is closest to a human with red-green colorblindness.

Dogs only eat grass when they’re sick

Dogs of all shapes and sizes just love a good graze. Dogs will vomit occasionally, after eating certain kinds of grass or eating too much, but it doesn’t indicate that they’re sick.

A wagging tail means a happy dog

Yes, it is true that happy dogs wag their tails, but so do aggressive or agitated ones. Dog body language is much more involved than just setting the tail to “on” or “off.” Gaze, posture, facial expression, and ear position, along with the tail cues, create a range of expressions.

Dogs age 7 years for every human year

In reality, dogs mature much faster, and their size and weight play a large role in their life span – so it’s different for each dog.

Did you find these debunked myths about dogs interesting? Want to learn more about our services here at Germantown Vet? Contact our team online or call 240-252-7467 today!