53
MAY/JUNE 2017
■
TVPJOURNAL.COM
PEER
REVIEWED
Separation-Related Disorders:
The Differences Between
Dogs and Cats
Lisa Radosta, DVM, DACVB
Florida Veterinary Behavior Service
Ariel Fagen, DVM
Florida Veterinary Behavior Service
Veterinary Behavior Consultations of Colorado
Separation-related disorders
1
are characterized
by physiologic and emotional distress
occurring only when the patient anticipates
or experiences an actual or virtual (eg, person
present but not accessible) absence from a
person with whom the pet is socially bonded.
Separation-related disorders are well
recognized in dogs, but they are less
understood in cats because of a lack of
representation in the literature.
2,3
Prevalence
in dogs presented to a behavior specialist
ranges from 14% to 50%
4–7
compared
with 19% in cats.
2
These disorders are
probably underreported in cats.
SIGNALMENT AND
PREDISPOSITIONS
Clinical signs in cats and dogs may develop at
any age, in any breed, and in either sex. There
is evidence that 55% of affected dogs exhibit
clinical signs before 3 years of age
8
and that
cats older than 7 years may be predisposed.
2
Known predisposing factors in dogs include
neutering,
9
absence of obedience training,
8–10
and adoption from a shelter or rescue
or being a found stray.
8,9,11
Predisposing
factors in both dogs and cats include daily
extended periods of time without the owner,
change in schedule or family makeup, and
shutterstock.com/Michelle D. Milliman
SYMPTOMS OF A SEPARATION-RELATED DISORDER
can include destructive acts, such as destroying
household objects, chewing furniture, and frantic
scratching at door frames and window sills.