Nobody wants to leave their pets at home, but sometimes it can be hard (or entirely impossible) to travel with them. Sometimes called separation anxiety, some pets (especially dogs) can find being left on their own an overwhelming and stressful experience. For some pets, it’s a deep emotional reaction to their loved one going away, which results in fear, anxiety or frustration. For others, it can simply be a product of boredom due to a lack of mental and physical stimulus.
In this blog, we’ll go over how to help your pet cope with experiencing separation anxiety, and how to adequately prepare for travelling without them.
Preparing Your Pet Before You Leave
Our experts at Tailwings have put together a practical pet preparation plan that should ease the anxiety of your pet when it comes to going away:
- Gradually Increase Alone Time
Start leaving your pet alone for short periods and slowly extend the duration. This helps them adjust to quiet time and reduces anxiety when you’re away. - Keep Their Routine Consistent
Stick to regular feeding, walking, and play schedules leading up to your trip. We recommend avoiding big changes that could cause stress. - Introduce the Carer Early
If you’re having someone look after your pet while you’re away, schedule a meet-and-greet beforehand. Let your pet sniff, interact, and get comfortable with their temporary carer. - Create a Comfort Kit
Prepare familiar items such as bedding, toys, favourite treats and even an unwashed T-shirt that smells like you. These small comforts help pets feel secure in your absence. - Practice Calm Departures
Avoid emotional goodbyes. Tailwings suggests keeping departures low-key so your pet doesn’t associate you leaving with heightened stress. - Leave Clear Instructions
Provide your carer with detailed notes on feeding, medications, habits, likes/dislikes, and daily routines. The more consistent the care, the easier the transition. - Burn Off Energy Before You Go
A long walk, a good play session, or mental enrichment toys can help your pet relax during the first few hours after you leave. - Set Up a Safe Space
Designate a quiet room or area where they can retreat if they feel anxious. The pet sitter can help maintain this safe environment during welfare checks or visits.
Staying Connected While You’re Away
One of the biggest challenges of travelling without your pet is the worry that comes with not knowing how they’re coping. Staying connected (even from a distance) can make a meaningful difference to both your peace of mind and your pet’s wellbeing, so ask your chosen caregiver to send daily check-ins, photos, or updates on your pet’s sleeping/eating behaviour.
Tailwings recommends making communication easy by preparing a clear contact list before you travel, including your details, emergency contacts and your vet. This ensures your caregiver always has the right information at their fingertips.
For pets that are particularly sensitive to separation, hearing your voice can be soothing, so you might leave a recorded message or schedule a short video call if the sitter feels it would be calming rather than confusing.
Ultimately, staying connected is about creating continuity, not just getting updates. With Tailwings’ guidance, you’ll know your pet is receiving consistent, attentive care, and they’ll benefit from the reassurance that their routine and comfort remain a priority while you’re away.
For a different perspective, see our article on avoiding pet stress during travel.
Post-Trip Reassurance and Reintegration
Just as you prepare your pet before you leave, your return is part of the long-term pattern they learn to expect. Coming home after time away can be just as overwhelming for your pet as the initial separation. While they’ll likely be excited to see you, it may take a little time for them to settle back into their usual rhythm. Tailwings recommends a gentle, structured approach to help your pet feel secure, calm, and fully back to normal.
As tempting as it is to make a big fuss, try to greet your pet in a calm, reassuring way. Overly enthusiastic reunions can heighten anxiety and create a cycle of stress around your comings and goings. A warm, low-key welcome helps reinforce that your absence and return are natural parts of life.
Pets also thrive on consistency, so make sure to re-establish your routine slowly. We recommend easing them back into familiar feeding, walking and play schedules within the first 24-48 hours. If their routine changed while you were away, transition gradually rather than making abrupt shifts.
Your pet might seek extra affection or reassurance. Spend intentional time bonding — through gentle play, brushing or simply relaxing together. This emotional reconnection helps to rebuild their sense of stability. Providing mental and physical enrichment during this time is extra important; interactive toys, scent games, slow feeders, and structured walks help burn off any built-up energy and redirect anxiety. Tailwings suggests reintroducing enrichment gradually so your pet doesn’t feel overwhelmed.
Calm reunions, consistent routines, and steady reassurance teach your pet that separations are temporary and safe, making future travels smoother for both of you.
Travelling with your pet is never easy for either of you, but with the right preparation and support, separation doesn’t have to be stressful. By gradually building their confidence, keeping communication open while you’re away, and helping them settle calmly back into routine on your return, you can make the experience far more manageable.
At Tailwings, we understand how deeply connected you are to your pet, and we’re here to help you navigate every stage of the process with clarity, compassion, and expert guidance. Ultimately, you know your pet better than we do, and every pet requires different care, but whether you’re planning a short trip or a long-haul journey, our recommendations are designed to keep your pet feeling safe, secure, and cared for even when you can’t be there in person. With a thoughtful approach and Tailwings by your side, you can travel with confidence knowing your pet’s wellbeing remains a top priority every time you’re apart.