Separation Anxiety: What Pets Feel, What We Feel, and How to Support Them

Separation Anxiety: What Pets Feel, What We Feel, and How to Support Them

Author: Janet Marlow May 2, 2026 Duration: 6:27


Welcome to We’re All Ears, where we explore the emotional and sensory lives of animals—and how they experience the world around them.

Today we’re talking about separation anxiety. Not just from the pet’s perspective, but from the pet parent’s as well. Because separation is never one-sided.

When a dog or cat is left alone, it isn’t simply “quiet time.” It’s a sudden shift in their entire sensory world. The familiar sounds disappear. The subtle rhythms of the home change. The presence of their person—arguably their strongest sense of safety—is gone all at once. What remains can feel unpredictable. For many animals, this triggers a stress response. You may see pacing, vocalizing, destructive behavior, or even withdrawal. These responses are often misunderstood as disobedience or lack of training, but they’re not. They are biological. Animals are wired to stay connected to their environment, and especially to the sensory cues that signal safety.


In Pet Acoustics: We're All Ears!, host Janet Marlow explores the intricate relationship between animals and the soundscapes they inhabit. As a Sound Behaviorist and founder of Pet Acoustics, Janet guides listeners through a nuanced auditory journey, revealing how creatures great and small perceive frequencies and noises invisible to human ears. This podcast isn't just about cute pets; it's a deep dive into the science of hearing, behavior, and emotional well-being. You'll discover how everyday sounds-from household appliances to city traffic-can trigger profound reactions in animals, influencing their stress levels, moods, and even their health. Each episode is built on the premise that by understanding the acoustic world from an animal's perspective, we can forge deeper, more harmonious bonds with our companions. Whether you're a pet owner, an animal lover, or simply curious about the hidden sensory experiences of other species, this series offers a unique blend of research, practical advice, and captivating stories. Tune in to hear conversations that will change how you listen to the world alongside your furry, feathered, or scaled friends.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 46

Pet Acoustics: We're All Ears!
Podcast Episodes
2026: A New Era of Compassionate Pet Care [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:42
Welcome to We’re All Ears, the podcast dedicated to how animals experience the world through sound, emotion, and connection. I’m Janet Marlow, founder of Pet Acoustics. And today… we’re stepping into the future. 2026 — A…
Managing Your Pet During the Holidays When They're Left Alone [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:30
Hello and welcome to We’re All Ears. I’m Janet Marlow, Sound Behaviorist and founder of Pet Acoustics.The holidays are meant to be joyful—but for many pets, they can be confusing, overstimulating, and lonely—especially w…
Holiday Calm: How to Prep Your Pet for Noise, Guests & Travel [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:31
Hello everyone, and welcome back to We’re All Ears, the podcast where we tune in to our pets’ world of hearing, behavior, and emotional balance. I’m your host, Janet Marlow, sound behaviorist and creator of the Pet Acous…
What Is Your Pet Trying to Tell You? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:05
Welcome to We’re All Ears, the podcast where we listen beyond words — to the sounds, emotions, and science that connect us to our animals.I’m Janet Marlow, composer, researcher, and founder of Pet Acoustics — and I’ve sp…
The Veterinary Lobby: Where Sound and Emotion Meet [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:22
Welcome to We’re All Ears, a podcast by Pet Acoustics, where we explore how sound and emotion shape the lives of animals and the people who love them. I’m your host, and today we’re tuning in to one of the most overlooke…
How to Get Your Cat to the Veterinarian — Without the Drama [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:42
Welcome to We’re All Ears, the podcast that explores how animals hear, behave, and thrive through sound. I’m Janet Marlow, animal sound behaviorist, composer, and founder of Pet Acoustics.Today, we’re talking about somet…
Inside the Exam Room: Bringing Hearing Health Into Veterinary Care [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:19
Welcome to We’re All Ears, the podcast where we explore how sound shapes the wellness and emotions of animals. I’m Janet Marlow, founder of Pet Acoustics and an animal sound behaviorist.Today, we’re stepping inside the v…