Latest news with #behavioralissues
Yahoo
30-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Does pet insurance cover separation anxiety in dogs?
Separation anxiety is one of the most common behavioral issues in dogs, affecting up to 20% of pups. And it's more than just a little whining at the door. Dogs with separation anxiety can experience real distress that leads to destructive behavior, accidents in the house, and even self-harm. Pet insurance might help cover anxiety-related treatment, but only in certain cases. Most policies won't cover separation anxiety if it's a preexisting condition. But if it's eligible for coverage, your vet typically needs to diagnose the condition and prescribe specific treatments, like behavioral therapy or medication. Learn more: How does pet insurance work? A complete guide What is separation anxiety in dogs? Separation anxiety is a behavioral condition that shows up when you leave your dog alone and they become extremely distressed. While some pets may bark or pace when you head out the door, dogs with true separation anxiety often display intense, persistent symptoms that don't go away with time. Separation anxiety in dogs typically stems from a fear of abandonment, past trauma, a new home environment, or sudden schedule changes — though it can also show up unexpectedly in pets that have never had issues before. Genetics can also play a role. Certain breeds of dogs are more susceptible to separation anxiety, including French bulldogs, dachshunds, Labrador retrievers, and more. If left untreated, separation anxiety can have a major impact on your dog's quality of life (and yours too). But with the right combination of training, support, and in some cases medication, most dogs can recover or manage symptoms long term. Symptoms and signs of separation anxiety in dogs Behaviors can vary, but here are some common signs your dog might have separation anxiety: Excessive barking, whining, or howling when left home alone Destructive chewing, digging, or scratching, especially near doors or windows Attempts to escape confined spaces (like crates or rooms) Pacing or restlessness before you leave or after you're gone Accidents in the house, including urinating or defecating Excessive drooling or salivating, panting, or trembling when alone Coprophagia (eating their own excrement) Don't rule out medical issues: Medical problems like urinary tract infections, gastrointestinal problems, or neurological conditions can sometimes mimic symptoms of separation anxiety in dogs. For example, your dog may start having accidents in the house because of a urinary tract infection. Or they may have excessive drooling and restlessness if there's a neurological issue. Your vet can help confirm a diagnosis and recommend the right treatment plan. Up Next Up Next How to treat separation anxiety in dogs Many dogs with separation anxiety benefit from a combination of training, environmental changes, and medication. Here are some common treatment strategies: Desensitization and counterconditioning. These house training techniques gradually teach your dog that being alone isn't scary. For example, you might start by leaving the house for a minute or two, then slowly build up to longer periods of time. You can pair departures with positive reinforcement, like puzzle toys or treats (even peanut butter!). Environmental support. When you're gone, create a safe, calming space for your dog. This might include white noise, calming diffusers, or anxiety vests. Interactive toys and snuffle mats can also help redirect your dog's energy in healthy ways. Professional training. For more severe cases, consider working with a certified separation anxiety trainer or veterinary behaviorist. Some pet insurance providers (like Embrace or MetLife with a preventive care add-on) may reimburse you for this kind of training if a vet prescribes it. Medication. In moderate to severe cases, your vet may prescribe anti-anxiety medications or supplements to reduce distress while you work on training. These are often used short term, though some anxious dogs may need longer-term support. What happens if it goes untreated? Separation anxiety can show up in ways that feel heartbreaking and hard to manage — whining at the door, shredding the couch, skipping meals, or pacing for hours. Left untreated, this can affect how your dog feels and their health, and leave you emotionally spent. Cost of separation anxiety treatment You'll likely do a mix of trial and error to figure out what your pup responds to, so there's no one set price tag. But here's a theoretical ballpark look at what real-life treatment might involve: Vet visits to rule things out: $70 to $174 Most treatment plans start with a vet exam to make sure there's no underlying medical condition behind your dog's behavior problems. Professional training or behavior therapy: $600 to $900 per month Working with a certified dog trainer or veterinary behaviorist can be a game changer, but it isn't cheap. Some pet insurance companies might reimburse part of the cost if it's prescribed as behavior modification therapy, but most do not. Anti-anxiety prescription medication: $5 to $80+ per month Medications like fluoxetine (Prozac) or sertraline (Zoloft) are commonly used to take the edge off severe anxiety. But the cost will depend on dosage, brand, your vet, and your location. Calming aids and treats: $10 to $100+ Think puzzle feeders, pheromone sprays, thunder shirts, and calming chews. Some pet parents find them helpful, while others don't. Either way, you may find yourself experimenting to find out how your pet responds best. Boarding or doggy day care: $40 per day If your dog can't be left alone safely, day care or in-home help may be part of the short-term solution. You could even ask a family member or dog sitter if they're willing to help regularly. All told, the cost of managing separation anxiety could balloon depending on how severe it is and what mix of treatments you try. That's where pet insurance could help. Is anxiety covered by pet insurance? It depends. Many pet insurance companies offer coverage for behavioral conditions, including separation anxiety, but only with the following conditions: The anxiety is not preexisting (meaning symptoms didn't show up before your waiting period ended). A licensed veterinarian prescribes the treatment. Even then, coverage varies. Here's how a few pet insurance companies handle separation anxiety: Note: Pet insurance companies that cover behavioral therapy and prescription medication will only do so if it's prescribed for a covered condition. If anxiety isn't covered for your dog because of preexisting conditions, you won't get reimbursed for expenses. Learn more: The best pet insurance companies of 2025 Does pet insurance cover anxiety medication? Yes, in many cases, pet insurance covers anxiety medication, as long as it's prescribed by a vet to treat a covered behavioral condition. Many popular providers cover prescription medication, including Pets Best, MetLife, Spot, and ASPCA. You can add it to your Embrace plan for an extra fee. Here's what that might look like in practice: If your vet prescribes anxiety medication, like fluoxetine (Prozac) or sertraline (Zoloft), to treat separation anxiety, your pet insurance policy may reimburse a portion of the cost. Over-the-counter calming supplements, sprays, or treats won't typically be covered — unless your vet writes a prescription and your policy explicitly includes OTC meds. You may be able to use medications in combination with behavior training if your pet insurance plan covers both. Again, preexisting conditions are a major limitation. If your dog's separation anxiety showed up before your policy's effective date or during the waiting period, you likely won't get coverage, even for meds. Learn more: Your guide to what pet insurance covers Separation anxiety in dogs FAQs How much do pet anxiety meds cost? Prescription medications for dog anxiety could cost between $5 and $80 or more per month, depending on the following: The drug being prescribed Dosage and frequency Your dog's size and weight Whether you buy generic or brand-name Some examples: Fluoxetine (Prozac): $6 for 60 capsules (20 mg per capsule) Clomicalm (Clomipramine HCl): $82 for 30 tablets (80 mg per tablet) Gabapentin (for situational anxiety): $10 for 120 capsules (100 mg per capsule) What if my dog's separation anxiety is already diagnosed? Your dog's separation anxiety may be considered preexisting if they showed signs or had it noted in their medical record before coverage began. That means you likely won't be reimbursed for treatment related to it — ever. Some insurers (like Spot) cover curable, preexisting conditions after a 180-day symptom-free period, but anxiety could be considered a chronic, incurable condition and excluded long-term. Are over-the-counter calming aids covered? Usually not. Most pet insurance plans only reimburse for prescription medications. Supplements, calming chews, pheromone sprays, and thunder shirts may not be covered unless your policy explicitly includes OTC treatments and your vet writes a recommendation. But always check with your pet insurance company first.
Daily Mail
12-07-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Mom who kicked out mentally ill daughter, nine, because she was 'too hard to handle' claps back at haters
A mother who kicked her mentally ill daughter, nine, out of her house because she was 'too hard to handle' has clapped back at haters. Megan Morris, from Sapulpa, Oklahoma, explained during an exclusive chat with the Daily Mail that her daughter, whose name has been hidden for privacy reasons, started acting out when she was only a toddler. And as she got older, the youngster's 'outbursts' only got worse. She would erupt into fits of rage if her parents said no or if she felt overwhelmed; and sometimes, she would even get violent, 'lashing out physically with no warning' and 'attacking her siblings unprovoked,' leaving them terrified. She once reached behind from the back seat and covered her mom's eyes while she was driving, almost resulting in a horrific car accident. On another occasion, she flipped the swing her baby brother was in upside down so the then-three-month-old came crashing to the ground, and she once hit her sibling in the head with a candle, resulting in him needing stitches. Fearing for the safety of her other children, Megan made the hard decision to remove her daughter from their home three years ago. Chatting with the Daily Mail about it, the mother-of-five explained, 'Her behavior started becoming really hard to manage around age two-and-a-half, but there were signs even earlier. 'As a baby, she never slept and cried constantly. No matter what we tried, nothing helped. It always felt like something deeper was going on, even before she could talk.' She began therapy at age three and by the time she was six she was diagnosed with disruptive mood dysregulation disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and ADHD. 'She's been on medication since age five and has been hospitalized for inpatient treatment four times,' Megan continued. 'It's been an incredibly difficult road, but everything we've done has been to help her feel safe and supported. Megan admitted that for years, their home was consumed by 'fear and anxiety,' and that her daughter's constant outbursts were 'really hard' on her four siblings. 'She just can't handle being told to do something, and it escalates quickly. There have been times she's lashed out physically with no warning, and that kind of unpredictability is tough on everyone,' she continued. The violence became so severe that CPS eventually got involved, leading to the youngster, then nine, moving out of their home in 2022. 'CPS told me that if I didn't take action and one of the other kids got seriously hurt, I could be charged with failure to protect,' she explained. 'That was the most painful moment of my life, but I had to make the safest choice for all of my children - including her.' She's now living with her paternal grandparents, and Megan insisted she still talks to her 'every single day.' 'It's a more stable environment where she can get the support she needs,' she added. 'I still talk to her every single day through FaceTime and stay involved in all of her treatment, schooling, and care. She still comes to visit, but only for short stretches to keep it manageable for everyone.' Megan has been sharing their journey on TikTok, and while many people have been extremely supportive, she has faced some backlash over her decision to 'kick' her daughter out. 'Three years ago, I kicked my mentally ill nine-year-old out of my household for the safety and wellbeing of myself, as well as her siblings,' she said in one video, which was shared back in May and has since gotten nearly 25 million views. 'One of the major things she would do, if she was in the back seat and she was irritated or if you said something to her that she didn't like, or sometimes it was just random, she would get behind my seat and cover my eyes while I'm driving down the road. 'She would attack her siblings unprovoked. One time she got in trouble and she went and flipped her three month old brother out of his swing onto the floor. 'She took the dog kennel that our puppy was in and threw it across her room. She threw a candle at the back of her brother's head and he had to get stitches. 'She hit one of her sisters in the eye with a baseball bat because she was beefing with somebody else and for whatever reason, took it out on her sister. 'I have custody of my eight-year-old niece and one day she was sleeping on the couch and my daughter walked by her and just smacked her in the face with a shoe because she was in trouble. 'I can go on and on and on about the things my daughter did to everyone but I think you guys get the point. 'So for those of you who are judging or hating on me for removing my daughter from my household, I want to know what you would have done in these situations because disciplining my child only made things worse.' While speaking to the Daily Mail, Megan urged others to not judge her 'unless they've lived through this kind of situation.' 'I didn't give up on my child. I made the hardest decision of my life to protect everyone, including her,' she insisted. 'Love sometimes means making impossible choices, and this was one of them.' She added that she hopes by sharing their story she can help 'bring awareness to childhood mental health.' 'People are quick to assume a kid's behavior must come from trauma, but sometimes it's just a chemical imbalance,' she said. 'That's not something parents can love away or discipline out of a child.' And while she's gotten some negative comments, she insisted that the positive messages have far outweighed the haters. 'Honestly, I've been blown away by the response. So many moms have messaged me saying they're going through the same thing and thought they were the only one,' she revealed. 'That's why I keep talking about it. We need more honesty and less shame around this.' Now, Megan is raising money through GoFundMe so her daughter, now 12, can get an 'in-depth SPECT brain scan' that will look at how her brain functions. 'These evaluations could give us real answers and help us figure out the best treatment moving forward. She deserves every chance at a better future,' Megan said. In the end, she said she believes her daughter is not a bad person, but simply a 'hurting kid,' and insisted that she has not given up on her. 'After an outburst, she'll sometimes feel really bad. She'll say she wants to be better and that she doesn't understand why she loses control,' shared the mother. 'I truly believe she doesn't want to hurt anyone. She just doesn't have the ability to regulate herself when she's in that heightened state. We're working hard to give her the tools to manage it.'
Yahoo
22-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Woman Watches Nephew for Free, but Stops Care Due to His Behavioral Issues. Now, Her Sister-in-Law is Angry
A woman agrees to watch her nephew for free but is soon overwhelmed by his disruptive behavior Her attempts to enforce boundaries are repeatedly undermined by his mother, sparking ongoing tension After a final meltdown involving thrown chocolate chips, she tells her sister-in-law and brother-in-law that their son is no longer welcomeA woman seeks support from the Reddit community after a tense family dynamic leaves her feeling overwhelmed and questioning her responsibilities. She shares that she is a stay-at-home mom to a 4-year-old daughter and has been providing free childcare for her nephew, who is the same age. 'My husband worked in his twenties to build two pretty successful local businesses & he works a lot so it's better for our family for me to stay home,' she writes in her post. Their home, she adds, is 'basically a kid's dream' with plenty of open space on their farm. Meanwhile, her husband's older half-brother and his wife spent their 20s traveling, and now struggle to make ends meet. 'My husband helps them a lot, but he gets burnt out helping them with things so he generally keeps his distance," she writes. Feeling sympathy for their situation, she originally offered to watch her nephew for free, thinking it would benefit both children. 'It was great at first, because my daughter had someone to play with while I took care of farm & house chores,' she explains. However, things changed quickly as she began to notice behavioral issues. 'He thinks everything is negotiable. No doesn't mean no, it means scream about it until the adults relent.' "He cries and screams when he doesn't get his way," she adds. "He tests boundaries all the time and constantly tries to push against them." She describes feeling like she is constantly re-parenting him throughout the day. 'I get that they both work, but they overindulge him to a point that is kind of ridiculous.' She believes much of the problem stems from her sister-in-law's parenting style. 'Every time he is upset she tries to negotiate with him & usually just gives him what he wants but says 'we'll talk about it later at home when he's calmed down.' ' The woman admits she's skeptical that anything is ever addressed at home. 'I roll my eyes at this because I just know it isn't true, they don't address anything with him.' One major issue is that her nephew has not been taught to share, which causes frequent conflict. 'If he doesn't want to share a toy, he doesn't have to,' she explains of her sister-in-law's parenting style. In her house, the rules are different, and she enforces them for both children. 'If he brings a toy to my house and he doesn't want to share, I confiscate the toy so no one plays with it & then I give it to his mom telling her not to let him come back with it.' But her sister-in-law has pushed back against these boundaries. 'She's tried to coach me on how to properly handle sharing, according to her.' The woman insists on maintaining her own rules in her own home. 'When he's at my house he has to follow my rules.' To keep the peace, she sometimes removes toys that have caused issues in the past before play even begins. 'I used to give him second chances but I quickly learned that it was just teaching him he could undermine my authority.' However, the conflict extended beyond playtime. Once a week, she took the kids to a park nearby and insisted they walk or ride their scooters. Her nephew resisted and cried when she refused to carry him. 'His mom messaged me saying '(Son) doesn't want to walk to the park anymore so we came up with a plan, why don't you take them to the water park...'' She immediately declined. 'The water park costs money, it's harder to watch two kids there, and I never agreed to carpool them anywhere.' She grew increasingly frustrated when it became clear that her sister-in-law was sharing the alternate plans with her son. 'He'd bring up how his mom said we could go to another park, and then cry when I tell him I wasn't open to that.' Inside her home, more incidents began piling up. 'He takes one bite out of every strawberry in the bowl just to be spiteful so my daughter couldn't have any.' She also catches him trying to sneak toys into his bag to take home. 'Then his mom asks if he can 'borrow' it when I check his bag and call him out on it.' The final straw came when he began urging her daughter to break the rules, too. "I'd tell him he couldn't do something like climbing up the gate to the horse pasture and he'll just look at me then say '(Daughter) climb up here with me,'" she says. "He's been doing this for a few weeks now & I told his mother that if he was going to encourage my daughter to disrespect my rules he would not be allowed back over." She warned her sister-in-law that this couldn't continue, but her concerns were brushed off. 'She essentially tried to defend him, saying 'it's age appropriate.'' Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Things reached a breaking point during a baking session in her kitchen. 'He decided to throw chocolate chips across the room,' she recalls. "I told him to stop and he ignored me and told my daughter to throw them with him," the poster writes. So, she removed him and placed him in time out, but he lashed out. 'He actually started throwing things around my living room and screaming at me.' The situation became unmanageable as he repeatedly defied her. 'He kept coming back into the kitchen and I had to physically remove him over and over again.' She called her sister-in-law in frustration, and her brother-in-law arrived early to pick him up. 'I told him he wasn't welcome back, that I was done.' Although she recognizes that her decision might seem abrupt, she stands by it. 'I thought I was being helpful. And I gave them plenty of warnings that his behavior was not acceptable or appropriate in my home.' While the poster doesn't think her nephew is a "bad kid," he has "been allowed to misbehave and he's been taught that if he has a violent screaming & throwing meltdown then he'll get his way." However, her sister-in-law is upset and accuses her of being unfair. 'She wants me to finish off the week,' the woman writes, but adds firmly, 'I just simply have reached my limit and do not want to continue watching him, even for just a few more days.' In an update, the woman shares that her sister-in-law took the week off from work to care for him and is "hoping to get my nephew into a daycare soon." Her mother-in-law also reached out and offered to watch him "until they can figure out daycare," although "she doesn't want to." "She expects to be paid something for her time though," the woman notes. "I guess she always felt I was a little too generous with them and they need to be prepared to be a little more financially responsible. I hope we can still find time to get the cousins together, but I think for the foreseeable future we all just need a little space." Read the original article on People
