If your heart sinks when you grab your keys—hearing whines, finding chewed shoes, or coming home to a stressed-out pup or cat—you’re not alone. Pet separation anxiety isn’t “misbehavior”; it’s a distress response to the fear of being left alone. Unlike boredom (which fades with toys), anxiety is rooted in overwhelming worry: your pet may pace, salivate excessively, destroy doors or furniture (in a panic to find you), or even refuse food until you return. These signs aren’t acts of “revenge”—they’re cries for comfort.