Preparing Pets for Back-to-School: A Guide to Reduce Stress and Boredom
As the school year starts and parents head back to work, animal family members may find themselves suddenly alone, leading to stress and boredom that can lead to problematic behaviors. From dangerous exploration to destructive tendencies, animals left alone may also disturb neighbors with incessant barking. While this issue is more common in dogs, cats with a history of abandonment or abuse may also display signs of anxiety, such as hiding, shaking, and loss of appetite.
Plan For Success
To ensure a smooth transition before school starts, it’s crucial to create a plan and implement it before new routines begin. Our animal family members thrive on routine, so it’s best to get them ready for back-to-school by allowing the family to gradually spend more time away from home. This gradual increase in separation will help them adjust to the idea of being alone without feeling suddenly abandoned.
Boredom is one of the primary reasons animal family members engage in destructive behavior. To alleviate this, provide them with stimulating activities. Ensure they have access to a window to watch the outside world or using food-filled toys to keep them occupied. Leaving the TV or radio on can provide comfort to animal family members, as they enjoy listening to human voices.
Before leaving for work, make an effort to play with your animal family members or take them for a walk to expend some energy. This can help reduce the likelihood of them getting into mischief while you are away. Another viable option is hiring a pet sitter or dog walker to keep your furry companions company during the day.
The back-to-school season can be both exciting and stressful for families. To minimize additional stress for your animal family members, ensure lunchboxes and bookbags are kept out of their reach, and be mindful of potential toxins in the home. If you have any questions about household hazards or your animal family members’ well-being, just reach out to the Pilina Vet team.
