It's that time of year again: back to school is upon us, whether we're ready for it or not. If you live here in Woodford County, yesterday was the big day, and we're sure it went off with much excitement (and many groans). But, whether it’s a
dreaded or exciting event for the folks in your family, it definitely means a big change in
your daily routine. It also means a lot
of time alone for your pets after a few months of constant attention, and that
can be a tough switch for a dog or cat to make.
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| Sir Pugglepants doesn't want you to go back to school, either. |
Summer
vacations are bliss for a family pet, because both kids and parents are
spending more time at home. In the
hustle and bustle of a new school year, it’s easy to forget that your pets have
become so accustomed to your presence that the sudden departure from their
summer routine can leave them feeling lonely, bored, or even abandoned. Changes in behavior often crop up around this
time of year that can seem, on one end of the spectrum, like a lapse in
training, or even an act of revenge – destructive chewing, potty accidents in
the house or on your things, excessive barking and meowing – and on the other
end of the spectrum, like a lack of interest in the usual joys of life –
lethargy, inactivity, or just plain old depression. This manifestation of separation anxiety
doesn’t usually last long, but it’s just as important to help your pet through
it as it is with more chronic cases. The
key is to know what’s coming, and help your pet weather the storm.
Routine is everything to your pet, so try to keep potty break and walk schedules as close to normal as
possible, even though your schedule is on the move. And, although it seems kind of counter-intuitive, it’s important to downplay departures and
arrivals; it’s great to see a super-enthusiastic pet waiting to greet you when
you come home, but by encouraging their behavior you’re just reinforcing the
idea that departures and arrivals are a big deal…or that they’re permanent. When you first come home, the best thing is to just ignore that bouncy, hyper, excited pet for 10 minutes or so, and then greet them calmly and affectionately. If your pet is really struggling with your departure in the morning, try and make it a positive experience; give a special treat every time you leave, like a stuffed, frozen Kong toy that is especially desirable and will keep your pet distracted for a little while after you're gone. For kitties, a favorite catnip toy or a canned food treat can be good options; you can even try making kitty popsicles by freezing the water from a can of tuna, a little canned food, or a little chicken baby food in an ice cube tray.
Smells help, too, so little
things like a shirt or blanket that smells like you can be enormously
reassuring to a pet. And don’t get so
tied up in school and work that you cut back your pet’s exercise time: physical
activity keeps your pet feeling content and happy, and that’s especially
important when your kitty or pooch might be feeling a little neglected. Plus, regardless of your schedule, exercise is important to your pet's mental and physical health. Duh. We all know this, but it can be easy to forget when we get busy, so a reminder never hurts.
If you've done all of these things, and your pet still seems to be struggling with your back to school schedule, just sit down with your pet and make a little time for extra snuggles. Extra snuggles go a long way.
Head back
to school or work this fall with the same gusto (or groans) as always, but remember your
pets, too: they’re a part of the family and they miss you when you’re
gone.
