It’s that time of year again where parents are busy buying bouquets of pencils and backpacks with the latest movie characters on them and having lively discussions with the kids about what clothes are appropriate for school. It’s BACK TO SCHOOL time again.
But what about the four legged members of your family? While this time of year is exciting, it is also stressful not just for parents and kids but for the family pets as well. Maybe they have spent all summer running in and out of the house at will and playing outside with “their” kids. Maybe they have just spent many hours snuggled up together watching TV, reading, playing games, etc. Whatever the case may be, the kids are now gone for many hours a day and your pets may struggled with separation anxiety. Or they may just become a pest and bug Mom or Dad a million times a day to “let them in, let them out, let them in, let them out…”
How can you help?
Here are a few short tips to make the back to school transition easier for you and your pets.
- Make time to spend with your pet even if it’s just a few minutes a day while the kids are away.
- If possible, when walking or driving your kids to school, take Fido with you.
- If you are gone from home all day as well, get your pet some “smart toys” that will engage him more fully or maybe invest in a “Pet-Cam” that allows you to talk to your pet. Some models even allow you to push a button on your smartphone and reward your pet with a treat.
- There’s also the low-tech approach by getting your pet some new toys or treats to distract him.
- As crazy as it may sound, getting another pet may be a solution if your pet is feeling especially lonely and starting to show signs of depression or acting out.
- To prevent accidents, stress for your pet, or even just as a convenience for you, consider adding a Hale Pet Door to your home. This will allow your pet to relieve himself as needed and also give them access to the great outdoors where there are many more sights and sounds to entertain him until “his” kids come home.
