When the kiddos go back to school, it doesn’t just affect the kiddos. Parents have to adjust to not having kids at home during the day and to driving kids to and from school, games and other school related activities. But there are other household members who notice when the kids are gone – those are your pets. Here, we share back to school tips for pets to help your fur babies adjust from Dr. Kurt Venator.

5 Back To School Tips For Pets Experiencing Separation Anxiety

Your pet might suffer from separation anxiety when the kids go back to school. In fact, up to 20% of dogs suffer from separation anxiety and up to 50% of senior dogs do. How can you tell if your dog is suffering from separation anxiety?

Here are 5 telltale signs that your dog might be suffering from separation anxiety.

– urinating or defecating in the wrong places
– excessive barking
– chewing
– decrease in appetite
– pacing

If your dog does any of the above things, he or she may be experiencing separation anxiety. Here are the Top 5 Tips to Address Separation Anxiety in Pets During Back-to-School Season by Dr. Kurt Venator, Veterinarian for Purina.

1. Get your pet into a routine. Pets love routine because it makes them feel secure. I love routines, too. When kids are around during the summer, pets get used to having them to play with and socialize with. When they go back to school, this can make cats and dogs sad, confused and lonely. Your pet may experience separation anxiety. You can ease your pet into this transition by replacing the old schedule with a new one. Make sure to devote time to play with your pets after work or be sure to keep as consistent a schedule as possible.

2. Burn off some energy. If your pet becomes destructive {chewing, howling, etc.} it could mean that your pet is experiencing separation anxiety. Take your dog for a walk to help use up some of the energy they might spend doing these destructive behaviors. You can also play with your cat at night. Cats love to chase feathers, play with a ball or yarn, chase toy mice, etc.

3. Create an interactive environment. Pets love interactive toys and this would be a great time to get your pet a new one. This helps to distract them and mentally stimulate them. While the kids are away, they might notice how much they miss them less because of their new stimuli. Dogs love chew toys and cats love play areas with scratching posts, cat furniture and more. This things can help ease the separation anxiety in your pets.

4. Turn up the tunes and start with baby steps. My dog, Daisy, loves to watch TV as I am sure many of your pets do, too. Also, many animals love music. When you leave the home, consider leaving some soothing music on for your pets. This can help distract your pets from other noises that might make them anxious or think that someone is home when they are not. Some animal shelters play calming music to help their pets relax. You might also want to jingle your car keys occasionally to help your pets get used to noises that could increase anxiety.

5. Spend time with your pet. When you get home, think of your pets. You have had a long day, but so has your pet. Your pet may have been sitting at home feeling lonely all day waiting for you to come home. Be sure to spending some quality time with your pet to let them know you love them. Always be sure to show your pets that you care.

For more information, please visit www.petcentric.com.