Dr. Al Townshend

With summer ending, the family’s attention turns to changing routines and activities, which includes back to school for the kids and a more work-focused routine for the parents. For many, it may mean less time at home, which can affect the pets in the family.

Our canine companions are loving creatures that thrive on our attention. Summer can be a time when the family is together more often than the rest of the year. It is often a season that provides more interaction with our pets. When that extra time together ends abruptly, it can significantly affect some pets.

According to Dr. Nicholas Dodman, director of the small animal behavioral clinic at Tufts Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, “Dogs and cats that enjoy human interaction and affection can become psychologically unglued — especially if their best human friend in the household happens to be one of the kids and suddenly that person ‘disappears’ and goes off to college. It definitely leaves a void in the pet’s lifestyle,” explained Dodman. “The same applies when kids go back to school and suddenly their lives are so filled with activities that they no longer have the same amount of time for fun that includes the family pet.”

Abrupt changes in a pet’s daily life can be unsettling and trigger multiple negative emotions. The pet may feel as though its done something wrong or wonder why their family isn’t spending as much time with them. This can lead a pet to anxiety, depression, and boredom.

Separation Anxiety

Separation Anxiety is an all too frequent back to school change that can cause negative behavior such as destruction of property, inappropriate elimination, and excessive barking. Pets can become anxious as family members prepare to leave the home. They may follow you closely and begin to pant and make every effort to come with you when you open the door.

Depression

Depression is another common back to school change. Lack of appetite, listlessness, and loss of interest can all be signs that the pet isn’t feeling themselves.

Boredom

Boredom can cause a pet to find ways to pass the time. Chewing the furniture or other destructive and harmful behavior can occur.

How Do We Prevent These Problems?

We must first understand our pet’s essential emotional needs. Our pets give us all their love and attention every day, and they need some in return; otherwise, they can become insecure and emotionally distraught.

Establish a Predictable Routine

• Developing a regular schedule so pets can predict and look forward to periods of activity and interaction is essential in maintaining a calm and secure pet.
• Ease into this routine prior to school starting, this will help your pet to grow accustom to the changes earlier into the actual school year.

Enrich their Environment

• When time is devoted to interacting with the pet, make sure all of the pet’s needs are addressed. Play, exercise, training, elimination, love, and attention should always be addressed first.
• A rich environment should always include toys, puzzles, mental stimulation, and rewards for good behavior. Providing toys with food rewards when leaving is a great way to keep the pet calm and give them something to look forward to when leaving them alone.
• Rewarding the pet for good behavior when returning can give them something to look forward to on your return.

Difficult Cases

• When nothing seems to work, daycare or a sitter may help pets overcome their anxiety.
• Background noise, like music or a nanny cam that allows you to see and communicate with the pet, may help.
• Consulting with a veterinarian or animal behaviorist can help provide solutions.

Creating a safe and loving environment is the key to all of the changes that occur throughout the life of a pet.