With the kids back at school, your house probably feels a little emptier during the day and is definitely quieter. If you’re working outside the home, things might not feel that different to you, but your pets’ routine has changed drastically!
Transitions are difficult for all animals, whether it’s weather, locational, in our bodies, or chronological. But it’s a little easier when we understand what’s happening. Unfortunately for your pets, explaining why your kids are no longer home during the day and people are getting up and going to bed at different hours is impossible.
Luckily, planning it out can make life easier. Here’s our back-to-school guide for pet owners.
How Is Your Pet’s Mood?
Pets get stressed around changes to routine. That’s understandable, given that change can indicate danger, and they have no way to understand why their schedules are changing. It can be confusing, scary, and even sad.
If you can imagine the people you love suddenly taking more time away from you without explanation, you can understand how they feel. Some dogs and cats get used to it when they’ve been through it several times, but that’s not true for all, and the first time may be difficult regardless.
Monitor your pets’ moods. Do they seem stressed or anxious? Or depressed?
Signs of stress include behavior changes or increased reactivity to noises and other stimuli. They may also begin showing regressive behavior, like chewing on things that don’t belong to them or messing in the house.
Depression can look like decreased activity levels, clinginess, or less interest in socializing and activities they previously enjoyed.
While some of these behaviors can be frustrating, you mustn’t get angry with your pet and understand that they are coming from a place of confusion, fear, or not having their needs met.
Luckily, there are ways to help.
Gradual Adjustments to Your Pets’ Routine
One of the best things to do to help your pets adjust to their new routine is to make gradual changes. If waking, sleeping, and eating hours are shifting, do it a little at a time, starting before the kids go back to school. In fact, that may be easier on the whole family!
If part of your pets’ routine involves playing with the kids or the kids caring for them, start shifting the time that happens or start integrating other family members doing it if that responsibility is about to shift.
Critically, don’t eliminate walks and playtime from your pets’ routine. Instead, shift the time of day. Your pet still has the same needs.
Let the Love Flow
Your pets are part of the family, and they love you and the time you spend together. As the kids’ responsibilities grow and shift, remind them that their dogs and cats still need that love and encourage them to set aside time for them.
Finding time to do everything we need to do can be challenging, but every little bit matters. Our pets give us so much but don’t ask for a whole lot in return. Just showing them they matter will go a long way toward improving their mood, decreasing their stress, and helping them feel loved.
If your pet is having extreme difficulty adjusting, consider speaking with your friendly Roanoke Valley Vet about your pets’ routines and whether they need something they’re not getting. It’s helpful to have another set of experienced eyes to help and assist if your pet’s anxieties are beyond the normal level.