Going Back to School Could Leave Your Pet Feeling Blue
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
By: Lesley McGuffie

Over summer vacation, children and their pets spend a lot of time together.

Daily routines become much different as summer continues than they were during the school year. Pets have more time to socialize with you and dogs are let outside for potty breaks more frequently. The summer time routine for pets and children is generally less rigid than the school time routine. Pets can quickly get accustomed to the constant companionship from their young owners. When you go back to school, this full-time companionship quickly turns into part-time companionship. This can leave many pets feeling lonely, depressed, and insecure.

Most pets form emotional attachments with their owners that are important to the pet’s self esteem and development. Pets feel a sense of security and comfort when they expect something is going to happen and then it actually does. Good examples of this are being fed early each morning, greeting owners coming home from work or school each afternoon, and being let outside at the same time each day. Over the summer, pets come to expect more than these simple rituals. They expect to be played with, shown affection and taken for walks or to the park more frequently. When school starts again and these routines are suddenly stopped, pets can feel overwhelmed with boredom and loneliness. Pets might respond by becoming lazy, howling or crying more often, becoming frustrated and destructive, or by frantically anticipating the return of their owner. If left untreated, these behaviors can turn into long-term depression or separation anxiety.

There are many things that pet owners should consider around the start of the school year to prevent and manage these issues. For instance, it may be beneficial to begin your school time routine with your pet before school actually starts. Pets should get used to being fed and let out on the same schedule they would normally have during the school year. When the school year starts, pets should be taken for a walk or played with in the afterschool hours to relieve their pent up energy and to give them an opportunity to socialize. You can also integrate your pet into your own afterschool activities. Dogs will enjoy picking you up from school or waiting for you at the bus stop with your parent. Both the pet and the young owner can also benefit from nightly reading activities. Children who read to pets frequently become confident and strong readers more quickly than children who do not practice reading with a companion; pets will also enjoy spending independent, quality time with their young owner. In general, pets who are integrated into the school year routine will feel less confused and more secure when left alone.

If a new routine is not enough to help your pet cope with new changes, consider taking your pet back to school too! Dog training classes allow your pet to participate in cognitive stimulation, learn positive actions to correct any unwanted behavior, and participate in productive activities with their owner. Training is a great way to teach positive behavior and instill self esteem and confidence in your pet.

So if you are going back to school, don’t forget to consider what your pet will do without you. Try to supply them with toys to pass the time while you’re away, and make sure to stick to a routine that your pet will appreciate. If your pet is extremely distraught without you, try lending him or her one of your t-shirts to cuddle with so they can be comforted by your smell. Also, if you are considering adopting a new pet over any school vacations, remember to plan ahead and make proper decisions for your new pet’s care when you go back to school. Too often pets are forgotten about or neglected when their owners get too busy or overwhelmed with school and work. However, with proper care and consideration, you can keep your pet happy and healthy during the transition from summer vacation to the school year.

***Parents, don’t forget to join with your children in easing the transition from summer to “back to school” for your pets.  It takes a family working together to keep a pet happy, healthy and sound!***