Children going back to school might leave dogs feeling alone and lonely.
According to the RSPCA, eight out of 10 dogs are prone to “separation anxiety.”
According to Pet Hamper, training and treats can keep your pet content.
For household dogs, the change from summer to fall can sometimes be a perplexing and miserable season. When the kids go back to school, the long, magical days of play and attention around the clock come to an abrupt end and are replaced with an empty house and chilly, dark evenings.
The team at Pet Hamper has shared its top advice for assisting your family’s pets in adjusting to their new routines as part of its aim to help make pets happier throughout the UK and abroad.
Pet Hamper is a who?
The team behind hundreds of content pets in the UK and elsewhere is Pet Hamper, which was introduced in 2020. The company sells delectable pet snacks and top-notch toys that have been hand-selected from vendors all over the world.
The company opened its first physical store earlier this year after becoming popular on social media and in the internet world.
To further help spread the joy to more pets and pet lovers, Pet Hamper has teamed with companies like Vodafone, Animal Friends Pet Insurance, and the five-star Prince Akatoki Hotel in London.
Why animals feel lonely
According to the RSPCA, eight out of every ten dogs experience separation-related behavior (SRB), which happens when a dog gets anxious after being left alone.
The following are some of the primary indicators that a dog struggled while you were away:
Negative behavior, including breaking of windows and doors
Howling, barking, wining, using the restroom, and even throwing up
Excessive enthusiasm when you return and indications of anxiety before you go
It can be devastating for pet owners to notice these symptoms in their animals, but the good news is that anxiety is frequently avoidable by taking precautions before significant changes in routine and making sure your cat is amused while you are away.
“The school holidays are a great time for kids and pets alike, as it’s when they get to play together and bond the most,” explains Mark Jackson, co-founder of pet supply retailer Pet Hamper. Dogs, however, might suffer if they are unexpectedly left alone without the means to cope, just as kids return to school, where they are reconnected with old acquaintances and kept busy in the classroom.
Fortunately, a family may take a lot of different steps to keep their pets amused and content and to lessen the stress of significant changes to their daily lives.
The best advice from Pet Hamper on keeping pets content at home alone
Create a fresh, pet-friendly schedule.
Even if your family may have less free time after the kids go back to school, remember your pet’s requirements as well. For example, schedule regular walks before or after school to make sure your pet is still getting the exercise and quality time with you that they require. A morning stroll with your dog or some games with your cat helps them feel good and gets them ready for the day. the new regimen early on
A sudden change in habit might be unpleasant, but by making modest adjustments, you can ease your pet into it. If you need to adjust the length of a routine stroll, for instance, do it 15 minutes at a time.
By introducing the concept to your pet while you are still at home, you may also get them ready for spending time alone. Encourage your pet to spend time alone in a different room, first for brief intervals and then for longer lengths of time.
Use toys as a motivator and rewards like cookies.
Top tip: Toys like the Bolt Bite, Twist Toss, and Tennis Tumble are made expressly to help pets avoid boredom. For more information, visit pethamper.co.uk/wild-one-bolt-bite-tan, wild-one-twist-toss-tan, and wild-one-tennis-tumble-navy. Despite having straightforward designs, they exhibit unpredictable behavior and are a ton of fun for solo play.
Be cautious at night.
You might have to walk your dog in the evening even though it is colder and darker than previously because the house is empty during the day.
Your pet may find this to be a significant transition as well and may be more easily frightened, therefore it is advisable to have them on a lead at all times.
You should wear very visible, even reflective apparel, as well as your dog. Don’t forget to dress warmly, and if your dog is a smaller breed that needs it, do the same.
Try to adhere to routine walks because your dog will appreciate the familiarity. Bring a torch on your walk to ensure that you can both see the way.
Come autumn, you’ll also need to pay more attention to the environment. If your dog tries to eat conkers, acorns, mushrooms, or other noxious objects concealed within piles of leaves, they could get hurt.
Make sure that nothing outside is too stimulating for your dog.
When there is a lot of activity outside, the uneasiness brought on by an empty house may be made worse. Don’t forget to leave the lights on, or at the very least, set a timer for them, if you’re going to be home after dark.
On the other hand, having a window with a view of the outside can be beneficial for pet cats. Make sure they have a secure perch from which to observe nature.
Best practice: Slow feeders are an entertaining method to give both dogs and cats rewards and have been proved to lessen anxiety, boredom, and destructive behavior. Your pet will be happy knowing that it can feed itself throughout the day if you fill it full in the morning.
But make sure your pet is entertained by giving it a lot of activities. If you provide toys for your pet to play with, they’ll have an easier time killing time on their own. A wide range of things in the Pet Hamper are made precisely to stimulate your pet’s thinking.
By switching up the toys you leave out each day, you’ll gain the most advantage from this strategy because your pet will enjoy the variety.
According to a 2012 study published in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior, classical music might help people feel less stressed, and cats love nature-themed TV shows.
Top tip: Our contemporary treat puzzles and dog treat filler toys help engage your dog’s thinking and reward them with treats throughout the day (https://pethamper.co.uk/modern-dog-treat-puzzle-toy-slate-grey/ and https://pethamper.co.uk/modern-dog-treat-filler-toy-pink-blue/).
We provide a variety of snacks that have been carefully prepared to give cats, dogs, and puppies all the nourishment they require.
Keep your dog clean and tidy.
Your dog will develop a thicker coat when the temperature drops. While this is practical for keeping your pet warm, it can also attract bugs and bacteria, which can lead to skin problems. Increase the frequency with which you brush your pet to prevent matting and to keep them warm, cozy, and clean.
The best advice is to shop at Pet Hamper for a variety of grooming supplies for both dogs and cats, including shampoos, brushes, and balms made especially for happy, healthy pets.
Please your pet.
Remember that your dog is only puzzled and terrified if you come home to an agitated dog or even if your dog creates a mess.
Don’t be angry with your pet, don’t hit him or her, and don’t think that the stress will go away on its own. The RSPCA cautions that these will simply exacerbate the situation and overload your dog with stress hormones that may have detrimental, long-term repercussions on his physical and mental health.
Take your dog to the vet who may be able to recommend a specialist if they are having trouble managing even with these strategies.
When you get home, provide your pet some love.
You and your family will have had a full day of activities and interaction at work and school, but your pet will have had significantly fewer of these than usual. Spending time with them when you get home and organizing activities with them during your leisure time, such as the weekends, might help make up for this.
“It is inevitable that routines will need to change throughout the year, but we understand our pets today more than ever before, and there are plenty of actions we can take to lessen the stress this causes to our animals,” says Mark Jackson, co-founder of pet supply retailer Pet Hamper.
“Experts from all over the world are constantly creating novel and inventive treats, toys, and other things to maintain the health and happiness of our dogs and cats. It is possible to maintain our pets’ happiness and fulfillment by being aware of their wants and requirements and making a few minor adjustments.