When school gets started, the kids aren’t the only ones who might have nerves and separation anxiety. After your home has been busy all summer, you might see separation anxiety in pets and struggle with everything being quiet for most of the day. Once school starts, pets usually lose several hours of attention, play, outdoor time, and companionship with little warning.
Some pets adjust quickly to the change, but many show signs of distress when the household schedule changes significantly. Help your pets get comfortable with the new routine by preparing them before school starts. Here’s how to get started.
Start Changing the Routine Before the First Day of School
There’s no need to wait until the first school morning to introduce your pets to an entirely new schedule. Make some adjustments about one to two weeks before school starts by gradually changing their activities:
- Breakfast
- Morning walks
- Bathroom breaks
- Medication
- Rehabilitation exercises
- Playtime
- Evening meals
Your family can get involved by spending short periods of time in different rooms, outside, or running errands so your pets get used to not having as much attention. You should also avoid moving forward too quickly. Leaving your distressed pet alone for longer than they can handle can make their anxiety worse instead of helping them adjust.
Observe How Your Pet Acts Before You Leave
Dogs and cats quickly learn your routine and the signals that you’re about to leave, from packing lunches to putting on shoes, finding keys, and opening the garage. Keep an eye on your pets and watch for signs of anxiety, including:
- Following family members from room to room
- Pacing
- Panting
- Trembling
- Hiding
- Drooling
- Whining or barking
- Trying to block the door
- Refusing a normally exciting treat
You can help your pets settle their nerves by practicing some of your most common departure cues without actually leaving, like carrying a backpack around the house. You can also vary the order of the morning tasks so your pet doesn’t associate one activity with everyone leaving for the day.
Know the Difference Between Boredom and Separation Anxiety in Pets
Keep in mind that signs of boredom and separation anxiety can look similar, but aren’t the same. Bored pets usually look for entertainment but still eat, rest, play, and settle. Separation anxiety usually involves genuine distress from being left alone or separated from a specific person. Signs of separation anxiety in pets may include:
- Persistent barking, whining, or howling
- Destruction around doors or windows
- Attempts to escape
- Indoor urination or defecation despite being house-trained
- Continuous pacing
- Heavy panting or drooling
- Refusing food until the family returns
- Frantic greetings
Cats also have their own distress cues, including excessive meowing, overgrooming, hiding, and changes in eating. You can also set up a pet camera to see whether or not your pet is okay after a few minutes or upset all day.
Give Your Pet Something to Do After Everyone Leaves
Pets need some structure to their day and something to look forward to while everyone is out. Schedule a dog walker, have a neighbor stop by and play, or leave approved toys for them to enjoy when you leave. Food-stuffed toys, puzzle feeders, and hidden treats for scent work can all make your pets feel more positive about being left alone.
Keep Departures and Returns Calm
Keep your goodbyes short and returns calm to avoid over-stimulating your pet. Use a brief, steady tone that isn’t full of sorrow about everyone leaving. You should also greet your pet calmly and let them settle down before beginning highly exciting play. Remember that punishing your dog for something they did during the day, like destroying a pillow, isn’t something they learn from and could make their fear worse.
Back-to-School Pet Anxiety FAQs
1. Why is my dog acting anxious now that the kids are back at school?
Your dog may act nervous after a sudden loss of companionship with family members or a major change in its daily routine. Suddenly being thrown into a routine of earlier meals, quieter afternoons, longer absences, and different walk times can all contribute to their stress.
2. How can I prepare my dog to be alone when school starts?
Start practicing a return to the school schedule before it actually begins. Adjust meals and walks gradually, leave for short periods, offer a fun enrichment activity, and increase your time away as your dog shows they can remain calm.
3. What are the signs of separation anxiety in dogs?
Some of the common signs of separation anxiety include pacing, panting, drooling, barking, howling, destructive behavior, accidents indoors, escape attempts, and refusing food until someone comes home. These kinds of symptoms are more likely to happen before departure or soon after the owner leaves.
4. Can cats have separation anxiety when children return to school?
Yes, cats can also have separation anxiety when school starts. You might notice they’re more vocal, hide, eat differently, eliminate outside the litter box, overgroom, or act unusually clingy when the routine changes.
5. Should I leave the television on for my dog while I’m gone?
Background sound can help some dogs, especially if they’re accustomed to hearing people and lots of activity in the home, but it doesn’t treat true separation anxiety in pets. It works better as one part of a plan that includes gradual practice, enrichment, exercise, and professional help when needed.
Get Help for Your Pets with CARA
Make sure your back-to-school preparation includes your pet, and not just a focus on school supplies and family schedules. A little practice, enrichment, routine, and observation can make the transition easier on everyone. If you need more tips for your pets, or want to schedule a check-up or rehabilitation appointment,, schedule an appointment at CARA.
