Returning to work?
TIPS TO EASE SEPARATION ANXIETY By Elizabeth Parker
W
hile this pandemic has been a stressful time for us all, there are some little critters who have been enjoying the company of their family. Our pets! If you have dogs, they may have been spoiled with a few more walks, some new toys and additional snuggle time on the couch while you caught up on the latest Netflix television show binges or old movies that you’ve missed. If you have cats, well, they may have acted as if they didn’t enjoy the crowd too much, but deep down, they were happy to have the company! Who else can they sneak up on if you weren’t home? Either way, schedules might have shifted, feeding times might have changed a little and overall, new habits and routines were formed. Now that many people are going back to work, this means a whole new world for your pets. They understand a lot, but they might not understand the sudden shift in schedules again and wonder where their playmates are, especially when they had such a good time during all of this! They most likely enjoyed the new 8
family dynamics and in their little furry minds, figured this would be their way of life forever.
Begin NEW Routines
Thus, they may not appreciate the fact that “normal” life is going to start again and their companions won’t be home quite as often. Let’s face it; for those of us who are going to start leaving the house more often, we will miss our pets just as much! For our pets, however, this change could mean a bit of separation anxiety, even in pets that have never exhibited that kind of behavior in the past. So, what can we do to alleviate that stress for them? There are a few things you can do to ease them into the process. If you were walking them more frequently during the day, perhaps start lessening those walks now, or change the times that you are taking those walks so they get used to a new routine. One that is just as favorable, perhaps just a little different. If you can, leave the house for short periods of time without them. They will soon realize that you are indeed coming back. Extend the duration of
Las Vegas Pet Scene Magazine • July/August 2020
return!
your absences little by little. This will assure them that even if you are gone longer than normal, they can expect you to
Begin new routines. Perhaps give them a new toy every few days. Get their feeding schedule back to normal. If possible, have someone check on them during the day so that they know they aren’t alone for long. This doesn’t have to be done forever, but during the first few weeks, it can be very helpful. Baby steps go a long way into easing your pets into the old way of life; one where their family won’t be home with them quite as often!
Be sure to give them plenty of attention when you are home. If you can set new routines that are just as favorable, their anxiety might not be quite as bad!
Elizabeth Parker – Author of Finally Home, Final Journey, My Dog Does That!, Bark Out Loud!, Paw Prints in the Sand, Paw Prints in the Sand: Mission Accomplished, Unwanted Dreams, Phobia, Evil’s Door and Faces of Deception.
Available on Amazon.com!
