Preparing Pets For Back To School: Are They Ready?

School starting back is a big time for every house. Bedtimes change, schedules change, attitudes about being back in school change. One thing we don’t think about is how it will affect the dog. You can prepare your pets for back to school.

If their routine is about to change start them off a few days prior while everyone is still home. If your pet is going to go from being let out every 2 hours and hanging out outside with everyone is staying in one area for hours at one time, it’s a good idea to adjust them over a period of days.

With Covid’s big changes, pet anxiety will be high when everything starts going back to normal. Or a comparative to what use to be normal. When we do get the signal and start going back to a normal school routine, we need to prepare the pet’s for what is about to change.

Preparing Pets For Back To School

If your routine slowly transitions back to normal then more than likely your pups will be just fine, but you know them best. If they have a lot of anxiety. Talk with your Veterinarian on short term medication to give to help with their anxiety.

Where are they going to stay?

Depending on what your pet was used to before Summer vacation, they may be fine with just staying in the house. If they’re a new puppy that doesn’t know any different than you all being home, they may need some transitioning.

Will they be confined to one area while everyone is gone? Will they be in a crate? Adjust them early to avoid separation anxiety. Maybe even look into a local doggy daycare a couple of times a week.

Bathroom Habits

How often is your pet having to go out to use the bathroom and how often will they be home alone before someone can let them out? What works best for your pet? A doggy door so they can go in and out as they please, puppy pads, or can someone come let them out throughout the day?

Separation Anxiety

If your family has already started back to school and you’ve come home to a destroyed house or a more than panicked pup you may be looking at separation anxiety.

There are a few items you can try before having to result to anti-anxiety medications from your Veterinarian.

Adaptil Calming Diffuser

CBD Oil

Anxiety Chews

There are also Anxiety Wraps, but I don’t recommend those for separation anxiety. They should be worn with supervision. They work best for storms, fireworks, or if you live near a military base.