How to prep your pets for post-pandemic living

Many pet owners have been working remotely for the last year alongside their four-legged coworkers. With life starting to get back to normal, Canadians will be returning to the office and spending more leisure time out of the house, which means there’s bound to be an adjustment period for dogs and cats who’ve grown accustomed to having their pet parents at home full-time.

[Photo Credit: Eva]

If you wonder how to leave a puppy alone or how to prevent a kitten from getting lonely, here are a few things for responsible pet owners to keep in mind when helping their furry friends adjust to their new normal.

1. Determine how long you can leave
Dogs are highly social animals so the answer to how long can you leave a puppy alone depends on their development stage. Young pups that require a lot of companionship – and frequent bathroom breaks – shouldn’t be left by themselves for extended periods of time. As a general rule, you can calculate how many hours you can leave a dog home alone based on its age in months – three months old means three hours of alone time. How long can you leave a kitten alone? That also depends on their maturity. While adult cats are fine with hours of solitude, young felines will become lonely and mischievous when left by themselves too early.  Kittens under four months old require human contact every four to six hours, but cats older than six months can be left alone for the entire workday.

2. Help your pet practice being alone
Giving a young puppy or kitten unrestricted access to you can encourage overdependence. Before you head back to work full-time, train your animals to spend time by themselves without becoming anxious or stressed. Periodically confine your furry friend in a crate or separate area of the house so that they get used to your absence. Check in on them at regular intervals to ensure they’re okay and reward them with special toys or treats for good behaviour.

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Make sure your pets are in good health before heading back to the office.
Let YP connect you with local Veterinarians to check up on your furry friends.

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3. Create a cozy space
Create a comfortable and clean environment for your pet with a soft bed and plenty of food, water and snacks set out for the duration of your absence. Remove houseplants, electrical cords, and any breakable or hazardous items that might cause damage. And make sure you have a pee pad or a litter box on hand that is easily accessible.

4. Leave quietly
When it’s time to head out the door, depart in a calm and quiet manner. This will help cut down on your pets’ separation anxiety…and your own! Lavishing your pooch or kitty with over-the-top displays of love and affection right before you head out will set them up for a day of disappointment.

5. Keep your pets entertained
Stave off boredom by providing your pet with plenty of distractions to keep them occupied. Leave them playthings like chew toys stuffed with treats, a scratching post, or catnip toys. Turning on a radio or television can also provide them with a reassuring sense of companionship.

6. Check in on them
If you’re really concerned about leaving your puppy or kitten alone, invest in a smart two-way monitoring device like the Furbo dog camera or the Skymee Owl Robot, so you can check in on them virtually. These high-tech pet cameras even allow you to dispense treats remotely throughout the day.