5 Tips to Help Your Pets Before Exploring the World Again
1. With you in the house, a radio or tv may be on; voices heard over zoom, the computer or phone may be heard. A washer, dryer or dishwasher running. The house settling, dishes shifting in a cupboard due to outside vibrations and external noises while not out of the ordinary can impact your pets in a silent home. To your animal friends just you not being in the home feels different.
Playing music in the background will go a long way to help them feel less alone.
Dogs and many cats are very social in their own way and those that were not before having become so. It is important to offer them the interaction and companionship during the day that they are craving. For days you will be out of the house overnights, I would suggest 3 visits a day for dogs and 2 visits per day for cats.
2. Pets who did not ever before bark or howl outside at the neighbors during the day or night may look for someone to connect and talk with in your absence.
Getting them outside for an early morning walk to burn off some energy may help them nap during the time you are gone and less want to entertain the neighborhood. A walk outside their territory exposes them and their nose to new scents, paths and gives them something to look forward to with you or the person caring for them in your absence.
3. In my experience as a pet companion to these beings while pet parents have been away, all of these have occurred to some degree. Both dogs and cats struggle with being alone after months of having you sometimes 24/7 in their lives.
I have become hyper aware of the sounds inside and out to acknowledge what I am hearing, offer them the understanding of what it is as well as provide comfort to them.
Whomever is watching or visiting with your pets in your absence may need to come more frequently versus less in the beginning until you not being there becomes a new normal for them. Acclimating does not happen overnight for them – it did not for us either.
Many pets in solo pet households during my visits over the past several months have wanted to nap when I am there as they have had interrupted sleep patterns without you there and with all the noises. They know I will watch over them and their house while they rest. Reiterating that point to them is important so they hear it from the person checking in with them.
4. What can you do to assist them before going back into a physical office or on a trip?
Begin slowly integrating times in the day that you are not there. Even going outside for a walk around the block where you begin with 15 minutes and increase it over time can begin the process in reducing their anxiousness about being alone and not having you with them.
5. Telling them what time you will be back will also assist them. Sharing with them that the daily schedule will be changing and letting them know what it is several times before it officially begins will allow them to ease into it versus having them react with behavioral changes to a sudden shift. Being patient if they do act out is key during this time as well. If leaving for an overnight, telling them how many sunrises until your return with ease their anxiety.
