Your Back-to-School Guide to Calm Pets and New Routines!
Summer's easy, everyone's-home rhythm is winding down as we prep for family members to return to school or the office for our favorite teachers, and pets feel that shift as much as us humans do!
Things like restlessness, clinginess, and extra energy can all come with schedule and routine changes whether it's back-to-school, or pet-pawrents starting a new job where they're home less. Preparing ahead for the new routine can make a huge difference in how everyone is able to adjust! Here are some tips on how to manage the transition, plus what to look for if daycare or a new groomer is part of the back-to-school plan.
🐱 Ease Into the New Routine
A sudden jump from full houses to empty ones can trigger real stress. Get ahead of it with a gradual approach:
Start the new schedule at least a week early, so there's time to ease into the new schedule and troubleshoot any bumps in the road.
Practice short departures and slowly build up to a full day.
Keep goodbyes and hellos low-key rather than emotional.
Set up a consistent safe space like a crate, bed, or quiet room.
💡 Tip: Signs like destructive chewing, nonstop vocalizing, or house-training accidents can point to more than typical adjustment. Give us a call to schedule an appointment to talk about separation anxiety.
🧩 Keep Them Busy While You're Out
A pet who has spent mental engergy settles faster. A few easy ways to keep them engaged:
Puzzle feeders and things like peanut butter Kong toys turn downtime into a satisfying task.
Rotating toys periodically helps to keep their novelty alive.
A slow sniff walk before you leave burns more mental energy than a brisk one.
Window perches and sunny lookout spots give cats something to watch, but be sure all perches and windows are well secured.
Background noise like a TV or radio can take the edge off a silent house. (We love the Bob Ross channel!)
💡 Tip: Introduce any new toy or feeder while you're home, so you know what they like and it's already familiar by the time your pet relies on it solo.
🐶 Vetting a New Daycare
A great option for pets who don't like being home alone or really benefit from burning of a lot of energy during the day is doggy-daycare! Before enrolling, a little research goes a long way. Look for:
A clean, secure facility with groups separated by size or energy level. Ideally, you can get a full tour of the facility.
Clear vaccine, fecal test, and health requirements for ALL pets.
Reasonable staff-to-pet ratios - a widely accepted standard in the pet care industry is 1 to 10.
Staff members have pet first aid and animal behavior certifications.
A clear emergency plan, ideally with a nearby veterinary relationship.
Live webcams or a trial day, so you can see how your pet does firsthand.
💡 Tip: Fear Free now offers certifications for pet daycare professionals. This training helps the professionals ensure that they're thoughtful in every interaction with boarding and daycare pets, from greetings to kennel introductions to overexuberance or shyness.
💅 Vetting a New Groomer
We all love a new back-to-school look, so why not do the same for your pet?! The same care applies to picking a groomer for that fresh school-year look:
Experience with your pet's breed or coat type.
A calm, clean facility with reasonable noise levels.
A patient approach to anxious pets, with a willingness to pause if needed.
Pet-safe products, especially if your pet has skin sensitivities.
A plan for handling emergencies during an appointment.
💡 Tip: Start with a simple bath or nail trim as a low-pressure way to test the fit before booking a full groom. It's all about baby-steps with nervous pets!
Call us now or click the button below to schedule a visit if you'd like to discuss new signs of separation anxiety in your pet, or if you are in need of vaccines or fecal testing for your new daycare. We hope you have a smooth back-to-school season with your WHOLE family!
Special Note: Our online pharmacy makes ordering prevention seamless with no need to upload prescriptions. We have direct access to requests which lowers wait times allows us to make sure what you've selected is right for your pet!
