Back to School and Your Pet
Back to school is always a crazy time for parents. From gathering school supplies to coordinating pick ups and drop offs, there’s a lot of work that goes into making sure our kids are ready for the first day of school! However, for pet parents who work and can’t do so from home, it’s just as important that we’re taking the necessary steps to ensure our fur babies will be comfortable at home once the kids head back to school. After a summer filled with days of play, some pets may have a hard time adjusting to spending their days at home alone. Luckily, with a bit of preparation, there are ways to keep your pet happy and comfortable!
Dog Walker
Consider hiring a dog walker for when your kids return to school to help your dog adjust to the change. Not only will this provide them with interaction during the day that they are likely craving, but it’s also a great opportunity for them to get exercise while you’re away! If you're considering hiring a dog walker, check out our partner Rover!
Fountains and Feeders
A pet water fountain can help ensure your pet has access to clean, fresh drinking water while you’re away. The PetKit Pet Fountain features a unique water flow design, encouraging your cat or dog to take a drink and stay hydrated. With a triple purifying system, the Petkit Pet Fountain effectively screens impurities, reduces chlorine and removes heavy metal ions from your pet’s drinking water.
Working with a convenient smart phone app, the PetKit Fresh Element Smart Pet Feeder allows you to feed your cat or dog remotely! You can choose to pre-schedule feeding times and your pet will be fed automatically, or you can do so manually at any time through the app.
Toys
If your dog or cat is used to having your kids at home to play with during the day, toys can help keep them distracted and make the back to school transition a bit easier. As some toys aren't suitable for unsupervised use, be sure to read and follow all instructions.
Made from a bouncy, rubber material, the KONG Classic features a hollow center that can be stuffed with your dog’s favourite treats. Helping to satisfy your canine companion’s natural instincts, the KONG Classic is also available in Extreme, Puppy and Senior varieties to suit any pooch!
For your feline friend, there are many toys infused with catnip that can encourage them to play. Available in adorable assorted designs, Wild Time Just Catnip Pillows are packed full of catnip and are sure to keep your cat busy as they swat at these lightweight pillows! Scratchers can help encourage appropriate scratching behaviour in your feline friend and keep them occupied throughout the day. Many scratchers have reversible surfaces to provide your cat with double the fun, and a lot are infused with catnip to motivate your cat to play!
Calming Products
While toys can help ease your companion’s boredom once your kids return to school, they might not be as effective if your dog or cat is experiencing separation anxiety. If you suspect that they are, it’s a good idea to consult with your veterinarian to determine how to handle the situation. Depending on your veterinarian’s advice, consider using a calming product to help ease their anxiety and help them feel more comfortable at home alone.
Thundershirts offer a dramatic calming effect which relieves many types of anxiety, including separation, in most dogs and cats. The design produces a gentle, calming pressure when worn and requires no training at all – just place the Thundershirt on your pet and observe the results! Working alongside the brain’s neurotransmitters, the special blend of essential oils released by the Pet Remedy Calming Diffuser helps calm the nerves of anxious or stressed dogs. Simply plug in the diffuser and let the destressing properties slowly release into the surrounding area.
Doggie Daycare
If your dog does not appear to be adjusting well to your kids going back to school, consider enrolling them in a doggie daycare. Not only will your mind be at ease knowing they are being watched over and cared for during the day, but it’s a great opportunity for your dog to socialize with other pups! Depending on the dog daycare you choose, they may even teach your furry friend some new tricks!
