Back to school is hard on pets

It’s mind boggling to realize most schools in our area start this upcoming week. It wasn’t too long ago we were celebrating the end of the school year and now it’s time for the school bell.

Parents are getting kids’ school supplies and new clothes. Carpools are being arranged. Backpacks are being filled and everybody’s getting ready for the new school year.

While the focus is on the new academic year, please don’t forget your fur baby. Our lives are disrupted, too, when school starts.

The kids who have been our constant companions all summer are now gone all day. Not only do the kids go to school during the day, then they go to music lessons, dance lessons, football practice, I mean, the list goes on.

When they finally come home, they race to eat supper and start homework. Pets are left behind and perplexed as to what happened.

Now the house is very quiet during the day. It’s very lonely and many pets grieve.

When pets experience a big transition like this they can become nervous and suffer from separation anxiety. Sometimes when they’re left alone, they may even become destructive and tear up a sofa or chair out of sheer fear of being alone.

But there are things you can do to help pets through the transition. You can shower them with affection and help them understand even though the schedule changed they are still a treasured part of the family.

First of all, spend a little time before school to exercise your pet. Throw the ball outside or take him for a walk and try to tire them out.

Then when you head to school leave soothing music playing or turn on the television for them. Dog TV channel is designed to entertain pets while the house is empty and is a great option.

Also, show them school items, such as lunch boxes and backpacks. Show them anything the child will need to get ready for school. The pet will learn those items mean their buddy is getting ready to go. And help them watch for their favorite kid’s return home in the afternoon so they’ll know when they leave in the morning they will come back home.

Please don’t leave pets unsupervised in the fence outside only to watch their little friend walk from the house to the school bus. Many a loyal dog has climbed or dug out of his fence to chase a school bus carrying that precious cargo.

So safely inside would be the best place for pets to be who may fear their playmates have abandoned them. Becoming acquainted with a spacious crate may be a great option for dogs and cats inside the house. Have a comfy bed inside the crate and before long, the pet will view it has his own personal space.

One of the greatest tips to aid in back to school adjustment is when the child returns home from school that he takes his furry buddy out of the crate and into the fenced backyard for some serious play. Running, playing, rolling, throwing — any way to let the pet know when he sees his buddy come home from school wonderful things will happen.

Please make a special effort during back to school time to give your fur babies special attention, affection and loads of exercise. Please reassure them that they still hold a place of value in your family.

This story was originally published July 26, 2017 at 7:55 PM with the headline "Back to school is hard on pets."