Barks & Purrs Blog
We love animals – and know how much you love yours!

Back to School for Pets

back-to-school
Summer break is over, the kids are back to school, and we’re all doing our best to get back into a regular routine. We know this adjustment can be tough for us humans, but we can’t forget this can be a difficult change for our pets as well. Here are a few tips to make the “back to school” transition a little easier on our furry family members.
  • Decide on a routine that includes the pets. Set aside some time in the morning and the evening specifically for the pets. Feeding, walks, and playtime should all be scheduled around the same time each day. Your pet will feel comforted that he’s part of the routine and won’t feel he’s being forgotten in the chaos of a busy day.
  • Keep them entertained. If you have the option of daycare or a dog walker, that’s great! If your pet is at home alone during the day, a quiet house can feel strange, especially after the summer months. Try leaving on the TV or radio at a low volume, as your pet may be comforted by soothing music or the sound of human voices.
  • Treat them to a new toy. With a lack of activity, pets can get bored and sometimes destructive. Treat your pet to a new toy that can keep them occupied when they don’t have someone to play with. Rotate a selection of safe toys that will keep your pet occupied.
  • Beware of backpack dangers. If you’re a parent, you know kids like to leave their backpacks all around the house. We know you don’t love this, but your pets do! Pets are often snooping in our bags to look for anything that could serve as a new toy or treat. A child’s backpack is often filled with potential poisons to pets. For example: crayons and coloured pencils, gum, grapes and raisins, cold packs used to keep lunches cold, and inhalers and medications. Be mindful to keep backpacks away from pets so they’re not tempted to snoop around.
Follow these steps for an A+ on that back to school transition!