Managing Pet Separation Anxiety When Returning to Work & School

3. Create a New Feeding Schedule

An essential step in learning how to ease pet separation anxiety is to adjust the mealtime routine. When you're home often, it's easy to get into a pet food groove of more frequent feedings and additional snacks. But what happens when you're out and about again?

Because dogs and cats are creatures of habit, abrupt changes in mealtimes can compound stress, so try to ease back into a structured feeding pattern. Generally speaking, dogs’ mealtimes are twice a day — once in the morning and once in the evening. A cat's meal routine depends on how they're fed; cats with self-feeders won't require much change, if any, but cats on a feeding schedule will. As with any changes to a pet's diet, a slow transition is best. Speak with your veterinarian about ways to modify your pet's mealtimes with the least amount of stress. Before going back to work or school, take inventory of what you have on hand and stock up on what you'll need.

This will prevent any last-minute "we're out of food!" moments, which can add to your own stress.

4. Create a Comfort Zone

While you're away from home, your pets will seek out spots where they feel safe and secure.Been on the couch a lot lately? One great tip for how to leave your dog home alone and how to stop pet separation anxiety is to keep that comfy spot in place while you're gone. The PDSA also recommends setting up a safe space just for your dog, using a crate or an enclosed space in a quiet part of the house where your dog won’t be disturbed. Turn their space into a “doggy den” with pillows and blankets, stock it with their favourite toys and treats, and leave the door open so that they don’t feel “locked in” or trapped.

Cats love to hide in small, dark spaces, whether or not their pet parents are home.Cupboards and boxes make great, secure cat fortresses. Turn these spaces into a comfy cat bed with blankets, pillows or towels. You can also include a jumper or another piece of clothing that smells like you, so your furry friend will feel like they’re snuggling with you!

5. Provide Enrichment

One way pets release their anxiety is through destructive behaviour.

Boredom while home alone is a key trigger for this conduct in dogs, say animal behaviour researchers in the United Kingdom, not only because they miss their humans but also because they're frustrated. This frustration leads them to dig up or chew on anything available.Many cats are like this, too, and they might even act out their frustration on their human's couch fabric or a roll of toilet paper.

The best way to keep boredom at bay is with enrichment activities that engage your pet while you're gone. Playing music and pet-centric television shows can be comforting to animals, reducing their sense of loneliness. The Battersea Dogs Home recommends dog enrichment toys like snuffle mats, treat balls and search games to give dogs an appropriate outlet for their mental energy.You could also fill a shallow container (a small pool or storage bin) to create a ball pit!You can keep your cat busy with food puzzles to satisfy their curiosity, catnip toys for prey or even apps to engage their hunting instinct (they love chasing around electronic fish).

Pet parents and pets will require time and patience during this adjustment period. But by using best practices regarding how to stop pet separation anxiety, staying tuned in to your furry friend's needs and showing them lots of love, you can make the transition back into a "normal" schedule a whole lot easier.