So many things have changed due to the coronavirus outbreak and one of those things is how much time we’re all spending at home. Whilst working from home may be a challenge for us, it’s been a huge blessing for our pets who are now spending hours and hours a day being fussed, playing and getting the attention they love with so many people now at home. This is, however, something that could cause issues further down the line when lockdown is lifted, and we start to go back to normality. The following tips have been gathered to help you make sure your pet is happy and healthy after lockdown and how to prepare them for spending a little more time alone.
How Dogs Will be Affected
Whilst cats are very independent animals, dogs are much needier and more reliant on constant attention. After a few months of spending lots of quality time with their owners, dogs are most at risk for becoming stressed and unsettled once this new normal changes. The past few months will have formed a new routine for your dog, so it’s important to remember this and do what you can to make sure they don’t feel abandoned and left alone once you start to ease back into your old routine. The most likely issues you’ll face with your dog is them developing separation anxiety, which can lead to your dog becoming destructive or behaving poorly. In order to avoid this and keep your dog as healthy and happy as you can, you need to put certain measures into place to start prepping ahead of post-lockdown.
Slow Training
One of the best ways to handle any potential anxiety or stress for your pet is to start to slowly train them to adapt to the new routine. For example, start spending a couple of hours (when you can) out of the house to ease your pet back into spending time alone. It may not seem like it’s important but giving your pet time alone will help them slowly come to terms with it and give them chance to get used to being alone for a little while. Don’t leave them for too long at first, start with short bursts and ease into longer periods as you progress through the training. Similarly, try to start walking your dog at old walk times, for example you may go back to walking your dog in the morning and evening, so be sure to eliminate any additional daily walks that they won’t receive once lockdown is over, as these will feel like part of their routine that’s been taken away if you don’t.
Keeping Them Calm
Both cats and dogs can suffer from anxiety, stress and depression and when their routine changes this can prompt this to kick in. If you’re concerned that your pet may be experiencing these already, or you simply want to prevent this from happening, look at introducing a calming diffuser to your home. You may have heard of the popular Adaptil and Feliway calming diffusers, as they are must-haves in many households, as they help to create a calm and comforting environment for your pet. You can find them online here, and all you do is simply plug them in to the necessary room and let them get to work. If you find that they work to help keep your pet calm, it’s worth using them throughout the transition to your new routine to ensure your pet is as happy and calm as possible.
Fuss Them
We all love to cuddle and play with our pets, but it’s never been a more important time to show them the love and affection they need. Once you start to slowly ease back into your old routine, remember to give your pet extra attention and love to make them feel comfortable and safe. From an exciting new toy to some tasty treats (and plenty of cuddles) you can treat your pet to something new to give them something to enjoy and play with whilst you’re at work.
