It’s that time of year again: back to school! While you and your kids may be looking forward to a new fall routine, your pet might be flustered by sudden changes to their schedule. This year’s back-to-school changes might be even more drastic as we come out of our pandemic bubbles.
When a family’s schedule changes and familiar faces suddenly disappear for hours, it can cause a great deal of distress in your pet. Here are some simple tips to help your pet ease into the new routine.
Plan Ahead and Practice the New Routine
Just like people, pets thrive on routine. By helping your furry companion anticipate the schedule throughout the day, you can eliminate unwanted stress and anxiety. Practice your new routine so your pet can get used to the changes when school actually starts. Feed your pet at the same time each day. Take your furry pal on a walk each morning or evening, and incorporate some playtime. Plan your new schedule before school begins and reserve your pet’s care in advance with our user-friendly online access, Care Central. If your dog will be attending Doggy Daycare at the Pet Resort, make sure you make arrangements ahead of time to ensure availability.
Exercise, and play!
A tired pet is a happy pet, and the way to accomplish that is exercise! Before you leave for the day, play a game of fetch with your pup or take her for a walk. Cats enjoy playtime, too, especially with a laser pointer. At Pet and Home Care, we provide a variety of services including in-home pet visits to ensure your furry pals are taken care of and get the exercise they need.
Set It and Forget It!
With your new schedule, you’ll want to make sure your pet’s care is covered well in advance. Our user-friendly Care Central helps you easily schedule your services, update instructions, and manage your billing. You can set up recurring services without the hassle of requesting daily just by contacting our office. This is a great feature for those who have the same schedule each week! It is the fastest and most reliable way to guarantee all of your Pet and Home Care needs. Visit us online or give us a call at (301) PET-CARE to learn more about our pawsome pet care services! For busy pet parents, we also offer walks and in-home visits as early as 7 am and as late as 9 pm, daily!
Stay Calm and Use Natural Aid
It can be unsettling leaving a pet behind when you are ready to head out for the day. This is especially true if your pet just joined your family over the pandemic. Talk to your family about the importance of remaining calm as they leave for the day; after all, your pet is likely to feel the same way and will be more likely to accept the change in routine. PHC’s Pleasant Pet hemp oil is the perfect natural remedy to help your pets feel their best during stressful changes and features just four ingredients—organic cold-pressed hemp seed oil, organic broad-spectrum hemp oil, sunflower lecithin, and a blend of terpenes. The Pleasant Pet is formulated and produced by Fingerboard Farm—one of Maryland’s first woman-owned hemp farms. We recommend using The Pleasant Pet hemp oil at least 30 minutes before a disruptive event occurs.
Distractions Can Work Wonders
If you are gone most of each school day, you may want to consider doggy daycare at the Pet Resort. This will give your pup a chance to socialize and play! Another great option is having one of our dedicated pet sitters stop by to take your pet on a long walk during the afternoons. Summer days are usually filled with activity and noise, and sudden quiet can leave your furry friend feeling anxious. Turning on some music or talk radio while you are gone can make your kitty or pup feel not so alone.