A lot has changed with our day-to-day patterns since the pandemic began a year ago, and studies have even found the pandemic strengthened the bond between humans and their pets. In fact, more than 90% of respondents in a University of York study said their pet helped them cope emotionally with the lockdown.
As much as we’re all ready for things to feel more normal, there’s plenty of anxiety and prep that goes through our minds as we find our way out of this COVID-era. When it comes time to return to offices, events and social gatherings, we’ll be spending less time at home, and more time away from our pets, so it’s important we think of ways to ease the transition back to normal. Here are several tips to help make those adjustments as smooth as possible for our furry friends:
- Understand every pet will be different.
The level of stress an animal will feel will depend on the animal’s individual personality. People frequently underestimate the cat-human bond compared to the dog-human bond, but we know cats also have a strong bond with us. As with any change, it’s in the best interest of our pets to prepare for these changes to routines in advance. Aim for consistency so your dog or cat can manage the transition well. - Test out the new routine in advance.
Try to mimic the new schedule for yourself and your pet in advance. Wake up, feed your pet and leave the house at the same time you would when going to work. And take it slow – you can start your schedule a little earlier every day to make the process gradual and easier for your pet to adjust. - Don’t succumb to overemotional hellos or goodbyes.
Pets will pick up on it. Calm greetings and departures are always best. To help with goodbyes, have a toy or treat ready several minutes ahead of time to distract them when you are leaving for extended periods of time. The same goes for your return home. We’re naturally inclined to show our pets how much we missed them, but if we’re too exuberant, it can make our pets too excited and always looking forward to our return - Be patient.
We use a 3/3/3 rule of thumb with adopting animals into your home – it takes 3 days for new pets to decompress when you first bring them home, 3 weeks to learn the routine of the house and 3 months to feel fully integrated into the new home. Think of a transition to normal in the same way. The sooner you begin (re)introducing your pet to the new routine, the better. It’s ok for your dog or cat to make mistakes or have accidents, but if your pet is having difficulty and increasing their destructive behaviors while you are gone, then you should seek veterinary help. - Maintain an exercise routine.
Of course, daily walks or playtimes with your pet may be a little shorter or occur at different times, but exercise contributes to physical and mental health, for both you and your pet. Most cats prefer short bursts of play, so they likely won’t mind if their play times start occurring at different times of the day. - Explore pet daycares or dog walkers.
The extra activity will alleviate some of their stress due to a pet parent being around less often, and the exercise will benefit their overall health. Or, get creative and explore a neighborhood initiative where pets alone at home can be cared for by neighbors. If some people work weekends and others not, get pets together and alternate who cares for them based on their schedules. - Don’t be afraid of technology.
There are so many new technology-driven options that can help us stay connected to our pets while we’re away – automatic feeders that distribute kibble on a schedule or devices that “play” with your pet can help create some distraction when they are home alone. These can help with the transition and make our lives easier. It’s ok to use these kinds of tools!
The good news is the human-animal bond is resilient. You can find comfort in the strong bond between you and your pet (that has grown even stronger during the pandemic) and know pets will adapt gradually. As always, if your pet is displaying excessive signs of anxiety, for example, destroying the house or presenting concerning behavioral issues, don’t feel embarrassed to seek medical advice from your trusted veterinarian.
Dr. Darcia Kostiuk is the senior veterinarian behind ACANA pet foods. She has over 20 years of veterinary experience and is the proud pet parent of Max, Ruby, Jinxi and Ember.