Back to School for Pets

As the kids pick out new backpacks and teachers prepare for their first day back to school, don't ignore the family pet. After a summer full of romps in the backyard, walks at the park and extra cuddle time, family pets don't understand the sudden change of schedule when the school bell begins to ring again.

Help your dog, cat or even pet hamster transition into a fall schedule by creating self-guided daytime activities, plan for evening playtime together and help calm any anxieties the pet may experience.

Daytime Activities for Pets
When left alone, pets will create their own fun. Chasing and chewing their own tail, digging a hole in the carpet or even seeing how many things they can knock off a shelf may seem like a good idea when everyone has left for work and school during the day.

Alleviate anxiety and boredom by leaving the pet with a self-guided activity during the day. For dogs, try stuffing a hard rubber Kong toy with dog biscuits or a smear of peanut butter. Or offer a dog that loves to chew a boiled cow knuckle bone. For cats, hang a feather or catnip toy from a door knob for hours of enjoyment. For pet birds consider making a seed treat stick from their favorite seed blend and creamy peanut butter. Give hamsters a cardboard toilet paper tube filled with alfalfa to shred.

Evening Playtime for Pets
After spending the day in a kennel or alone in the house, pets need stimulation to maintain their physical and mental health, according to the Canine Coach . Plan to take a dog for a walk, throw toys across the floor for a kitten or supervise the hamster while he cruises around the house in his hamster ball.

Even if your evening schedule fills up fast, spend a few minutes multi-tasking. While preparing dinner or helping the kids with homework let the pet bird sit on your shoulder. While mowing the lawn (in a fenced yard) let the dog run and chase a ball. When unwinding with a favorite television show in the evening give the cat extra cuddles in your lap.

If we don't keep pets busy, they will find things to do around the house on their own. Negative behaviors such as chewing on furniture, urinating in the house, excessive grooming, jumping on people and digging indicate boredom in pets, according to Doctors Foster and Smith.

References and Suggested Further Reading:
Doctors Foster and Smith: Solutions to Cat Boredom
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?aid=1639

The Canine Coach: Keeping your Dog Busy and Stimulated
http://www.thek9coach.com/articles/keep-busy.php

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