How to Avoid Separation Anxiety In Your Pet When You Go Back to Work

While many of us continue to social-distance as the pandemic rages on, some workplaces are slowly making attempts to return to normalcy. So, if your workplace is swinging back in action, you may need to make the new normal bearble for your pets too.

"As we get back to a semblance of life, as it were pre lockdown, many of us have done our best to prepare our pets to be able to spend time alone again. While these efforts may go a long way, we need to go that extra mile to keep our pets engaged while they’re alone," says Ruchita Avhad, Co-Founder, PetKonnect.  

So, here are her tips to avoid your furry friends from feeling separation anxiety while you work: 

Long Lasting Chew Toys

"We all know how much our pets love a good long-lasting chew toy. Investing in such toys helps our pets gnaw away at these toys for many hours in a day. Such toys have both mental and physical benefits. The fact that your pet would play with this toy for many hours, would keep them mentally engaged whilst also tiring their jaws out. Chew treats or sticks, also play a great role here, as they have the added benefit of keeping your pet satiated. Do remember to choose healthy chew treats that have no ill-effects on your pets wellbeing."

Nylabone Power Chew Bone Dog Toy - Peanut Butter, Rs 899, Amazon.in

DIY Toys 

"While you may give your pet access to some existing toys, you may even present them with a new toy. With many pet parents worried about buying a new toy from a retailer, given current circumstances, why not try making a DIY (Do it yourself) Toy. Check out the “Ball Tug Toy”. You can easily make this toy by taking an old t-shirt and cutting into three pieces. Take two of the pieces and tie them around a tennis ball to form a knot, that holds the tennis ball firmly. Take the remining piece to braid the 2 strips together. Sounds simple enough, right? Trust me, your pet is in for a treat!

Exercise 

"Making an effort to set your alarm 45 mins to an hour early could go a long way to keep your pet happy. Take them for a long walk or a good an tiring play session in the morning. This will help your pet tire out at the start of the day having an unquestionable, positive impact on the anxiety they may feel for the duration of the day. They will also be most grateful to you for spending that extra time with them, even if they can’t tell you. This morning session could also prove to be a great workout for you, so get creative!"

Creating A Positive Environment 

"Before leaving the house, make sure your pet has easy access to all their necessities such as food, water, toys, the bathroom and more. Knowing where everything is helps create ‘peace of mind’ which allows pets to relax and enjoy their time by themselves. This is a really important step, as there’s no point in leaving your pet with the best toy, if it’s too stressed to play with it. Keep these tips in mind before leaving the house in the morning, they will go a long way in ensuring your pet has a fun and stress-free day!"