Well it happened…back to school is finally here. After the initial complaining, the kids are probably already happy being back to the routine. On the other hand, you may notice your pets having a harder time with the transition.
Raising a child to be a responsible pet owner happens in the here and now, so here are some tried and true tips to use this school year for your kids…and pets!
Interactive pet toys are worth the investment! With the kids gone all day, a pet’s life can seem pretty doggone boring. Kong Wobbler and SPOT Seek a Treat Shuffle Bone for dogs and Trixie’s 5-in-1 Activity Center for cats are just a few of the fun puzzles that are mentally stimulating and keep pets active until the kids come home. Check out places like Katzenbarkers, Petco, Pet Smart….or log onto Amazon.
Play the Radio on Low! Admit it, in the summer the house is usually a cacophony of noise with kids romping around, TV’s playing and IPods and every other electronic doodad running. The family pet gets pretty comfortable around the hustle and bustle and actually has no problem napping in the midst of it. When kids go back to school, the quiet can be deafening and stressful. Many pet owners opt to leave the TV on as background noise so the home seems more “normal” for Fido and Fluffy. The sound of voices talking or singing is comforting for both dogs and cats until the family returns home and life is good again!
Now is a good time for your child to have a daily pet routine! During the summer pets get used to the activity level they share with the kids. Whether yours spent the summer playing in the backyard or splashing in a pool or vegging on movies or video games in the evening…the pets and kids (at least from the pet’s perspective) were best buddies! When the kids go back to school, life gets more exciting for them…but pets can experience some serious separation anxiety.
NOW is a great time to instill pet responsibility by teaching them despite their busier schedule they may NEVER forget their furry best friends! As a parent, you can help them create a daily routine ensuring both kids and pets will keep spending quality time together. Some suggestions to consider: A walk or play time in the morning before heading to school; special attention and play time upon returning home from school; and why not set a good example with some active family time with the pets in the evening!
This is a valuable lesson your kids won’t learn in school. It’s a lesson that will teach them how to become responsible and caring pet owners…for life!
Finally, plan Fun Activities for Your Pets
Obviously now that the family pets will be spending more time alone than they like, it even more important to plan after school and weekend activities that involve the whole family…pets included! A trip to the dog park, a stroll around the neighborhood, tossing tennis balls in the backyard…anything to provide the attention they need and deserve!
Hopefully this friendly reminder makes the school year a little better for your whole family!
