How Back-to-School Can Affect Your Pets

Lisa Selvaggio
by Lisa Selvaggio
Updated:  September 1st, 2023

Ah, back-to-school season. Students are getting ready to head back to the classroom or the dorm room, and parents are preparing for some changes in their schedule as they make sure all of their kids have what they need to succeed. But have you thought about your pets? After spending more time with the people they love during the summer, they can also feel the effects of the changes that come this time of year.

Sarah Lew/Shutterstock

What are the effects of back-to-school on pets? Below are a few of the ways that dogs and cats can be impacted, along with tips on how to make them feel better. 


Being Home Alone Might Lead to Stress, Depression, Boredom, or Anxiety 


Whether it’s from a big change in their routine or the result of being home alone for longer than they’re used to, some pets might become depressed, anxious, or bored while everyone is at school and work. And it can be especially distressing if your pet is attached to someone who’s going off to college and won’t be home for weeks or months at a time.   


If you’re able to  keep an eye on your pet when you aren’t home with a security camera or pet camera, you might see signs that your companion is stressed or unhappy. For example, they might vocalize, pace and look for you, hide, avoid eating, or exhibit destructive behaviors like house soiling or scratching and chewing on your things.  


Both  dogs and cats can experience separation anxiety, and it might become a problem during this time of year. Whether you already know that your pet suffers from separation anxiety, perhaps because of a difficult past, or you’re just recognizing this problem now, the good news is there are  things you can do to help your pet adjust and feel comfortable with being home alone.    


School Supplies and Lunches Might Be Toxic to Pets 


Another thing to consider is that some school supplies, and even some of the foods you pack for your kids’ lunch, can be toxic to pets. So, it’s important to keep those out of reach of your furry friend. 


Make sure everyone in the family knows about these risks, and create a routine that will ensure products and foods aren’t easy for your pet to access. A clever dog might be able to figure out how to get into a lunchbox or backpack, so have a space in your home where these can be kept off the floor and away from your companion while your kids are home from school. 


How to Help Your Pet Move Through Back-to-School Season with Ease


Here are some tips to help make back-to-school season easier on your pet:


Use Environmental Enrichment to Prevent Boredom


To help keep your pet occupied while you aren’t home,  enrich their environment. There are plenty of simple ways to go about doing so. For instance, some dogs and cats might feel calmer when soft music is playing at a low volume or when they’re able to watch cute videos made for pets, or you can set up a bird feeder in your backyard so your kitty can watch birds and squirrels while lounging on a  cat tree. And you can leave toys, puzzle feeders, and snuffle mats out for your pet to enjoy (just be sure they’re safe for your companion to use while you aren’t there to supervise). 


A great example is the  OurPets Sushi Treat Puzzle Toy, which both dogs and cats can use throughout the day to get tasty treats. It’s a good way to provide your pet with mental stimulation while you aren’t home, as they need to figure out how to open the compartments to find the food inside. Plus, it’s designed to be easy to clean. 

Change Your Routine Before School Starts


Rather than shocking your pet with a sudden change in their routine, consider gradually shifting your schedule as the new school year approaches. You might go out with your kids for a bit in the morning so your pet gets used to everyone leaving at that time of day. As your pet adjusts, you can increase the amount of time you spend away from home so that, by the time school starts, they’ll be used to being home alone for hours at a time. Plus, taking this step may even be helpful for you and your kids, as adjusting to waking up earlier and heading out the door on time can be tough for everyone.  


Have Someone Spend Time with Your Pet During the Day


Whether it’s a family member, friend, or pet sitter, having someone visit your pet during the school day might help them feel less lonely and less stressed. Have someone you trust play with your cat or take your dog for a walk. Your companion will get some interaction and exercise, and might end up relaxing for a nap until your family gets home.  


Show Your Pet Loads of Love When You’re Home


Although mornings can certainly be hectic, if you can spend some time with your pet before you leave, such as by going for a walk with your dog or  playing with your cat, do so. And, when everyone gets home for the day, definitely make sure your pet gets the attention they crave so they don’t feel left out.  


Get Another Pet


If you have only one cat or one dog, and you think that they would benefit from the company of another pet, there are many animals waiting for homes in shelters all over the country. Just be sure to follow the right steps for introducing a new  cat or  dog to your family so it can go as smoothly as possible.  


Back-to-School Doesn’t Have to Be Stressful


With the right plan in place, you can ease everyone in your family, including your pets, into a new routine when it’s time to go back to school. But if you’ve tried various tactics and nothing seems to work at putting your pet at ease, consider talking to your veterinarian or a dog or cat behaviorist. They can provide personalized tips based on your individual pet’s needs, and they can recommend products that may help reduce stress and anxiety.  

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Lisa Selvaggio
Lisa Selvaggio

Lisa Selvaggio is a freelance writer and editor, and our resident cats-pert, with certifications in pet nutrition and pet first aid. She enjoys producing content that helps people understand animals better so they can give their pets a safe and happy home.

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Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects humans and can be manifested in a variety of ways, most of which are related to challenges with social skills, communication, and interaction with the world itself. While the many sides of the autism spectrum are well understood and documented, there’s a lot that remains a mystery, such as the question if autism is specific to humans – or more precisely: can a dog be autistic?Canine autism is still not officially recognized in veterinary medicine in the same way it is in humans, however, there are some behaviors in dogs that can resemble traits associated with autism in humans, leading some pet owners and veterinarians to use the term "autistic" in order to describe them more specifically. Here is all that you need to know about this complex topic.Can a Dog Be Autistic?Some dogs may exhibit behaviors that are similar to those seen in autistic individuals. For example, some dogs may exhibit repetitive behaviors. This might include excessive licking, tail chasing, pawing, or pacing. In fact, they get so repetitive that it quickly becomes abnormal. Besides all this, some “autistic” dogs can have difficulties with social interactions. In these cases, they might be less responsive to social cues, avoid eye contact, or prefer being alone. Similarly, some dogs can have overwhelming sensitivity to various stimuli. This means that certain dogs might be overly sensitive to sounds, lights, or touch – things that seem ordinary in most cases. These behaviors could be due to various factors, including genetic predispositions, developmental issues, or environmental influences. Some dogs may also be affected by canine-compulsive disorder (CCD). Similar to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in humans, dogs with CCD engage in repetitive behaviors that are difficult to interrupt. This can contribute to autistic behaviors. The same goes for dogs with sensory processing disorders. In such cases, they might have abnormal sensory processing, making them overly reactive or unresponsive to certain stimuli. Ultimately, though not well-defined, certain neurodevelopmental issues could lead to behaviors reminiscent of autism. Either way, in the case that your dog exhibits any of these symptoms, it is important to seek professional help. Working with a professional dog trainer or a veterinary behaviorist can help you address problematic behaviors and deal with them efficiently. After all, autistic dogs can be as happy and normal as all other pets. Providing mental and physical stimulation through toys,  puzzles, and regular exercise is very important, however, as it ensures that they remain happy and active. 

Can Counterconditioning Help My Reactive Dog?

Caring for and managing a reactive dog can be incredibly frustrating. Your dog may be a sweet angel at home, but they suddenly evolve into a barking, growling, lunging whirlwind when out in public.Luckily, there is hope!Overcoming reactivity is a process that will not happen overnight. However, dog trainers and behaviorists have seen great success with positive reinforcement techniques like counterconditioning.This article will explore how counterconditioning works, the steps involved in the process, realistic timelines and expectations, and tips for a successful journey toward a calmer, more confident dog. Get started today!What is Counterconditioning for Dogs?Let’s start at the beginning—what exactly is counterconditioning, and why is it recommended for managing and treating reactive dogs?Counterconditioning is a behavioral modification technique that focuses on changing your dog’s emotional response to a specific stimulus.For example, some dogs feel fear and anxiety at the sight of another dog. This could be due to a lack of socialization, meaning they weren’t taught that other dogs can be friendly. It could also be a reaction to a past trauma, like having been attacked by another dog. In these situations, counterconditioning can be used to teach your dog that the sight of another dog leads to a positive experience.Why is this an effective approach for addressing reactivity? Reactivity, by definition, is an overreaction to a trigger. While this is often associated with fear or anxiety, some reactive dogs become overly excited. An overexcited dog may jump all over strangers not because they are trying to cause harm but because they are so excited to see them that they can’t control their response.If you have identified your dog’s triggers, you can use this training approach to teach them to respond in a new (and better) way.What Can Counterconditioning Be Used to Treat?Reactivity isn’t the only behavioral condition that can be treated with counterconditioning. This technique can be used to address a wide spectrum of situations in which a pet may be responding to a situation or trigger in an unwanted way.Some situations where it is commonly recommended include helping dogs overcome specific fears or phobias as well as managing or overcoming behaviors related to obsessive-compulsive disorder.Common fears that may be addressed with counterconditioning include: Fear of car ridesAnxiety when visiting the vetNoises (fireworks, thunder)Babies (especially the sound of crying)Strangers or other dogs in publicAllowing guests to enter their homePhysical triggers like cars or bicyclesDogs who dislike grooming, like brushing or having their nails trimmedIf you believe this approach may be helpful in your dog’s unique situation, we recommend speaking with a behaviorist.You can find professionals in your area by browsing the American College of Veterinary Behaviorists website list or the Animal Behavior Consultants Directory by the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior.

Missing 80-Year-Old Woman Found Thanks to Her Loyal Dog

The dedication and loyalty shown by “man’s best friend” has been long documented, from tales of heroic police K9s protecting their handlers to dedicated service dogs. But a recent story out of Utah shows just how far a loving dog will go to keep their person safe.The Emery County Sheriff’s Office in east-central Utah received a report of a missing 80-year-old woman. The elderly woman from Colorado had been visiting family when she took the family dog for a walk and never returned. Even more concerning, the missing woman had dementia. Recognizing this was a high-risk situation, a search was quickly organized, including multiple rescue crews, Ralph Mitchell, a local neighbor and friend of the family, James Thomas, a K9 Officer with the Utah Department of Wildlife Resources, and his canine partner, K9 Kip. It was a multi-agency effort to locate the woman quickly. Temperatures in the area rose to nearly 100 degrees during the day and dropped to 55 degrees at night. The situation was dire. The hot daytime temperatures slowed the search, forcing the teams to work when it was safe at night. After searching continuously for two days and two nights, Thomas and K9 Kip heard a dog barking briefly around 3:30 AM. Listening carefully, they tried to follow the sound but were unable to find the dog before it stopped. Thomas wasn’t the only one who heard the barking—Mitchell heard it, too! “When I was out checking the outbuildings, I heard a dog bark, and it was brief,” Mitchell explained. “I was in a very good position to get a direction on where this dog bark was coming from.” While Mitchell wasn’t able to pinpoint the bark's exact location, he was able to determine an approximate zone. On day three, the search crews accessed security cameras in the area, scanning the footage for any sign of the woman. Much to their surprise, they spotted her walking with her dog, heading east. “It was the first evidence that we had of her presence, and it gave us a timeline of when she was out walking and how long she’d been missing,” Mitchell stated. Focusing their efforts on the area they had seen her walking toward, the searchers split up and covered as much ground as they could. Not long into the search, they heard the sound again—barking. This time, they were able to follow the barks over steep, rugged terrain that had already been ruled out as too challenging for a woman of her age. Against all odds, there she was. On day three, they found her lying, fast asleep, with her face down. Her dog, 5-year-old chocolate lab Elsie, was lying beside her, sounding the alarm with her barks to call for help. While the two were dirty and dehydrated, they were in surprisingly good shape. Elsie had shown her loyalty to the family, keeping the woman safe and calling for help. In fact, searchers credited the dog with saving the woman’s life. It was a happy ending and a beautiful example of the true power of the loving bond that exists between a dog and their person. Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter  here.

Using Innovative Cat Treats To Help Keep Your Pet’s Teeth Clean

NOTE: This is sponsored content produced in partnership with PetSmartCats are more than just pets; they're family. As loving cat owners, we strive to provide the best for our feline friends, ensuring they lead happy, healthy lives – and that starts with oral hygiene. Yes, keeping those pearly whites sparkly and that tuna breath less fishy might not be the first thing that came to mind when talking about the overall well-being of cats, but it’s true.Poor oral health can cause a variety of health issues for felines, ranging from gingivitis to serious systemic issues due to bacteria from the mouth entering your pet’s bloodstream. Needless to say, your kitty’s dental health should be taken seriously. That’s why we’re always on the lookout for some great products that can help maintain good oral hygiene without being difficult to use (brushing a cat’s teeth is not the easiest feat in the world, you’ll admit) – and Ark Naturals line of dental products called Kiss Me-Ow checks all of our little boxes.Made with the uniqueness and pickiness of felines in mind, these products cater to their taste preferences while addressing their dental needs. Whether your cat loves crunchy treats or prefers something soft and lickable, Kiss Me-ow has the perfect solution in the form of dental chews or liquid treats. 

How to Introduce Your Cat to Your Baby

Are you preparing to welcome a new baby, and you want to be sure that your fur baby will be ready for such a big change? Cats are creatures of habit, so major shifts in their daily life, which happens when a child is born, can cause them to feel stressed. But if you take the right steps in advance and after you bring your baby home, you can ensure everyone in your family will adjust to the changes without anxiety.Check out the tips below on how to introduce your cat to your newborn.

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