As the country gears up to ease regulations amid the Coronavirus pandemic and re-open the economy, employees are also preparing to return to the office.
Although large offices will remain closed for a couple of weeks or so, plenty of workers will still have to wake up early, brave the morning chill and commute to their workstations.
Leaving home for work can take a toll on your furry friend. After spending weeks or months together during the stay-at-home orders, your pet might become a little bit anxious when it’s time to return to the office.
Dealing with separation anxiety in dogs can be tricky for you and your pet, and it might take some time for your furry friend to re-adjust to the new normal.
Just like babies and toddlers, dogs are super social, and if it were up to them, they would rather have you around for 24 hours in a day. Now that you have to go back to work, it would take massive adjustments for them to cope.
Some dogs could get up to mischief as a way of relieving stress while others might hurt themselves as a way of coping. The earlier you help your dog cope with the situation the better.
But first, you need to know the symptoms of separation anxiety in dogs. Here are a few warning signs to consider:
- Chewing electrical cords
- Pacing around the compound
- Digging and destruction
- Urinating and defecating
- Stuffing out of couches or beds
- Falling off the couch
- Destroying their toys
- Damaging furniture and other household items
If you decided to adopt a puppy during self-isolation then expect loads of crying, howling and wailing, as it will take a bit of time for your little pup to get used to you not being around.
Another important aspect to consider is weight gain. It is so easy for dog owners to spoil their pets with treats and snacks. But since we love walking them several times a day, we are able to beat the boredom and manage their weight at the same time.
With the newfound lack of exercise, your dog is likely to pile on the pounds and become overweight.
Considering this, you are advised to make dietary and lifestyle changes to help manage your dog’s weight. You can start by cutting out the snacks and then taper with their food such that they only eat when you are around.
On the flip side, separation anxiety is not a thing for cats. In fact, your feline friend will be so happy when you go back to work. So don’t expect much.
