Pets Cope with Loneliness as Kids Go Back to School

Getting ready for the start of classes means buying books, packing lunches and picking out that first-day outfit. But it's not just children who need help adjusting from a relaxed summer routine to a regimented school schedule. Your pet needs your attention too, according to veterinarians.  

With children back in classes and parents working long hours, animals might feel anxious when suddenly left home alone for an extended amount of time, vets say. 

To avert pet anxiety, Hermosa animal owners try a variety of methods. 

Matt Castle takes his golden retriever to a canine daycare called the Grateful Dogs Clubhouse.

"It's a boarding place for dogs in El Segundo," Castle explained. "They do a full service for the dogs, with haircuts and baths for the pets. They also offer training there."

Another local dog owner, Robert Bobby, uses a different tactic that he said works effectively. He takes his black Labrador to his mother-in-law's house during the day.

"She has a big yard for her to play in," Bobby said. "She throws the ball to the dog to fetch."

But if you need to be gone for the day and the only option is leaving your pet home alone, there are ways to make it easier on the animal, said Caroline Patton, manager of the Hermosa Animal Hospital. When taking a child to school, or locking up the house for a day away at the office, she said it's best not to indulge your pet with a long goodbye.

"Don't make them think it's something out of the ordinary if you leave," Patton said. "Distract them by giving them a treat, so that you're teaching them that your leaving the house is a good thing. If you make something good happen when the bad thing happens, they'll want to stay at home."

It's also helpful if your pet has another animal to play with while you're away.

That's the case for Hermosa resident Steve Volk, whose Pomeranian and English bulldog keep each other company while he's not home. 

"The dogs usually take care of themselves," he said.

For dogs that whimper, howl or bark nonstop when left alone, Patton suggested giving them something to keep them occupied.

"Sometimes people recommend having music on, or a TV on to distract [the pet], or to have noise in the house," Patton said. "There are toys that are battery-operated that open up and pop up. They're something they have to spend more time with when you leave."

In rare instances, pets may chase after the owner as he or she tries to leave the home, fearing separation.

"If any pets are that bad, there are medications," Patton said.

Owners can also get in touch with animal behaviorists who can sometimes train the pets to act properly.