Separation Anxiety: Preparing Pets as Owners Go Back to Offices
Many companies are calling their employees back to work in offices. While some people have the luxury of hybrid schedules or even bringing pets to work; many must leave their beloved pets at home.
More than 23 million Americans added a cat or dog during the pandemic, said the ASPCA. That adds to the millions of U.S. households who already have pets. Those adopted during the pandemic are accustomed to having their parents at home 24/7 and especially suffer from separation anxiety.
“My dog barks if I even go upstairs now,” said Emily Campeas who has worked remote since March of 2020.
Pet owners, in turn, treat their animals more like humans than ever before. The humanization of pets makes it even harder to leave them. Pets provided a substitute during the pandemic for the interactions experience person-to-person in offices
The good news is that even as people go back to work outside of their homes, the majority are not giving up their beloved pets—they’ve become part of the family. Despite many reports of rampant returns of pets adopted during the pandemic, The ASPCA reported the majority of adopters, 87%, are not considering rehoming in the near future.
The ASPCA offers advice on making the transition back to outside work. Maintaining a routine is a good first step— make meals and walk times the same daily. Ease into the new schedule with small spurts of alone time away from you for your pet. Make sure there is ample time for “play” when you are home. Rotate toys to keep pets engaged when you are gone. Toys that integrate hidden treats can be especially useful.
Brenda Janner, owner of Beg n’Bark, a pet sitter in Princeton, N.J., likes to leave music or the television on for pets—especially cats who like shows with fish and birds, she said.
She also advised keeping an eye out for signs of anxiety which might require contacting a certified animal behaviorist, veterinary behaviorist or animal trainer.
To learn more about the “humanization” of pets read here.