(BPT) – Over the past 18 months, you may have spent more time at home than ever before, and your pets have become accustomed to it. Between extra treats and more frequent play, walk and cuddle times, your pet has probably loved having you around. But if your office is gearing up to welcome employees back soon, it’s time to prep your pets now, to lessen their stress and anxiety when you need to be gone each day.
Review your current schedule
Most pets are pretty well tuned into your daily schedule, whether you know it or not. Take a look at your usual routine, including waking and sleeping times, when you feed your pet, times you go for walks, and what part of the day you spend the most time cuddling or playing with your pet.
Then compare that schedule with your expected return-to-office routine and ask:
- Will you wake up earlier and go to bed earlier?
- Will you have to feed your pet at different times, possibly fewer times than when you’re home all day?
- How long will your pet be left home alone?
- Do you need to set up a dog walker to make sure your pup can get outside?
Once you’ve compared the two schedules, here are tips to help ease the transition.
1. Make the change gradual
As soon as possible, start adjusting your schedule gradually until it matches what it will be when you return to work. This will help your pet – and you – make the switch, instead of suddenly shifting everything over. It may also help to make your weekend schedule more closely resemble your workday routine, even if that’s a bit painful.
2. Start leaving home for short periods
There’s one primary thing you need to get your pet used to: your absence. Take walks or drives without your pet for short periods each day, gradually making your errands or trips longer, so they’ll get used to the idea that you may leave, but you’ll always come back. This will be especially important for pets adopted during the pandemic, who haven’t experienced you leaving the house much.
3. Use tech solutions to reduce pet stress
Thanks to innovative technology from eufy Pet, you can see and actively engage with your dog using their Dog Camera D605. The camera has a 170-degree wide-angle lens that lets you see your dog clearly – even at night – via the eufy Pet app. Even better, the Dog Camera comes with a 3-distance, 270-degree rotatable treat-tossing feature, so you can play with your four-legged friend in a fun, engaging way to brighten their day. The device’s pet detection feature identifies your dog, and smart motion tracking follows them. If your dog barks, you’ll get an instant notification. With 2-way audio, you can tell your dog to stop before the neighbors start complaining. Daily interactions with your dog, and a view of their activity while you’re gone, will help your pet transition to the new routine and give you peace of mind.
“At eufy Pet, we believe every animal deserves a happy life, and with our new pet products, we’re dedicated to filling you and your bundle of fur’s life with more love, fun and convenience,” said eufy Pet’s general manager, Frank Zhu. “With the eufy Pet Dog Camera, dog parents can play more and worry less.”
4. Get a little help
You could also enlist the help of friends, family, a pet sitter and/or dog walker to visit your pet during the day, especially while you’re transitioning to the new schedule. Try to set up visits for the same time each day, so your pet will know what to expect. Another option is bringing your dog to a doggy daycare, which provides not only trained supervision, but also fun interaction with other pups.
5. Give them plenty of love
As you start heading back to the office, make sure to give your furry friend plenty of attention when you’re home. As long as they know you’re there for them every day, the transition should go smoothly.
