Leaving your perfect pooch or kitty to go to work can sometimes be the hardest thing to do, but in most cases, it’s a necessity (we WISH we could take our cat into work with us). But as much as you know you have to, leaving them by themselves at home can make you feel incredibly guilty. What if they get lonely? What if they get bored? Well, here are five smart ways to keep your pet happy while you’re at work all day.
Tire them out
One of the best things you can do before you go to work is to tire out your pet and stimulate their minds, so they don’t get as bored as quickly. If you can, take your dog for a walk, for a run, or have a game of fetch to exert as much energy as possible. If you have any other pet, just give them a bit of attention. Play with your cat, or try and train it. Attempt to stimulate them as much as possible before you leave. This will calm them down when they are left on their own.
Give them distractions
Sitting in a room, with the curtains closed, and silence for company, is enough to make any animal go mad – so think about this before you leave for work. Leave the TV on, turn the radio on, and leave the blinds or curtains open. This way, your pet can focus on something other than the fact that you aren’t there. If you have a dog, there is even a designated doggy TV channel which plays dog-friendly shows all day, every day. Don’t start watching it yourself, it’s quite addictive and you’ll never go to work!
Try and visit them
Obviously, for many people, this isn’t possible. But if you do have a spare ten minutes in your day, and your house is easy to get back to, try and pop in to say hello to your pets. Even if it is just for a short while, your dog will appreciate the short burst of attention and excitement, which will get them through the rest of the day. If you can’t do it, you could always hire a pet care provider who will drop in on your pets whenever you want to see how they’re doing.
Give them puzzle toys
One of the main ways to keep your dog happy when they’re by themselves is to ensure they are kept busy – and there are loads of toys on the market to do this. Many pet owners find that freezing their dog’s favorite toys in blocks of ice proves the most popular among their pets. Not only does it keep them hydrated, but it’s also important as they focus on getting their toy out – rather than ruining your couch cushions because they’re bored.
Give them a secure space
All pets are different. Some like to bound about through the house when they’re alone, whereas others get very anxious and like their own safe spaces. This could be a crate, a box, or a little den that you have made for them. If this is the case, make sure this den is kitted out with everything your pet would need, like toys and food. This means they can stay in there and feel safe until you get home from work.